This week is nuts . . . too much news, too little time. Right now I’m missing the press conference on the Dane County Supervisor’s Report on Racial Equity – can’t wait to see that report too! But that will have to wait!
Dear members of the Dane County Board and County Executive Parisi –
At its August 2015 membership meeting, the Democratic Party of Dane County adopted a resolution, found below, asking to have the “bench ordinances” as proposed by the City of Madison rejected. The resolution was by adopted unanimously.
Although the resolution was largely targeted at the City of Madison’s policy-making body, there are occasional overlaps with County Board members on several committees the ordinance will appear before. This most recent 2015 resolution also renews an earlier resolution from August of 2013, asking for the speedy realization of a day shelter. That resolution was aimed specifically at the County Board – and to date, remains unfulfilled.
Since our August 2015 membership meeting, we have also had what we will call “unconfirmed reports” that the day shelter will not open in time for the winter of 2015-2016. We trust that this is only a communications mixup, and that Dane County will not go a 3rd winter in failing to open a day shelter.
The 2015 resolution appears below, as well as the August of 2013 resolution. We look forward to the speedy implementation of the parts that are within the purview of Dane County.
Thank you for your attention in this matter, and for your work on behalf of Dane County. As always, we look forward to working with you to make Dane County a great place to live for all of its residents. If there are ways that we can assist, please do contact us.
On behalf of the Dane Dems,
Erik Paulson
Vice Chair, Communications
Democratic Party of Dane CountyWHEREAS, new ordinances have been proposed for the City of Madison that would, for most of the day and night, broadly limit access to downtown public benches for a maximum of one hour, as well as prohibit lying on benches. The ordinances would also prohibit sitting or lying on sidewalks, steps, walls, and some city land in those same areas and similar times; and
WHEREAS, the intended goal of the ordinances is to discourage usage by a small number of individuals who are perceived to be disruptive; and
WHEREAS, the ordinances will burden many individuals who cause no trouble but struggle without access to permanent shelter and security; and
WHEREAS, excessive criminalization has been recognized as a major contributor to inequitable outcomes with justice, especially for matters of race and class; and
WHEREAS, experience with similar ordinances in San Francisco has been that nearly all of the citations issued were to repeat violators of the law, and more than half were issued to just four individuals. Repeatedly fining and arresting of these handful of individuals, who are often chronically homeless and have significant health conditions, did not result in significant behavioral changes;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Democratic Party of Dane County calls on the City of Madison to set aside the proposed new ordinances; and
RESOLVED, The Democratic Party of Dane County calls on City Committees and the Common Council to spend their time discussing more effective strategies for reducing homelessness in place of debating these proposed ordinances; and
RESOLVED, The Democratic Party of Dane County renews its 2013 Resolution calling for the swift opening of a daytime shelter and service hub for homeless residents, and expands that call to urge the City of Madison and Dane County to work together in opening a comprehensive service center while we work to fully implement a Housing First strategy and fully realize the Zero 2016 campaign to end veterans homelessness by the end of 2015 and chronic homelessness by the end of 2016.
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August of 2013: Resolution in Support of a Homeless Day Shelter
WHEREAS, Dane County budgeted for the acquisition and operation of a permanent Day Shelter and Service hub for the Homeless to open sometime in 2013;
WHEREAS, Despite the well-intentioned efforts of many, a permanent site is unlikely to be secured by November 1st 2013;
THEREFORE, RESOLVED,, the Democratic Party of Dane County calls on Dane County to ensure that a Day Shelter, with a level of service that matches or exceeds the shelter operated by the County in 2012-2013, be available from November 1st 2013 to March 31st 2014, and
RESOLVED, the Democratic Party of Dane County calls for the consideration of operating a temporary shelter at the same location as 2012-2013, and
RESOLVED, the Democratic Party of Dane County calls for work to continue towards a permanent year-round solution.
