Waupun council can't fairly represent both sides with resolution

On Friday I wrote about issues going on here in Waupun, including a proposed resolution requested by a handful of people essentially stating the people of the city of Waupun support collective bargaining and local decision making with unions. Here is the proposed resolution...

RESOLUTION #3-29-11-01

WHEREAS, The Waupun Common Council acknowledges the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin and the shared participation in balancing the budget.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the entire community of City of Waupun including employees, businesses, and residents will be impacted as the result of the fiscal budget deficit of the State of Wisconsin.

WHEREAS, the Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget though the reduction in State Aid payments.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun employees will participate in balancing the State of Wisconsin budget through contributions to pensions and health insurance premiums.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun business community will be impacted with the loss of disposable income estimated at $33,378,342 throughout Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties.

WHEREAS, The Common Council acknowledges that the City of Waupun residents may be impacted in a loss of services due to the reductions in State Aid payments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Waupun supports local city employees and the approximately 190,623 public workers in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties and the City of Waupun supports the principals of collective bargaining and requests that the City of Waupun retain local decision making with its employee unions regarding good faith collective bargaining and decisions associated with local tax dollars,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk is hereby directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Scott Walker, State Senator Randy Hopper, State Senator Scott Fitzgerald, State Representative Jeff Fitzgerald, and State Representative Richard Spanbauer.

Adopted this 29^th day of March, 2011.

_____________________________________

Mayor Jodi A. Steger

_____________________________________

Angela Hull, City Clerk   

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Yesterday afternoon, I spoke with Waupun City Administrator Kyle Clark regarding budget issues and this resolution. It was a very good conversation, and although we didn't agree on a couple of things, Kyle had no problem answering questions and clarifying some things for me. 

In discussing this resolution, Kyle feels it's worded in such a way that both supporters and opponents of Governor Walker are fairly represented. I have to respectfully disagree. Kyle asked how I would change the wording to make it seem more balanced. I feel there is no way to do that, so if it were up to me, the council would just leave the issue alone and not pass a resolution for anyone on this matter.

As a city we can't say we support collective bargaining but we don't support collective bargaining in the same resolution. The council can't pass this resolution and then get a request from another group saying something different in another resolution. It then becomes a matter of which side to support, and if the council chooses to pass one resolution but chooses to vote down an opposing resolution, one side is not going to be treated fairly. 

I have no complaints with the people that requested the current resolution. They feel very strongly about this issue and would like their viewpoint expressed. The council can vote no on the current resolution without being disrespectful to those that requested it. 

Everyone that lives in Waupun knows that, as a city, we are divided on this issue. Since both sides can't be equally represented in this matter, no action should be taken. 

Both sides can borrow a line from former President Ronald Reagan and say "Those voices don't speak for the rest of us."

Posted by Mike Schwandt. March 27, 2011.