LETTER: Reopen Wisconsin, trust our local businesses to do it safely

To Ozaukee Press:

What if the Ozaukee Press printed an editorial and no one read it?

Well, we did read the editorial that asked, “What if they reopened the economy and no one came?” and our question is, did a Press reporter actually attend the Madison rally on April 24? We were there.  We disagree with the editorial’s viewpoint. We would characterize the rally as patriotic, rather than political. People were peacefully waving American flags and displaying signs such as “Open Wisconsin” and “Working Lives Matter.”

Those in attendance were small-business owners and families practicing their right to peacefully assemble and voice their displeasure with Gov. Evers’ policies.

As your editorial mentioned, Port Washington State Bank should be applauded.
They have supported local businesses for generations with their banking services.  They truly understand the purpose of a community bank.  

The PPP loans provide bridge loans to help businesses and our local economy survive. Gov. Evers, with his Badger Bounce Back Plan, does not fully understand, nor does he trust, local government units, businesses and individuals to make individual prudent decisions. Maybe his plan will work in large metropolitan areas such as Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha and Green Bay.

When one looks at the numbers in the majority of counties, 57 have had one or zero deaths from the deadly virus. The citizens who assembled at our state’s capital were asking only that the governor trust the prudence and intelligence of local communities to craft appropriate plans that safely meet their needs. Commerce takes a willing buyer and seller coming together to transact. That is the miracle of capitalism.

 We believe that the business owners of Port Washington and their customers are responsible citizens that can make individual decisions that benefit each other. We do not need Gov. Evers’ one-size-fits-all shut down to guide our individual liberty. If we can shop at Walmart, Cosco, Target and grocers in the area that are full of people, certainly we can allow our small businesses here in Port Washington to open if they wish.

Let’s find out the answer to the editorial question. What if they opened the economy and no one came?  If we don’t open up, we will never know. We trust our neighbors, businesses and individuals to make rational and thoughtful decisions for the benefit of our community. Perhaps Gov. Evers and your editorial writer should hold our fellow citizens in this same high regard.
                                                 

  Jamie Kitzinger                                              

Sandie Heinecke        

Susie Morton
                                          Port Washington