Letters to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
FROM THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF MADISON
February 25, 2011
Governor Scott Walker
Governor, State of Wisconsin
State Capitol, Room 115 East
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Walker:
In a press conference yesterday you were asked about comments you made regarding a suggestion to bring
"troublemakers" to downtown Madison to disrupt the peaceful protests taking place here. At the press conference you said
that this suggestion was made and considered but rejected for political reasons.
I believe I join most Wisconsinites who find those comments deeply troubling. The protests in Madison have received
national recognition for their civility. They have been loud and passionate, but also peaceful.
Police and protesters have complimented one another on their behavior. The police have been patient and professional
while the protesters have been orderly and respectful of their surroundings. For their governor to seriously entertain for
even a moment the idea of disrupting the peaceful expression of civic engagement is a very serious concern.
Like most Wisconsinites I want to believe that our governor would not engage in this kind of behavior. Yet, your response
so far has been less than reassuring. I hope that you can address these concerns by answering the following questions:
• Who made the suggestion to disrupt the protests?
• What was the exact nature of the suggestion?
• What was your immediate response?
• What steps, if any, did you or others take to carry out the plan to disrupt protests?
• Why didn't you reject it along legal and moral grounds instead of political considerations?
I am not necessarily expecting a direct response to me. But I hope that you will deal with these questions in the coming
days and provide your responses to the media and to the people of Wisconsin.
Our police officers work hard to protect the public. When the top elected official in our state and a person sworn to uphold
the law entertains the notion of breaking the peace that official needs to reassure these officers and the public of his
intentions.
Sincerely,
David J. Cieslewicz
Mayor
(City of Madison)
******************************
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
February 14, 2011
Governor Scott Walker
Office of the Governor
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Walker,
On behalf of our 25,000 students and 6,000 staff members, I urge you to use a different approach to resolving the deficit in
the current state budget. Those we serve deserve to know that the key leader in our state used all means in the resolution
of our significant problems before excluding key partners. This is basically what is happening through your budget repair
bill.
While there are problems and changes that need to be made in current collective bargaining laws (i.e., using local
economic condition to decide arbitrations), this does not mean that these laws cannot continue to be useful to balance
what needs to happen in our communities in order to ensure that children are well educated.
The upset for our entire staff that has been created through your proposal does not portend well for our community. Just
as we have worked to ensure teacher and support staff voice in our decision making, you too must ensure this. The way to
do so is to return to the bargaining table to seek your goals of addressing our deficit but also to ensure that solutions are
not primarily on the backs of people who make great sacrifices in the service of children.
I know and acknowledge that we need to resolve our very difficult budget problems. My request, given the potential volatility
of the current situation and my belief that we need to give voice to our employees, is to return to the bargaining table.
Our students deserve knowing we tried.
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Nerad
Superintendent of Schools
*********************
February 25, 2011
Governor Scott Walker
Governor, State of Wisconsin
State Capitol, Room 115 East
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Walker:
In a press conference yesterday you were asked about comments you made regarding a suggestion to bring
"troublemakers" to downtown Madison to disrupt the peaceful protests taking place here. At the press conference you said
that this suggestion was made and considered but rejected for political reasons.
I believe I join most Wisconsinites who find those comments deeply troubling. The protests in Madison have received
national recognition for their civility. They have been loud and passionate, but also peaceful.
Police and protesters have complimented one another on their behavior. The police have been patient and professional
while the protesters have been orderly and respectful of their surroundings. For their governor to seriously entertain for
even a moment the idea of disrupting the peaceful expression of civic engagement is a very serious concern.
Like most Wisconsinites I want to believe that our governor would not engage in this kind of behavior. Yet, your response
so far has been less than reassuring. I hope that you can address these concerns by answering the following questions:
• Who made the suggestion to disrupt the protests?
• What was the exact nature of the suggestion?
• What was your immediate response?
• What steps, if any, did you or others take to carry out the plan to disrupt protests?
• Why didn't you reject it along legal and moral grounds instead of political considerations?
I am not necessarily expecting a direct response to me. But I hope that you will deal with these questions in the coming
days and provide your responses to the media and to the people of Wisconsin.
Our police officers work hard to protect the public. When the top elected official in our state and a person sworn to uphold
the law entertains the notion of breaking the peace that official needs to reassure these officers and the public of his
intentions.
Sincerely,
David J. Cieslewicz
Mayor
(City of Madison)
******************************
FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
February 14, 2011
Governor Scott Walker
Office of the Governor
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Dear Governor Walker,
On behalf of our 25,000 students and 6,000 staff members, I urge you to use a different approach to resolving the deficit in
the current state budget. Those we serve deserve to know that the key leader in our state used all means in the resolution
of our significant problems before excluding key partners. This is basically what is happening through your budget repair
bill.
While there are problems and changes that need to be made in current collective bargaining laws (i.e., using local
economic condition to decide arbitrations), this does not mean that these laws cannot continue to be useful to balance
what needs to happen in our communities in order to ensure that children are well educated.
The upset for our entire staff that has been created through your proposal does not portend well for our community. Just
as we have worked to ensure teacher and support staff voice in our decision making, you too must ensure this. The way to
do so is to return to the bargaining table to seek your goals of addressing our deficit but also to ensure that solutions are
not primarily on the backs of people who make great sacrifices in the service of children.
I know and acknowledge that we need to resolve our very difficult budget problems. My request, given the potential volatility
of the current situation and my belief that we need to give voice to our employees, is to return to the bargaining table.
Our students deserve knowing we tried.
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Nerad
Superintendent of Schools
*********************