Page Title
Editor's corner/ Over a cup of tea
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Proud to be a Madisonian
Historical moments
I've been back in Madison for quite awhile and have been so excited to come back at a time
when our city and state have become the center of attention of the nation and the world
because of our own version of People Power -- a nonviolent massive gathering of people, at
times hundreds of thousands each week -- on the steps of and around, our State Capitol,
protesting the new Wisconsin Governor's attack on collective bargaining of State and other
government employees. There have been counter-rallies from Tea Party members and GOP
supporters as well, but their numbers definitely fell below those of the progressives, the
public workers, and their sympathizers. Several national figures have come to speak on
makeshift stages fronting the Capitol, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and some movie
stars, and most recently, Sarah Palin. Rev. Jackson even commemorated the 43rd
assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. with his "From Memphis to Madison" rally.
The famous Wisconsin 14, Democratic State Senators who "hid" during the budget
deliberations to stall its approval, were hailed as heroes by their supporters and progressive
rallyists. And when the City of Madison and Dane County filed their respective complaints that
the State Legislature violated the Open Meetings Law for failing to issue a public notice within
Historical moments
I've been back in Madison for quite awhile and have been so excited to come back at a time
when our city and state have become the center of attention of the nation and the world
because of our own version of People Power -- a nonviolent massive gathering of people, at
times hundreds of thousands each week -- on the steps of and around, our State Capitol,
protesting the new Wisconsin Governor's attack on collective bargaining of State and other
government employees. There have been counter-rallies from Tea Party members and GOP
supporters as well, but their numbers definitely fell below those of the progressives, the
public workers, and their sympathizers. Several national figures have come to speak on
makeshift stages fronting the Capitol, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson and some movie
stars, and most recently, Sarah Palin. Rev. Jackson even commemorated the 43rd
assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. with his "From Memphis to Madison" rally.
The famous Wisconsin 14, Democratic State Senators who "hid" during the budget
deliberations to stall its approval, were hailed as heroes by their supporters and progressive
rallyists. And when the City of Madison and Dane County filed their respective complaints that
the State Legislature violated the Open Meetings Law for failing to issue a public notice within
24 hours, Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled a temporary restraining order that effectively blocked Gov.
Scott Walker's Budget Bill from coming into effect. Judge Sumi has upheld her order through May 23, when briefs on
the law's application and time limits of service on GOP Senate members' immunity are due.
Recall petitions are actively in place, on both sides of the aisle. As of this writing, the fourth Republican recall petition
has been filed against Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls). The first three were Dan Kapanke (R-LaCrosse),Randy
Hopper (R-Fond du Lac), and Luther Olsen (R-Ripon). Democrats need to file four more recall petitions in order to win
the State Senate majority. Meanwhile, Republicans have filed a recall petition against Wausau's Democratic State Sen.
Jim Holperin. There will be heated elections coming up for sure, and Wisconsinites are waiting.
Then when this year's Spring elections were held on April 5, voters' turnout was incredibly huge, headlined by the
contest between GOP-backed Supreme Court incumbent Justice David Prosser and Democrat/Progressives-backed
State Asst. Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg. When the early votes were tallied the next day, Kloppenburg led by
204 votes; then on April 7, Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus (R) miraculously discovered un-tabulated
Brookfield votes that gave Prosser a win of more than 7,000. Kloppenburg has requested a statewide recount, which
Scott Walker's Budget Bill from coming into effect. Judge Sumi has upheld her order through May 23, when briefs on
the law's application and time limits of service on GOP Senate members' immunity are due.
Recall petitions are actively in place, on both sides of the aisle. As of this writing, the fourth Republican recall petition
has been filed against Sen. Sheila Harsdorf (R-River Falls). The first three were Dan Kapanke (R-LaCrosse),Randy
Hopper (R-Fond du Lac), and Luther Olsen (R-Ripon). Democrats need to file four more recall petitions in order to win
the State Senate majority. Meanwhile, Republicans have filed a recall petition against Wausau's Democratic State Sen.
Jim Holperin. There will be heated elections coming up for sure, and Wisconsinites are waiting.
Then when this year's Spring elections were held on April 5, voters' turnout was incredibly huge, headlined by the
contest between GOP-backed Supreme Court incumbent Justice David Prosser and Democrat/Progressives-backed
State Asst. Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg. When the early votes were tallied the next day, Kloppenburg led by
204 votes; then on April 7, Waukesha County Clerk Kathy Nickolaus (R) miraculously discovered un-tabulated
Brookfield votes that gave Prosser a win of more than 7,000. Kloppenburg has requested a statewide recount, which
I think is proper, given the circumstances
of Nickolaus' "mistake.
Dane County's new Executive is former
State Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison), who
ran Against conservative Eileen
Bruskewitz. Parisi has several election
wins to his belt, both as county clerk and
member of the state Assembly. I
congratulate Joe and wish him well.
The City of Madison also has a new --
and former -- Mayor, Paul Soglin, well-
known as the Madison Mayor responsible
for the construction of State Street Mall,
the Capital Concourse, the Civic Center,
and Monona Terrace Convention Center,
among others. His significant
achievements were many and diverse,
including the hiring of women and
minorities in law enforcement. He came
back with a vengeance when he defeated
2-term Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who
defeated him in 2003. I hope Mayor Soglin
accomplish his new goals amid the
present crisis we all face.
Changes are happening wherever I look
around. Wisconsin is so much alive, and
there's real warmth when people get
together nowadays, despite the never-
ending cold that seems to linger in
Spring.
I'm proud to be a Madisonian!
of Nickolaus' "mistake.
Dane County's new Executive is former
State Rep. Joe Parisi (D-Madison), who
ran Against conservative Eileen
Bruskewitz. Parisi has several election
wins to his belt, both as county clerk and
member of the state Assembly. I
congratulate Joe and wish him well.
The City of Madison also has a new --
and former -- Mayor, Paul Soglin, well-
known as the Madison Mayor responsible
for the construction of State Street Mall,
the Capital Concourse, the Civic Center,
and Monona Terrace Convention Center,
among others. His significant
achievements were many and diverse,
including the hiring of women and
minorities in law enforcement. He came
back with a vengeance when he defeated
2-term Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, who
defeated him in 2003. I hope Mayor Soglin
accomplish his new goals amid the
present crisis we all face.
Changes are happening wherever I look
around. Wisconsin is so much alive, and
there's real warmth when people get
together nowadays, despite the never-
ending cold that seems to linger in
Spring.
I'm proud to be a Madisonian!
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