MONROE - Monroe Alderman Charles Koch recently joined government officials and citizens from throughout the state at two educational seminars in Madison.

The first, hosted by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, was a training session to promote better understanding of the open meetings and public records laws, which Van Hollen described as "an essential component of effective citizen oversight of the workings of our democratic government."

Koch also participated in a specialized training session, "Alcohol Policy in Wisconsin: Municipal Action to Promote a Positive Alcohol Environment." The full-day seminar was sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Law School and the U.S. Department of Justice through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

Local elected and appointed officials with alcohol-related responsibilities also learned how alcohol policy and community practices can alter community norms and improve the community alcohol environment; and about policies and practices that can help remediate local problems.

While there, Koch attended workshops on the development and results of a community public intoxication ordinance, and on using enforcement as education in achieving compliance.