LETTER: Don’t disparage power plant, it means a lot to City of Port

To Ozaukee Press:

Over the past few months I have heard discouraging remarks about the We Energies power plant in Port Washington.

Things such as: “that old ugly building, they should have built at another location, you know we could do all sorts of things with that property.”

I believe the residents of Port Washington need a finance and history check.

First, the power plant is very well kept, one of the best kept properties in the city.

Second, because of the power plant in Port many improvements were made to the harbor. The power company needed the harbor deeper to handle the coal boats.

Third, one of the past city mayors fought to keep the substantial amount of revenue paid to Port by the state in lieu of taxes on the power plant.   Fourth, thousands of people were positively affected by the plant. There were well-paying jobs. Many families were raised on the wages brought home by power plant employees. These people helped build the city.

Fifth, the city has had at least two mayors and a number of alderpersons who were employed by We Energies, including a current member of the Common Council.

Sixth, three generations of my family have worked for We Energies.

One final note: There was nothing like spending an evening in the downtown Dairy Queen parking lot watching a coal boat being unloaded and enjoying a soft-serve cone.

Ann Louise Lorge

Port Washington