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Council delays vote on new officers
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A discussion surrounding a plan to add 30 new officers to
the Madison Police Department was postponed at the Madison City Council meeting
Tuesday.
The council listened to a series of public hearings about
the 2008 Executive Operating Budgets, along with their respective amendments.
Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced halfway through the meeting that
hearings and discussions would continue later in the week.
One focus of the public hearing surrounded
Cieslewicz's proposal for 30 new police officers and
an increase in the number of Tasers for the Madison Police Department.
But not
everyone agrees with the proposal.
Madison citizen Thomas Koslowski
explained why the increases in officers and Tasers are unnecessary.
"We have an abundance of police,"
said Koslowski. "Even at [Freakfest], it was amazing to see the excessive
amount of police. It appears that what we have here is an attitude of
militarization of the police, including Tasers. Tasers could kill people."
Among the other topics discussed, the majority of the
speakers focused on the amendments relating to community services, specifically
regarding funding for community programs.
One citizen, Freddie Clark, spoke in favor of Amendment 50,
which calls for an increase in funding for the Madison Apprenticeship Program,
a training program for low income or disadvantaged adults.
"There are so many programs that are all so significant in
helping the needs of the people," Clark said. "This is a very high profile,
effective program. It has done a lot for the community."
Other Madison Apprenticeship Program supporters and
participants discussed how the program has impacted their lives. One woman
explained how it saved her life after losing her husband.
Another key issue highlighted
during the hearing was homelessness. Numerous Madison citizens explained why
reducing the root causes of homelessness and increasing the protection of the
homeless are two issues that should be prioritized.
Two participants of Operation
Welcome Home spoke of the importance of the program and others like it.
"There are not enough funds to help
the homeless in Madison," program participant Nate Abrahms said. "Changes are
needed. I’ve been homeless for the last six years, and at 53 years [of age],
I’m trying to change, but current conditions are making it very difficult."
Jeffrey Ohlman, another participant
of the program, explained why he thinks programs like Operation Welcome Home
deserve funding.
"It's not like we’re not motivated or that we’re not trying to do what we have to do," Ohlman said. "We really do need this support and help."
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Note to headline editor: The vote was never going to be Tuesday, and there was no delay.