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Letters to The Platteville Journal for Oct. 16
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Platteville’s rules

Have you ever read any of the municipal codes of the City of Platteville? Have you ever noticed the dates the codes were enacted?

Most people I know realize that even though the Common Council enacts a change, people know that the change starts at the time of enactment or the effective date set by the council. This also means that whatever happened before is “grandfathered” and that means that the law does not apply to them.

Only in Platteville can a Common Council change a law and then expect everyone to comply with that law as if the law was enacted in 1 A.D.

Also only in Platteville — a city in the state of Wisconsin and a state of the United States of America, which is supposed to run all of its meetings, especially a Common Council meeting which is open to the public by “Robert’s Rules of Order” — do we find that not one of the seven council members elected by its citizens to run our city and vote on behalf of its residents and taxpayers know what Robert’s Rules of Order are. Best of all, our current city manager has no concept of rules.

I was sitting at the last council meeting and heard a resident, who I believe is also a doctor at Southwest Health Center, stand and call for a “point of order,” and our council president just dismissed him. (Sounds like a former council person’s actions.)

I then was given time to speak on another topic, on which I was allowed five minutes. I said what I had to say and with my remaining two minutes I yielded to the doctor. Our city council president informed me that I could not do that. Why?

I was given the floor for five minutes and did not use all of it and wanted the doctor to be heard. He might have been informing us of some pertinent fact that he had from the hospital or information that was important to our city. Our council president dismissed him and my grant to him of my remaining time.

My allowing him the remaining time is allowed under Robert’s Rules of Order, but our city council feels that they are above that and rule by their own design.

Why is it that we, the residents and taxpayers of Platteville, must comply with each and every city code and the Common Council has the right to pick and choose?

Why are we “ordered” to do things when the city council can do what it wants to do?

Why is our city council bending the rules for every request of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and any taxpayer is told to toe the line?

I hope that I am not the only senior citizen, taxpayer and resident of Platteville who feels this way. It is time that we, the people who pay the city council’s salary, let them know it is time for them to understand the rules that govern their actions or resign.

We are coming close to a new election, and I hope the citizens of Platteville remember what I am saying and act accordingly by voting these people out of office.

It is time for the residents of Platteville to plan our own destiny instead of having it planned for us, especially by out-of-towners.

Michael V. Mayo
375 S. Chestnut St., Platteville
mvmayo.platt@hotmail.com

Editor’s note: The city code can be read at http://platteville.org/?codes.

Drunk-driving justice

People who drive drunk do not necessarily understand the impacts of their actions on others. A new sanction in Grant County will require those convicted of driving under the influence to attend a special program where victims will tell their stories and describe how the experience has changed their lives. This type of program has been proven to reduce recidivism in other parts of Wisconsin, and gives those offenders a new perspective on their actions.

Ridge and Valley Restorative Justice is organizing the forums and is seeking victims of drunk driving who are willing to share their stories. They will receive support and coaching if they desire, and a modest honorarium to help with transportation costs. Please contact our program manager, Robin Cline, (608) 326-2407, ridge.valleyrestorativejustice@gmail.com. Other judges in the region are watching carefully and interested in establishing this sanction for offenders in their counties.

We at Ridge and Valley Restorative Justice (formerly known as Crawford County Restorative Justice) know that this program can improve the well-being of our communities by reconnecting offenders with their conscience and compassion.

Lila Marmel
Ridge and Valley Restorative Justice
Soldiers Grove

The Platteville Journal will print most letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion presented. The Journal reserves the right to edit material that is libelous or otherwise offensive to community standards and to shorten letters the Journal feels are excessively long. All letters must be signed and the signature must appear on the printed letter, along with a contact number or email for verification. Some submitted letters may not be published due to space constraints. “Thank you” letters will not be printed. All letters and columns represent the views of the writers and not necessarily the views of The Platteville Journal.