NEWS
Council to vote tonight on reparations
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by Michelle Orris
Tuesday, February 4, 2003
The City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a resolution asking the U.S. congress to study ways to implement reparations for slavery.
Mayor Sue Bauman and four alders sponsored the ordinance.
Ald. Steve Holtzman, District 19, said the resolution is a waste of time.
“We have received many loud objections from our constituents,” Holtzman said. “I know we don’t have the votes [to pass the resolution].”
He said reparations were paid long ago through the soldiers who fought to preserve the Union and end slavery.
“The resolution has the potential to harm rather than help, because there are so many aggrieved minorities that deserve reparations,” Holtzman said.
Sponsor Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said the ordinance stemmed from a petition with thousands of signatures collected in the last two years by Stan Woodard, a radio talk show host.
Verveer said reparations could include everything from a formal apology to programs that deal with racial issues.
“There is a mistaken opinion that the council supports cash compensation,” Verveer said. “The resolution we’re voting on would urge a committee to study reparations.”
Antoine McNeail of the Wisconsin Black Student Union agreed that any reparations should include other minorities, but said a formal apology would be ineffective and equality should be the first priority of the United States, rather than rely on programs to boost minority standing.
“It’s a very good idea, but it’s the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “It is also lacking accountability toward what reparations is and who would get them.”
Verveer said the resolution is the last item on the agenda so regular business is finished first, and it gives Madison residents a chance to publicly express their views on the topic.
“One of the functions of the City Council is to provide a soapbox to let people speak out,” Verveer said. “Our concerns are the concerns of Madison.”
Holtzman said he wondered whether the council would even stay in session to discuss the resolution.
“I want to give the public the right to speak, but this has enflamed the public,” Holtzman said.
Ald. Linda Bellman, District 1, said she expects a large group of people at the meeting to speak on the issue.
The Council will also vote tonight on whether to begin enforcing Charter-cable theft with a fine of $150.
Bellman said the cable theft only indirectly affects the city because Charter pays the city for cable access channels with a set amount contingent on their total revenue.
“It does impact everyone who pays the monthly cable fee, if some illegally tap into cable,” Bellman said.
Holtzman questioned why the city would assist Charter after they breached a contract requiring them to provide the city with royalties for Internet use, although the Securities and Exchange Commission said Charter does not need to pay city royalties on the Internet. Holtzman said the city has lost over one million dollars from the loss of royalties.
The Council will also decide whether to send former Zoomerz owner Charles Steinke before the Alcohol License Review Committee, after his failure to return his liquor license when Zoomerz closed down in November.
Verveer said the Zoomerz owners did not surrender the license, which can only remain unused 15 days before it is revoked.
Steinke said he was unaware he could be summoned to the ALRC.
“I don’t have the license,” Steinke said. Saying he assumed the new venue’s owners now hold the license.
Zoomerz Co-owner Mike Bender was unavailable for comment.
