WEEDSTOCK RULING CLOCK TICKS

Petition Period Ends Aug. 24

BARABOO (AP) Sauk County officials are running out of time to challenge an
appeals court ruling that invalidates the county's large assemblies ordinance.

The 4th District Court of Appeals invalidated the ordinance July 24 while
ruling on a case involving a pro-marijuana rally police shut down in May 2000.

The county has 30 days after the appeals court decision to petition the
Wisconsin Supreme Court to review the decision, said Wendy Bromley, acting
Sauk County corporation counsel.

The county committee that has the authority to file the petition met in
closed session Tuesday to discuss the decision but did not decide whether
to challenge it, said Paul Endres, Sauk County Board chairman.

"At this point we have not decided to do anything," Endres said.

Board Vice Chairman Halsey Sprecher also said he has not decided whether
the county should appeal the decision.

The ordinance requires large groups to apply for a permit 60 days before an
event that is to last more than 18 hours. The county has 45 days to decide
whether to grant a permit.

The court found that both the 60-day requirement and the 45-day processing
time were unconstitutional. It also overturned a prohibition against
advertising, promoting and selling tickets before a license is issued.

Organizers of Weedstock, a pro-marijuana-legalization rally, refused to
obtain permission from Sauk County for the festival in Fairfield. Weedstock
organizer Ben Masel argued the ordinance allows officials to reject a
permit application for subjective reasons.

Sheriff's deputies broke up the Weedstock event May 26, 2000. Most people
left without incident, but 11 Weedstock participants were arrested on
contempt of court or resisting arrest charges after refusing to leave the
festival site voluntarily.