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Council delays vote on new officers

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Council delays vote on new officers

JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo

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by Pratha Muthiah
Wednesday, November 14, 2007

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."


Anonymous (November 14, 2007 @ 4:57pm):

Note to headline editor: The vote was never going to be Tuesday, and there was no delay.

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