No joke: Owner of Sobelman's fumes over comments by state lawmaker

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The streetcar debate in Milwaukee has hit the hamburgers -- after a state legislator levels criticism at the owner of Sobelman's. The representative says he was joking, but the business owner is not smiling.

"It is, you know, pretty embarrassing for the state of Wisconsin when one of our representatives comes out against an individual's right, you know, freedom of speech, to have an opinion on a political issue," said Ned Purtell, a customer at Sobelman's.

The issue is Milwaukee's proposed $123.9 million downtown streetcar system. The opinion involves Dave Sobelman's opposition to the proposed streetcar.

The embarrassment comes from a recent Facebook post written by State Rep. Josh Zepnick. The post describes Sobelman's restaurant as being "crowded, staff is snotty/cranky all the frickin' time, parking sucks and it's not safe."

"I was more angry with the things he was saying about the neighborhood being unsafe. And we did crime stat check-ups, and in the last seven days, the Menomonee Valley is the safest place to be in Milwaukee," said Dave Sobelman, restaurant owner.

Finally, Zepnick's post shares a hope that the "city reconsiders (Sobelman's) sidewalk seating permit for this summer!!! Bwah ha ha."

"The guy, he knows nothing. He's so unknowledgeable. And how he can be an Assemblyman and represent us? Wow. Anybody could do it, I guess," said Sobelman.

Rep. Josh Zepnick issued the following statement late on Wednesday:

Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan also issued a statement on this issue Wednesday:

Alderman Donovan is an opponent of the proposed downtown streetcar project.