CITY COUNCIL BACKS GAY MARRIAGE

Council Makes March 14-21 Medical Marijuana Awareness Week

Madison's City Council flung itself into a national debate again
Tuesday night, passing one resolution supporting gay marriage and
another declaring a Medical Marijuana Awareness Week.

The Council approved a proposal by Ald. Matt Sloan, 13th District, to
urge Gov. Jim Doyle and the state Legislature to repeal
"discriminatory marriage laws" and oppose constitutional amendments
banning gay marriage.

"We know there are thousands of gays and lesbians, many of them in
committed families," said Sloan, who is gay. "We own homes, pay taxes
and live life in this community. ... These folks are denied the rights
that are given to other folks, rights like benefit rights, parenting
rights."

Speakers urged the city to go further and start issuing marriage
licenses to same-sex couples. But in Wisconsin, only counties can
issue marriage licenses and the mayor can't legally marry anyone.

When Sloan said he wished the mayor had the power to marry him and his
partner, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz said, "If I could, I would."

The only objection brought up during debate was that the council
shouldn't issue an opinion on a divisive issue like gay marriage.

"I do not feel it is our responsibility to speak for the entire
population of Madison," said Ald. Judy Compton, 16th District, who
abstained from voting.

The resolution passed by a vote of 11-2, with four council members
abstaining and three absent.

The council also passed a resolution declaring March 14-21 Madison
Medical Marijuana Awareness Week.

"In the face of uncontrollable suffering, marijuana has literally been
a godsend," said Gary Storck, a glaucoma patient and medical marijuana
advocate. "This resolution will send a message that this community
thinks it's wrong that under federal and state law, the sick and dying
should have to fear the police."

Ald. Zach Brandon, 7th District, said that the council should not
advocate drug use.

"Any week that promotes drug use, be it legal or illegal, is not an
appropriate message for this body to be sending," Brandon said.

The resolution passed, 11-5, with four members absent.

The council has a history of taking stands on controversial national
and international issues. Council members have debated resolutions on
everything from the war in Iraq to slavery reparations.

On Tuesday night the council also:

# Authorized the city attorney's office to pursue a public nuisance
action against property owners Robert and Lillie Garel. The action
could allow the city to take management control of the Garels'
properties at 2322 and 2326 Allied Drive.

The city attorney's office has reviewed dozens of police reports
involving drug activity, batteries and other disturbances at the properties.

# Accepted the Ethics Board's recommendation to remove Michael Kohn
from the Zoning Board of Appeals and any other city committees for
omitting information on his statement of interest form. The statement
is required of city officials to identify potential conflicts of interest.

# Approved a 12-townhouse and 252-apartment unit development at 5014
Lien Road on Madison's far East Side and a 115 unit elderly housing
development at 9401 Old Sauk Road on Madison's far West Side.