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Council asks for more info
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MONROE - During a newly scheduled quarterly meeting of the Monroe Common Council meant to provide updates on projects and ongoing agenda items, members asked that entities that receive monetary support from the city but are not run by the local government give reports to the council.

The request came from Alderman Ron Marsh after discussion of the Greenwood Cemetery Board's financial problems and the city's $48,000 contribution to the facility this year. Marsh said this had "mushroomed" from $6,000 when he had previously served in local government.

City Administrator Phil Rath said groups had previously reported to the council with news of programs and events.

"In the past, it was kind of an update of what the groups were doing," Rath said. "An educational piece on how these groups are helping within the community."

Rath added that the amount of information to be provided during a general council meeting could become rushed if there were issues to be discussed at length, which means scheduling updates during special quarterly meetings could be more beneficial to council members wanting to ask questions.

Main Street Monroe is one of the quasi-city organizations that receives funding from the city but does not operate under its control. It is a non-profit organization that receives $7,500 quarterly from the city. Executive Director Jordan Nordby said he had given reports in the past, when former mayor Bill Ross was in office.

"We've got a really good working relationship with the city and these other groups," Nordby said. "The city contribution has been vital to the success of our program."

Nordby said the city's contribution's make up a third of the annual Main Street Monroe budget. Funds from the Business Improvement District Board and the group's own fundraising efforts, including sponsorships, make up the other two-thirds.

Cara Carper, executive director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, enthusiastically welcomed the idea of reporting to the council on a quarterly basis. She said she prefers to show council members the work of the chamber as often as they would allow.

"I would welcome any opportunity to go before the city council anytime," Carper said. "If all of the groups went together, we could highlight how different groups work. We work well together."

Mike Johnson, executive director of the Green County Development Corporation, said transparency and providing awareness is a positive piece between a group and its contributors.

"I think anytime we can share value and present some of the things we do, it is almost always a positive," Johnson said. "We're a small non-profit. Monroe, since I've been here, has been a positive impact."

City contributions make up roughly $30,000 of the GCDC annual budget. Johnson said the organization makes about $170,000 for use each year. He added that because aldermen and Rath currently serve on the board, there is already some awareness of the organization's projects within the city.

Reports could begin with the next quarterly meeting, which Mayor Louis Armstrong said should take place at the end of May or in early June. If council deems it appropriate, Rath said reporting agencies would include the Chamber, GCDC, Main Street, the cemetery board and the Green County Humane Society.
Law of the Month: Plan ahead to prevent impaired driving this holiday season
December Law of the Month: Impaired driving
wi dot

MADISON — December is here, and with it, another season of holiday celebrations. Don’t cut the party short by driving impaired - it is dangerous, reckless and never the only option.

Wisconsin State Patrol’s December Law of the Month brings attention to impaired driving laws and encourages motorists to find safe ways to get to their destinations this holiday season.

“Across the state, Wisconsinites are celebrating the holidays and the end of another year,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “We encourage everyone to take responsibility and plan ahead if you plan to celebrate. Designate a sober driver ahead of time, take public transit, or use a rideshare program to keep yourself and others safe on the roads. There is never an excuse for driving impaired.”

On average, someone is injured or killed in an impaired driving crash every two hours in Wisconsin. In 2023, there were over 7,700 impaired driving crashes that claimed the lives of 186 people on Wisconsin roads.


Drive sober: It’s the law

In Wisconsin, drivers are prohibited from operating any vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.08. Under Wisconsin’s “not a drop” law, drivers under age 21 are prohibited from having any detectable amount of alcohol in their system. Drivers may not have any illegal drugs in their system when behind the wheel.

Motorists who refuse a blood/breath alcohol test will lose their license for at least one year and may have their vehicle impounded.


Taking action

Wisconsin law enforcement works hard year-round to encourage safe driving and prevent impaired driving.

Over 7,500 law enforcement officers across the state are trained in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE). This helps law enforcement detect impaired drivers and get them off the road.

With almost 400 Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) across the state, Wisconsin is helping lead the nation in eliminating drug-impaired driving. DREs help prevent tragedies by identifying the signs of drug-impaired driving and securing convictions to keep them off the roads.

The Wisconsin State Patrol is continuing to highlight the danger that impaired driving poses throughout the holiday season with its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Running from Dec. 13, 2024, through Jan. 1, 2025, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is an annual holiday partnership with local law enforcement to keep Wisconsin roads safe and free of impaired drivers.


Stay safe, make smart choices

Driving impaired carries serious consequences. Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) charges can cost you around $10,000. Stay safe and save money on the road this holiday season:

●  Select a sober designated driver ahead of time. If you’re feeling impaired, you are likely over the 0.08 Blood Alcohol Concentration limit and should not drive.

●  Remember you have options: take the bus, call a taxi, use a rideshare or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

●  If you have a friend who is about to drive under the influence, step in. Take away their keys and get them home safely.

●  If it’s your turn to be the sober driver, take that job seriously. 

●  If you suspect a driver is impaired, safely gather as much information as you can about the vehicle, driver and location. Then call 911.

View the December Law of the Month video and news release online: https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/newsroom/law/lom.aspx.