Monday, March 30, 2009 - The Daily Cardinal

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Monday, March 30, 2009

By Rachel Racoosin THE DAILY CARDINAL

The state Department of Justice is currently examining allegations of inappropriate conduct by Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, during his term as prosecutor for the Dane County District Attorney’s office, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Verveer has represented District 4 since 1995, served as City Council president, and acted as prosecutor for the Dane County District Attorney’s office until late last year. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, a woman called the District Attorney’s office in late October to report what she characterized as Verveer’s unprofessional behavior. After receiving this report, District Attorney Brian Blanchard asked for further investigation. Blanchard also confirmed with the Wisconsin State Journal that following the women’s complaint, he asked Verveer

to take a leave of absence from the District Attorney’s office. The Wisconsin State Journal spoke with the woman who made the allegations against Verveer, as well as two defendants who hold other claims against the alderman. According to the WSJ, these people described Verveer as someone who sometimes blurred the lines between prosecuting defendants and helping them. Verveer denied all allegations against him to the Wisconsin State Journal. “I cooperated with the Wisconsin State Journal, I gave my side of the story to them, they chose to publish their accounts, and I have nothing to add at this time,” Verveer said. According to the WSJ, the allegations suggest that Verveer tried to inappropriately intervene in the case of a 19-year-old facing multiple charges of drunken driving verveer page 3

DISTRICT 8 THROWDOWN A preview to the April 7 election

What life experiences make you a good candidate for District 8 Alderman? Bryon Eagon: “Through my experiences in campus government as well as engaging students in the political process by leading Students for Barack Obama in Wisconsin, I have shown an ability to listen to the student voice and turn those concerns and ideas into action.”

WOULF

EAGON

Mark Woulf: “My best experience is with the UW’s Alcohol and other Drug standing committee. Through my work, I have found a disconnect between the university, the city, and the police departments. As alder, I will continue to work to bridge that gap so that we can work together to solve our problems, especially with safety in this city.”

SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH A month-long series focused on sexual violence in America and on the UWMadison campus in an effort to dispel myths and educate students, including weekly feature articles and daily facts.

Campus prepares for awareness month By Erin Banco THE DAILY CARDINAL

Officials and student leaders from UW-Madison are gearing up to participate in a monthlong campaign to promote sexual assault awareness on campus, set to begin April 2. Members of the University Subcommittee on Dating Violence and Sexual Assault, the Offices of the Dean of Students, the Wisconsin Union Directorate and other student organizations will help host the events. Activities will be tailored to educate community members about the dangers and consequences of sexual assault globally, nationally and throughout the state of Wisconsin.

“I think the first things students should do is every day think about something they [stand] for, and how they can show full respect and consent,” Carmen Hotvedt, a member of the subcommittee, said. “And that doesn’t mean that [they] need to get involved in some movement, it means every day they can make those choices for themselves and help their friends see what they see.” Hotvedt said Sexual Assault Awareness Month began on campus in the late ’90s after National Sexual Violence Resource Center encouraged communities to have events and efforts for an entire month instead of a week. Promoting Awareness, Victim

Empowerment, a student organization on campus that strives to educate students on sexual assault, will take part in this year’s events. Katie Simons, PAVE media relations chair, said she is currently working on a project to take place during the month of April. “I am working on a bus campaign and we are hoping to put the posters on the buses for the month,” she said. Simons said the posters will promote sexual assault awareness. The $300,000 grant the university received from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office on Violence Against Women for 2009 will help sexual assault page 3

Supreme Court candidates spar in final debate By Joe Skurzewski THE DAILY CARDINAL

State Supreme Court candidates Randy Koschnick, Jefferson County circuit court judge, and Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson argued their views on various issues Friday in a televised debate sponsored by We the People. Abrahamson stood by her years of experience on the bench as chief justice, and said several police and firefighter organizations support her election. Koschnick attacked Abrahamson’s support from these organizations, claiming these groups supported her to protect their wages rather than for

her judicial record. A judicial conservative, Koschnick claimed Abrahamson uses the bench for judicial activist purposes. “Judicial conservatism is the belief that judges should apply and interpret laws, not make them,” he said. “That is how the people are best served.” Koschnick asked Abrahamson to explain how she could live up to her ad campaign claiming to support Wisconsin families when she was the only judge to strike down Wisconsin’s predator law. Abrahamson responded by explaining her judicial philosophy when faced with controversial issues.

“Equal justice for all people, regardless of economic status, regardless of gender, regardless of race,” she said. Both candidates also discussed ways the state Supreme Court could improve itself in 2009. Koschnick claimed his actions on the bench helped reduce the length of drunken driving cases and helped keep drunken drivers off the roads. Abrahamson said she would aid people who decide to represent themselves in court, and ensure adequate funding for court procedures. The election for the State Supreme Court will take place on April 7.

PHOTOS BY DANNY MARCHEWKA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Jefferson County circuit court judge Randy Koschnick and Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson debated live on television Friday.

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LORENZO ZEMELLA/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Ald. Verveer’s term as prosecutor investigated


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