CITY ADOPTS BOND AMOUNTS FOR MARIJUANA POSSESSORS

MANITOWOC - First-time offenders of the city's new marijuana and drug
paraphernalia ordinance will have to account for hefty bond amounts
after Monday's Manitowoc Common Council meeting.

In June, the council moved to make possession of marijuana an
ordinance violation instead of a misdemeanor charge in circuit court.

Under the recently adopted rules, first-time offenders caught with
less than 8 grams will receive a city ticket. Those caught with more
than 8 grams of marijuana will face a misdemeanor charge, and second
and later offenses will be handled in circuit court, District
Attorney Mark Rohrer said in February.

On Monday, the council voted unanimously to adopt bond amounts that
were recommended by Municipal Judge Daniel Glaeser.

Adults found in possession of marijuana will have to pay a $300 bond
and get a minimum six-month driver's license suspension. For
possession of drug paraphernalia, adults will have to pay a $150 bond
and get a six-month or longer driver's license suspension.

A juvenile in possession of marijuana will have a $150 bond and a
six-month or longer suspension of the juvenile's driver's license.
For possession of drug paraphernalia, juveniles will have a bond
amount of $75 plus costs and will have their driver's license
suspended for six months or longer.

"I think it's reasonable," said Alderman Paul Tittl. "I believe that
it is painful enough to cause people to think twice . There has got
to be some teeth to it for it to be effective."

The city ordinance prevents a county circuit court judge from
expunging the offender's record after the sentence is served. The
conviction will appear if there are any future offenses because a
city citation can't be expunged.

Previously, suspects tried their case in circuit court where they
faced the possibility of $1,000 in fines, six months in jail and a
six-month driver's license suspension.

Other City News

Also on Monday, Mayor Kevin Crawford unveiled a new downtown banner
system with installation to be completed by Aug. 2. Crawford said
after the meeting that the banners reflect the city's marketing and
branding efforts with the New North regional group.

The 18-inch by 5-foot banners come in 17 multi-colored designs with
theme words such as "historic" and "vibrant." The banners will be
installed from 14th Street east to Eighth Street and from Eighth
Street north to State Street, Crawford said.

One new large banner will replace the current design of two banners
on poles at pedestrian sidewalks, Crawford said.

Crawford said it took about four months to develop the banners with
the help of the Manitowoc City Center Association. The banners were
financed through the city's budget, he said.