So, I went to the meeting about the “code of conduct” on the SW side expecting people to rail against “those people” on Section 8 and who wear baggy pants, but found something quite different. There ended up being very little talk about what the code of conduct actually said, except some concerns. The one person who was slightly offnsive was shut down immediately, perhaps making it so that others were discouraged from speaking up. Here’s the details [with comments] and I bolded some interesting statements. There were about 200 people who attended and about 10 people of color.
INTTRODUCTIONS
Don Severson from the Dane County Council of Public Affairs did a brief introduction, talked about the groups involved and talked about the ground rules. [If you are interested, you might want them join them in “fighting back” against Obama’s health care proposal at the town hall meeting they are supporting. In case you want to know more, they also endorsed Nancy Mistele.]
PURPOSE OF THE FORUM
Tom McKenna explained how this meeting came about. Says for 15 months people participated in the South West steering committee who created a neighborhood plan [I’d put in a link here, but the city’s website isn’t behaving at the moment.] for the area that was accepted by the Common Council. The plan addressed issues of the neighborhood. Major goals were to make changes to enhance the neighborhood and strengthen neighborhoods and he talks about 4 priority areas in the plan. He says the Meadowood community center is a result of the plan and a library is next. He says that the next priorities are to have a neighborhood network to disseminate information and establish a coalition of neighborhood associations. He talks about the press release from mayor [I’d put in a link here but the city website isn’t behaving.] saying that it is not work of city alone to solve the neighborhood problems, and that he can’t be successful without neighborhood leaders. He says that 6 weeks ago a couple of groups got together to say we need to address the mayor’s challenge. After being on steering committee, he took it upon himself to go to the city’s website and got info on all the neighborhood associations in the area and sent an email to presidents. They have held 2 meetings so far and he thanks people for joining them. Wants to join with Communities and Family’s United to have one voice to talk to the government about their needs.
RESIDENTS BILL OF RIGHTS AND CODE OF CONDUCT
David Glomp spoke next. He said he wants to make the neighborhood a better place to live. He will talk about the Resident’s Bill of Rights and Code of Conduct. He says that we all live by laws and rules and they protect our individual liberties. He says that the residents bill of rights is similar to the United States and State Constitution. He says that members of neighborhoods need to have enumerated the kinds of quality of life they want for their neighborhoods. They repeatedly said the documents were developed with all citizens and people in mind – honoring protected classes (race, religion, ethnicity) and they want to have dignity and respect for everyone. He says that most of the rights are self explanatory. Talks about the government agencies that can help. He calls the document should be called the Resident’s Great Expectations for the Good Quality of Life for All of Us. Some of the things he highlights from the agreement are:
– He says he wants the police to enforce the laws on the books, don’t need more laws. He just wants to assure that the ones on the books will be enforced.
– They also want to continue some laws – particularly the chronic nuisance ordinance [Sorry, site still down, so no link]. He says that two years ago it was brought up that is was difficult for landlords to deal with some of their residents and that is ordinance was a result. He says this will sunset this fall, and that they need this to enforce against bad landlords and in some cases bad residents. [That was an interesting change of wording from one sentence to the next. Not clear if he thinks the ordinance is for bad landlords or bad tenants.]
– Wants more information shared with the neighbors from the police.Wants to know what is going on in their neighborhood. That way they will feel safer.
– Neighborhood alliance will help agencies by being the eyes and ears in the neighborhoods. He notes that they added 30 officers in the last year, but only accounted for 5 new round the clock officers – takes 6 officers to staff a beat – so only 5 new full time positions.
– Need to be prepared to step up and address inappropriate behavior – not suggesting vigilantism – just vigilance.
– They want to partner with police, schools and PTOs to make sure people know these rules apply to everyone 24/7 for adults and youth.
– If we need new laws or ordinances or rules they expect elected leaders to make it happen. But they think there are enough laws.
– Wants the rules to be uniform so kids can’t say they don’t know the rules if the rules are the same in school and out. He wants people to think about the code as 10 commandments.
– He wants people to think of sharing the code of behavior with anyone behaving badly, explain how behavior is inappropriate – need to suggest better way, need to be conversational not confrontational. Not afraid to address those behaving badly. Protect the rights of citizens and neighborhoods. It can be done in a respectful and dignified way. Maybe all you say to someone that their action are bothersome and ask them to stop and make alternative suggestions.
-In a public place, he hopes other neighbors will step up and stand with you to address bad behaviors.
– Wants neighborhood associations to utilize the neighborhood watch groups in existence to inform neighbors of activities that have been bothersome, need good two way communication between police and coordinators. Need to have a dialog.
He says we can step up to the plate and be part of the solution. Don’t want to hide behind our curtains in our homes. Use bill of rights and conduct as starting point. Not all of these things raise to the level of a crime. We need to be the eyes and ears of the police. If behavioral issues or quality of life issues we need t talk to people creating the problem
SCHOOLS ROLES AND STRATEGIES
Don Severeson says schools are center of our neighborhoods. He points out the 12 schools involved with the neighborhoods. Explains some schools are not in the neighborhood, but kids from the neighborhood go to them. When talking about having residents involved, they need to be all inclusive regardless of where they go to school. Schools are center of neighborhoods and what goes on. What goes on in the schools affects students, staff and neighbors. He notes that across the school district 76% of households do not have children in the school. A lot of us residents that don’t have kids in the schools but still are committed to relationship with the schools. Some might have grandchildren in the school. We need to understand the expectations in the schools and some of us are going to have to learn some different skills and attitudes. We need to relate better and reach out. We need to establish relationships with staff, teachers, parents and kids. Last few years all the schools have adopted and are implementing policies. One policy is Above the Line, Below the Line and the Bottom Line. He notes there are some differences in how the schools implement it. Student and staff and parent handbooks. [He actually called them hymnals. twice. I guess we’re carrying out the religious them this week] The second policy is Positive Behavior Initiative [you need to sign in to see it.]. There are ways which staff and parents have been trained and students are engaged in learning about positive behavior. Suggests parents and the rest of us residents need to be more aware about those expectations are. So, when kids leave the school, it isn’t a different world they go into. Code of conduct and behavior is very closely aligned with those policies of the schools and school districts. They shouldn’t be any surprises. He lists some expections or things that nee to happen.
– They need to further identify or discuss what Dave started in terms of the aims of the code of conduct
– They need to make sure the public is aware of the expectations.
– The need to expect school to uniformly enforce and use restorative justice. He says people need to learn what “restorative justice” means.
– Expect parents to support school efforts at home and residents respect throughout the community. Being a parent is the only job left totally to on the job training.
– Wants schools to proactively seek collaboration with neighborhood associations and community groups to help develop the skills. Some of that is happening and there needs to be more and thinks it can be strengthened. Encourages schools to come out to the neighborhoods. He says the schools don’t get many volunteers. We need to reach out and ask specifically.
– Needs to create a communications network among all the stakeholders to encourage positive behavior. Alot going on and a lot is positive and need to build on that and identify shortcomings and collaboratively work together to build it and take positive steps.
HOUSING STRATEGIES
Tom McKenna – Talks about housing in the neighborhood. Wants to come up with suggestions in the housing area. He says it is easy for a tenant to be a good tenant and outlines what a good tenant needs to do:
– Know lease and follow it
– Pay rent on time
– Keep apartment clean
– Tell landlords about repairs
– Be a good neighbor
– Keep copies of all correspondence.
A good landlord has to:
– Keep property in good shape
– Screen tenants
He points out three people he thinks are good landlords [including Brent Milfort who is open ignoring Dane County Fair Housing Laws and proud of it.] The city through Building Inspection has a great 10 page brochure that spells out responsibilities of landlords and tenants. A couple things in there that are spelled out. He says if you don’t know who landlord is 32.08 requires that info of the contact person be included in the lease. MGO 27.04 requires in a 3 unit or more there must be a note in the hallway of who to contact. He talks about landlord registration and he says that if we know who they are because the information is hung in the hallway and we have police calls to an address and that is how you know if someone is a bad landlord then you can run the addresses of the owners of the property and contact them. [Sounds simple right, someone can just go to every rental property and collect that information out the the hallway of all the buildings, because you see those notices all the time, right? Yes, I’m being sarcastic]. He says one property had 123 calls to one address. Not all are bad requests. He says that we know who the bad landlords are already. We all have to “go after” the bad landlords – that is one for the reasons we have the chronic nuisance. Noise, drugs, criminal activities and code violations can be addressed. Wants to support chronic nuisance ordinance, lets property owners know the city is serious. He says if tenants are having problems they should call the landlord and if the landlord doesn’t fix the problem, call the Building Inspector, Health Department or Police Department. [Great advice! Should we just start having tenants call the police when they have tenant/landlord problems? Do they have time for thousands of calls per year?] He talks about how the neighborhood association should use neighborhood watch, should send landlord a notice when they are violating code of conduct and say “we’re giving you 5 days” and then we’re going to file complaints. Easy to complain about the tenants or bad landlords, but we all have to work together. We need to help the people who need the help because the properties are not being taken care of and the people in the properties need to take care of them too.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Severson review the rules:
– One person can speak at a time
– 2 minutes per resident for questions/comments
– Residents to identify self by name, neighborhood and affiliation (if any)
– Address question/statement to the chair and for which presenter
[I gotta say, it was much more respectful and better run that the Edgewater meeting where the alder was shouting down and cutting off people trying to speak.]
Severson asks Jim Monroe to speak first. He declines and says he wants to listen until he knows what he is commenting about. [He is the one organizing the event on Saturday. Sounded like he was waiting to see how nasty it got before he was portrayed as supporting some of the questionable items.]
John from Orchard Ridge says that up until a few years ago we didn’t have these problems, the problems moved in the last 3 – 4 years and wants to move the problems out.
Severson says that has been attempted for several years and it’s just moving the problem around the city – we need to address the problems
John says that if city officials had the same problems in their neighborhoods something would be done. There are a few audible displays of support.
Glomp asks what the behavior is.
John says one of problem is speeding. The problems were not here 5 or 6 years ago but something changed the complexion of the neighborhood. Why can’t we put the problems someplace else. City officials don’t want to deal with it, if you put them in their neighborhood they’d do something about it.
Severson said this should be referred for further discussion. Needs to be dealt with directly.
Larry from Orchard Ridge says that he surveyed Orchard Ridge neighborhood about what they needed, encourage tenants to be part of the community even though renters/tenants don’t seem to want to be part of or feel comfortable being part of the neighborhood. As part of community building they want renters to get involved in neighborhood assoc so we can work together.
Woman who lives on Balsam. Didn’t say her name because landlords might not rent to her if she wanted to move. She says the reason we have problems because so much development in the area and people moved out. Low interest rates helped people buy homes and now we have more rentals than tenants and landlords some of whom recently bought, can’t sell the properties, no one wants them and landlords need to look for renters who have money. She is on section 8, she is low income and disabled. She says that landlords will stack 2 or3 families in the units. Criminals have more money so they get rented to. One of the biggest mistakes people mistake is that people will recognize right and wrong cuz some have basic standards or ethics, some don’t know what to do. She says that when you approach people you need to be careful because some people just hear “you’re racist” or “you hate us”.
Alissa from Meadowood. She lived in the neighborhood 23 years. She points out that the group already violated the first item in the code of conduct – treating people with dignity and respect. She points out the comments about the changing “complexion of the neighborhood”. She says we need to be careful about how you choose your words. She points out that they were talking about people who behave differently needing to address their bad behavior. She says just because someone is different doesn’t mean they are bad. She says things are being things are being lumped together inappropriately. She says she moved there 23 years ago there was low income housing at the end of the block, people are people, people are different. She is a teacher, she says we have problems when people generalize and lump them together and not treat people with respect. Her question is about the bill of rights – who defines what is acceptable, normal behavior, who is establishing that list. She agrees about loud noises and understands that, but what about lawnmowers and leaf blowers before 10 on Sunday morning? She says she is serious about that and the room bursts into a round of applause.
Severson says that the definitions have to be determined by the residents. That will take involvement and participation. You will have the opportunity.
Someone asks what is the mechanism to determine what is acceptable behavior.
Severson says to work through SWANS (the 16 neighborhoods). and neighborhood groups and Families and Communities United (group planning Saturday’s event), Dane County Council on Public Affairs. [I don’t think this really answered the question, I left wondering what people were supposed to do if they were interested in being involved. I began to worry that the dog and pony show was all that was here and they didn’t really want people to be involved.]
Glomp says that he encourages everyone to participate – code of conduct and bill of rights is a starting point, not all inclusive, might not agree with it all. We need rules or we have bedlam or anarchy. We need to work together and if we don’t like something we need to make it work for all of us. Important for neighborhood and citizens. When one person’s right sare violation they don’t want to live here. Wants everyone to stay and be happy. This isn’t about an age group or ethnicity, renter or homeowner, we’re all in this together. [At some point, after he said these things for the third or fourth time, I began to think that they “doth protest too much”.]
Rich lives behind channel 3 for 5 or 6 years. He says his fortune cookie today said – if you want to have a good friend than be a good friend. He wants people to consider if they are being a good friend, that can make a big difference in how people teatr you. Being nice can go a long way. He says he likes being conversational not confrontational. It. goes a long way. He talks about the value of two neighbors talking over a fence. Wants to see groups working together, respecting different opinions. He suggestions that people should be connected to someone who you know is involved, you don’t have to do all the work, let them bring your opinion to the meeting. He wants them to respect diversity, he says it sounds simple but hard to do. He says someone driving down the road looking crazy might just be enjoying their favorite song.
Betsy from Greentree has been the Preident of the Toki PTO for 3 years. They have had forums and conversations with teachers and school staff and parents dealing with appropriate behavior in the school – didn’t take it as far as the neighborhood. What the district told us – the message was – appropriate behavior is in school code of conduct, but the real issue is whether what is in the code of conduct is being carried through the leaders in the schools. Would like school district to apply the code of conduct. Has examples and data about it not being done. She talks about being pushed up against lockers in the school and nothing done. Staff have been injured and nothing seems to be done and parents whose students who have been injured or crimes against students can’t find out if perpetrator has been disciplined. She says that the “25 bad landlords” or other things might sound good, but highly doubts that it can be done. Applauds the efforts, supports it and would have been involved at meeting one. Schools being involved need to look at leasedership and that they buy into it. She says they need to make sure the teachers are really trained in the Positive Behavior Initiative. [Someone sitting by me muttered, “where would the get the money to do that.” Good point!]
Dave Keller – grew up in Orchard Ridge – he’s a landlord and agrees there are problem landlords and there are problem tenants and both have the same problem, lousy behavior. Brought his son, thought mayor would be here – this is part of what we do at my house, we involved the kids and show them what is right and wrong and doesn’t see that going on, no parental involvement with children. Would be wonderful if neighbors knew each other – doesn’t know neighbors today, did 10 years ago, hasn’t taken the outreach step – would solve a lot of problems, need to know who lives next door and across the street. – his house and neighborhoods house broken into in broad daylight and we didn’t know who should be coming and going.
Pat – Golden Oak lane 32 years. Likes the want a friend be a friend – she thinks of this in terms of bridges and walls, we have developed a thinly veiled us and them mentality and the “them” are having a big event at Elver park on Saturday, “us” should also show up. She says we need to be bridges. We can have a code of conduct but until we build bridges, they won’t mean much. Things that are created unilaterally won’t be accepted, let’s all go to Elver Park. Let’s talk to each other and be the community we want to be and then talk about the rules on how we want to live together. Once again, the room burst into applause.
Charles from Midvale Heights – Asks panel and people who did the bill of rights? Asks why it is the citizens not the city or police that set the rules. Who will define the neighborhood and what is the mechanism to set the rules?
Glomp says that he wants them to work with use and join the committee and we will work on those that you like or dislike – that is why we are here tonight. [Ok, what committee, when and where does it meet, who is on it?]
Jim Monroe, minister and resident on Valley Ridge Drive in the Elver Park area. He says we need the freedom to speak up. Watching what they are trying to do, he says he is part of “us and them” process, he says there should be no ” us and them” just people. He’s trying to help the kids. Inside our community is auction that we need, that is you. You need to let them [kids] know that you care – otherwise they won’t listen or hear – not just black kid, kids, not Hispanic kids, kids. Too many issues to try to address but we need to open our minds and want to stop the problem then we as adults and parents need to make a concerted effort to not let the kids kill or steal or rob, we need to let them know we care, not that we are scared. If you send message that you are afraid they don’t know what to do – more applause
Florenzo from Allied Drive. We need to talk about public safety but also good and moral public policy. Looked over the bill of rights and some of the problems we have are not the same, we don’t have houses, working with the southwest neighborhoods is a good thing, but we need to have a lot more people on the end that need to follow the rules need to help create the rules. This singles out a lot of people. People on probation and parole have been judged already – shouldn’t have to be judged twice. When people on probation and parole get out of jail and some are found innocent, in the pool of public opinion get judged twice. Working in community sine 1997, he worked with the neighborhood center before it was the boys and girls club. Will be working on the YWCA project. We need programs, not buildings, you don’t change people by giving them toys, need to change their thought process, need to give them something new to think about to create a new person. Willing to extend a hand and work with whoever, but want people in community to be included in the process of the rules they need to follow – more applause
REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT OF OVERALL PLANS AND STRATEGIES
Asked for comments from groups – it was awkward as no one wanted to speak up.
Someone asks about the mayor. No one from the Mayor’s office attended.
A woman says that we need to change the mindset of the school board, can’t let the kids run the school – need to not send kids all over to Verona or to catholic school. If she did it over she would send kids to catholic school, but can’t afford Edgewood. [I don’t think that was what this section was about.]
Robert Howard – 28 years in the neighborhood, children went to Orchard Ridge nursery school. He says he sees some school people here and feels bad that you folks may not know that they are here and part of this thing. He’s a parent and works as a school social worker, commends the effort, good starting point and they certainly need some improvement and input from a range of people and the target folks, whomever they are, the them out there. I feel like a them, I certainly look like (he’s black) the stereotype and feels like he is. He says lots of people say they’re just kids and a lot of the behavior many not look so objectionable if they were kids that look like you. I wantched the movie a Time to Kill and heard the summation and those of you who have seen it know what he said.. Think of that and these are all kids and all want love and attention and support. When we have the diversity that we have and the changes in the last 30 years, and there is more understanding of that change and we don’t need to accept all of it but people need to understand the community they are building. He hopes to see people at Elver. If you want to make a difference in the lives of the kids you can – he has a long list of kids that could use the help and you don’t need to be afraid. Good neighborhood and it can be better – invite a kid or two to be on the body. Often comes and see few people of color and people come as they are able to come many feel it is difficult to come, but invites you to read the Madison Times, read the paper, advertise in the paper, if you want to make a difference. Come on out and get to know them, invite people of color to come. – applause.
Manny (Emanuel) Scarborough with the Elver Park Group. He asks how did we get here? Why are we here? What was the situation that caused us to be here? How long will you be here? Only meeting you will be at? What are the goals? Strategies to get us where we want to go? Those are the hard questions. Are we going to change, what do I have to do, what do I tell myself, how do we come together as a community to look at how we want to live and how what we want to do. This is not coming to one meeting, its climbing a mountain, put one foot in front of the other. If you want to be engaged, get together in small and large groups and make it a concentrated effort. He reminds people the world is changing . . . and kids don’t understand old people – applause
West District Police Captain Lengfeld – west district is busiest district, encouraging that this district is that there is so much involvement from the community and what the speakers have said is what the whole city should do. Need to get everyone to do. Landlord pacts, community groups working to solve the problems and it’s the only way to do it. Law enforcement is a short term solution and you all are working on long term solutions, thinks issues and concerns will be addresses. Need to continue to work together and only good things will come.
Sheriff Mahoney – grew up in the neighborhood. Married high school sweetheart who grew up in Meadowood, lives by west towne. Sheriff and police work closely, trying to collaborate in south west Madison. Law enforcement will do their part. But can’t solve it all, requires entire community , requires businesses, faith based communities and schools. Points out county board supervisors in the room (Ferrell, Hesselbein and others). Also alders (Solomon, Clear, Sanborn, King . . . no Thuy?) He says they will continue to work collaboratively. Points out Keller said parent involvement is required, can’t say that enough Anybody who is old enough to attend Memorial when Boomer was there, were made to run the hill. Takes involvement and mentors, many know kids in the school and we can be a mentor to the kids next door. Not a mother in this community that doesn’t care about their children. Robert made thoughtful comments. He’ll do his part, but want to work with all of you – some clapping.
School Board President Arlene Silveira – Public schools and education are different than other groups – we do not have the ability to say no to a child that walks though the doors – legally and morally obligated to help them, in Madison we also do it because we want to – they believe in all children, embrace the diversity – truly a positive when they are in a diverse class room – diversity defined in many ways. Embrace every child , even those at the Meadowood Community Center. There have been problems and issues and a strong relationship between positive school and community. These meetings are important. Introduces people in the room and says that that they are committed to working with neighborhoods – School Board Members Beth Moss, Marj Passman, Ed Hhughes & Maya Cole, 3 principals from Falk, Toki and Chavez, school adminstrators including Luis Yudice who is in charge of safety in the schools. Says Nerad sends his regrets, long standing commitment to be with another neighborhood tonight. Says a partnership is critical to making it work. Meeting with neighborhood associations, partnered with city on the Meadowood Community Center. Working on communications with neighborhood . Committed to continuing the dialog and look at other solutions, but need to involve the kids. Partnership is two ways and they need help as well. What do kids want, volunteer at the neighborhood center . . . .
[At this point I was interrupted by Blaska, who came to ask me if I wanted a quote for my blog. Um . . . . No.]
County Board Supervisor Ronn Ferrell wanted to thank the women doing the childcare for the event. He says he is listening, it’s a start, let’s keep it going, get involved we need a better city and this is how we start.
No alders were invited to come forward, unlike the police, sherriff, school board and county board folks.
With that, they wrapped it up and called it a night. Encouraged people to get and stay involved, but never really said how.
Luciano from WYOU taped the whole thing, might want to watch his show to see if for yourself.
