MISERY ‘LIKES’ COMPANY: ‘Like’ inappropriate things on Facebook? You are not alone. +PAGE TWO
GROWING UP ON THE ICE How his father’s triumphs and tragedies taught John Ramage the world of hockey
Part two of three
+SPORTS, page 8
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Mayor’s vote denies Overture funding By Ben Siegel THE DAILY CARDINAL
VICTOR BITTORF/THE DAILY CARDINAL
Frank Production’s Charlie Goldstone addressed city officials at a Freakfest press conference Monday. Additional private security will help offset this year’s reduction in police presence.
City leaders say fewer officers for Freakfest By David Jones THE DAILY CARDINAL
At a press conference Monday, city leaders outlined final details regarding Freakfest, including plans to reduce police presence compared to previous years. Police Lieutenant Dave McCaw was unable to specify how many fewer officers there will be but said private security firm RTM will supplement regular police presence by providing crowd control.
“For the last four years, calls for service and problems in the State Street and university area have declined,” McCaw said. “There will also be less people involved with rush processing because our current history has been a reduction of arrests for the event.” Police presence was also reduced for the 2010 Freakfest. McCaw said one reason for police force reductions is that Freakfest is no longer just a citysponsored event. “In the police department, we
view this as a reduction because it’s no longer a police program,” McCaw said. “This is a Frank Productions [event] now.” Charlie Goldstone of Frank Productions said there will be “upwards of 100 or more” private security guards helping to monitor and control the crowds. Security personnel will be stationed at the entrances and exits, ticket stands and around the stages, with some also patrol-
freakfest page 3
An even split at the Board of Estimates meeting Monday required the help of Mayor Paul Soglin’s tiebreaking vote to deny the Overture Center $500,000 in funding for its 2012 operating budget. The 29 proposed amendments that were brought before the BOE Monday sought a combined total of $1 million addition to the mayor’s $250 million 2012 city operating budget. The rejected $500,000 in Overture funding would go toward filling the gap between the $1.35 million allotted by Soglin’s budget and the annual $2 million promised by the Common Council last December, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. “A half a million dollars is a lot of money for anybody’s budget,” Verveer said. “It could make the difference between an individual having a job or not … between shows taking place or not.” The funds would be raised through property taxes, which would tack an additional $5.65 annually on the average Madison home. A large part of the Overture Center’s budget goes toward subsidizing performances for the community; a lack of funds prevents the center from doing so, Verveer indicated. “I know there’s a perception that everything at the Overture Center is pricey to attend, and that’s just not accurate whatsoever,” Verveer said. According to Overture
Center Foundation Board of Directors Vice President Tom Basting, keeping the Overture Center on “sound financial footing” goes beyond sustaining program availability. Overture audiences annually spend $9.8 million downtown beyond their ticket purchases, Basting said. Since the Overture Center’s opening, property values in the immediate downtown area have risen at four times the Madison average, which factors into property tax rates. The amendment will be voted on again at the City Council operating budget meeting Nov. 16. Verveer pointed out that the amendment’s 13 sponsors is greater than the 11 required for a measure to pass. “It’s only a matter of time [before funding is approved] … the mayor may make a decision whether or not he wants to veto the entire budget over this money,” Verveer said.
Filling the gap Amount of city funds: Promised to Overture Center in December 2010
$2 million — Proposed by $1.35 Mayor Paul Soglin in 2012 million city budget Difference:
$650,000
Occupy UW protesters few but passionate By Alex DiTullio THE DAILY CARDINAL
SHOAIB ALTAF/THE DAILY CARDINAL
While the Occupy UW did not receive the turnout it expected, protesters hope for increased participation in coming weeks.
While the approximately 20 protesters who participated in the Occupy UW march Monday were far less than the 100 expected, those in attendance spoke against the country’s alleged “unequal distribution of wealth.” Beginning at Union South, demonstrators chanted, “Eat debt, screw you, Occupy UW” as they marched toward Memorial Union. UW freshman Noah Phillips, who led the march, said it is difficult for most to attain a college degree without enormous debt in the current economic climate. “It’s disheartening to live in a society where people have unequal access to education and you feel like you’re taking place
in this reinforcing of two-class society,” he said. Associated Students of Madison member Justin Bloesch said the traditional American Dream has deteriorated given the difficulty of finding a job after graduation. “What we were told … is that if we work hard, if we stay honest, if we shine by our merit then this society will take care of us; that’s the American Dream,” Bloesch said. “But if that’s ever how the game worked, that’s not how it works now.” Phillips said the movement, which recruited demonstrators via Facebook, hopes to build student participation in upcoming weeks by passing out flyers and speaking in lectures. Phillips said busy schedules
should not deter students from protesting issues that directly affect them, such as student debt and job security. “Students generally don’t realize that they can divert some of their energy from their classes and exams and drama and they can put it into something really exciting and really important,” he said. After the march, protesters discussed ways to increase participation. Once participation is higher, Phillips said the movement can take larger actions such as “occupying a building” or forming a teach in. Weekly Occupy UW marches will continue every Monday beginning at Union South at 12:30 p.m.
“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”