Mayor: No veto on Military Ave. plan

GREEN BAY - In a corner of a busy Military Avenue business, The Pancake Place, several Green Bay alderman and one county official held a news conference. They are asking the mayor to veto the city council's decision on roundabouts.

"We're elected to represent the citizens of Green Bay. Their sentiment is against roundabouts," said Green Bay Alderman John VanderLeest.

The group represents the five aldermen who voted against building six roundabouts. They're also asking the seven council members who voted for it, to reconsider their votes.

Those council members say the roundabouts are the safest option and ask people to give the plan a chance.

Though council member Guy Zima has another view.

"Most cities that are successful don't have roundabouts," said Alderman Guy Zima.

However Mayor Jim Schmitt says he will not veto the city council's vote on roundabouts for Military Avenue. He also said he is disappointed in the council members who have come out against the plan.

"They want everything to stay the same. That's the 'do nothing group,'" said Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.

Schmitt also says it would be inappropriate to use his veto power for this situation, but he does plan to come up with a compromise by early next week.

"We wouldn't want to do anything that would have a negative impact," said Schmitt.

Those concerned council members say a better option would be an improved four or six lane road. However, the mayor says the city council's vote stands and is not detailing his plan for a compromise.

The concerned council members are also asking Green Bay residents to call the mayor's office to encourage him to veto the council's decision. The mayor's staff says so far it has received calls from 70 people against the roundabouts and 11 calls from people for them. They have even received a few calls from people outside of Green Bay against the roundabouts.