Oh my goodness, where to begin . . .how about the hairbrained ideas coming out of Meadowood . . .
SCREW THE 4TH AMENDMENT
Is the City Attorney Michael May smoking crack? Or maybe he’s still out of town? Looking for more work for his office? Or maybe the Mayor failed to consult with him? I wonder how much money its going to cost the city when they go all the way to the Supreme Court to litigate the new search and seizure practices proposed by the Mayor and police department? Seriously, warrantless searches. What happens when something besides a gun turns up? What if its just a baggy of pot? Will the kids or their parents be prosecuted for that instead? I mean, once the parents consent, what protections do they and their children have? Are they banking on everyone being low income and not being able to get an attorney who will challenge this?
IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME, LOITERING IS BACK
MORE OFFENSIVE THAN EVER!
Those darn constitutional rights, they are so bothersome to the City!
Thought #1. Ok, now I’m really beginning to think the City Attorney’s office is raiding the police evidence room for personal use on a regular basis. Loitering laws that only apply to certain geographic areas of the city? Wow, are they really that afraid of budget cuts that they are trying to ensure that they have continued employment. Looks like another case to be taken to the Supreme Court at our expense.
Thought #2. Get me a map, we can just circle the areas of the city where there are concentrations of people of color, and that is where the law will be applied. I mean, why even bother trying to legally figure out how to have a law that applies in only come areas of the City? Seriously, it’s the only place it will be enforced anyways. Someone call the ACLU!
Thought #3. Emily Mills does another good job breaking down the issue. I especially like how she points out the criminals drive cars, why don’t we just let police pull over cars without reason.
MEANWHILE, A TREE FALLS IN THE FOREST
With all this talk about safety you’d think that the public hearing on how the police department is going to spend $200,000 would have gotten some attention. But no . . . Kristin Czubkoski was the only one to show up. I guess I called it. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t right. But I maintain, why would anyone show up if they don’t have anything provided to comment on? Apparently police think its the time of the meeting that is the problem. Not.
COPS WILL GET THEIR RIFLES, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER
Ah, now I know why they didn’t tell us what they wanted to spend the money on BEFORE the public hearing! Somewhere in the city, Satya Rhodes-Conway’s head exploded when she opened the email and found out the money will be spent as follows:
The City of Madison Police Department will receive $171,142 which shall be used as follows:
$34,228 toward the salary and benefits of a Dane County prosecutor position
$20,000 for the Dane County Drug Court program
$10,000 for the Dane County Victim Witness program
$24,300 for the purchase and equipping of a detective vehicle
$9,500 for licenses for specialty software to be used to investigate computer crime
$10,500 for a server to store evidence collected from computers
$18,700 for evidence drying cabinets$42,214 for rifles$1,700 for a powerpoint projector and screen
The council has removed finding for rifles from the budget and had this discussion on more than one occasion. From the 2008 budget process:
Amendment No. 3
Agency/Project: Police / Project #3 – Rifle Acquisition Project
Page(s): 17
Sponsor(s): Alds. Brandon, Rhodes-Conway, SolomonRemove funding for the rifle acquisition program, including the estimated funding amounts in 2009 and 2010 ($25,000 G.O. and $25,000 grant funding in each year).
General Obligation Debt $ (20,000)
Other Funding (20,000)
Total $ (40,000) Levy Impact: $ (2,590)Some remained consistent in the arguments to trust the police and they need the tools to do their jobs as with the tasers. Others, pointed out that we’ve used a rifle once that they fired the weapon. We don’t need our average officers to have these military style automatic rifles since we have a sniper/swat team on staff of the MPD for the extreme circumstances. Lots of questions, some debate. Alder Webber called the question, I was the only who hadn’t spoke but I didn’t object. The motion passed 11 – 9. AYE Judge, Kerr, Konkel, Palm, Rhodes-Conway, Rummel, Solomon, Verveer, Webber, Brandon, Bruer. NO Clear, Compton, Gruber, Pham-Remmele, Sanborn, Schumacher, Skidmore, Clausius, Cnare. Cnare originally passed and voted at the end.
WHO EVER THUNK IT
I’m going to say something nice about the Madison Police Department. At the rally for driver’s cards and tuition cuts for immigrants in Wisconsin, a uniformed City of Madison Police Officer showed up to the rally, spoke, fielded questions from local media and I presume helped lobbying for the right thing! Thank you!
OH, NOW ITS A GOOD IDEA
Remember the budget last year, when I had all those lousy amendments that were just a waste of time and annoying. Well, turns out, that my amendment that would have implemented landlord registration and paid for itself is now a good idea according to the Mayor. Good thing Alder Julia Kerr worked with city staff and has had the ordinance drafted for months cuz the Mayor can just take credit for it when it passes without doing any of the work. Glad he finally came around and see the merit . . . or more likely, he has his eye on the revenue stream.
WYOU GOES PLATINUM
Great article on Barbara Bolan, the new Executive Director. Donate now. Or come to the fundraiser July 12th at 4:00 at the High Noon Saloon. Details here. Lend your hand to the wall of support and help save this valuable community resource. It is, after all, our television station.
HOMELESS, DON’T CALL US UNLESS ITS BETWEEN 8:00a.m. & 4:00p.m.
Wow. Why would it take weeks to get voice mail up and running? They’ve already been having problems for days.
The Salvation Army continues to have major phone system malfunctions. As of today, we have learned that we will not be able to have voice mail until 7/15/09. All families needing shelter and/or individuals needing help with Rx need to call 250-2223 Mon-Fri 800am-400pm. There will be a staff person answering this line, recording messages and contact information. Do not use 250-2298 any longer. 211 website has been updated.
ALDER SHIVA BIDAR-SIELAFF REMINDS US
Friday at dusk: please light a candle to show your support for the brave people of Iran who are fighting for freedom. (Iranian prodemocracy leaders have called for this international show of solidarity)
HOUSING UPDATE – A PEOPLE’S AGENDA
Thanks to everyone who showed up last night, it will take a bit before the notes are all typed up, but when they are, they will be sent to the participants and I’m sure I’ll blog some part of it. There were also reporters there from the Cap Times (Kristin and Pat), as well as the Isthmus and Street Pulse, so you might find something there. Thanks to Kristin who chose to spend her birthday with us!
Sorry to disappoint you and end on a positive, positively unsnarky note or two, but the items were timely and people will be asking. And, I had more, but ran out of time . . .
