COUNCIL APPROVES FINANCING DARE

The 9-5 Decision Paves Way For Another Year Of Program

Forward with funding

WAUKESHA - The city will pay for a portion of the Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program after the common council voted 9-5 Tuesday against a
measure that would have eliminated the budget item.

"I think this would be a drastic mistake," Alderman Charles Lichtie said,
speaking against the measure. "This would be a giant step backwards in
community-oriented policing."

With funding secured, the city will now split the $40,000 price tag for the
fifth-grade program with the Waukesha School District.

Support for the program was evident as about 20 parents and students donned
DARE T-shirts and held signs in favor of the initiative. Kent Winrich,
attending the meeting with his four children who have graduated from DARE,
said further support of the program by the city is appreciated.

"This is such an important program," he said. "I would hate to see this not
passed on to future students."

Waukesha police Chief Les Sharrock was pleased with the decision but said
he didn't know why the council was haggling over "Mickey Mouse money." He
added that he was in the dark on which way the council was leaning.

"You never know what to expect with these guys," he said. "But I'm pleased,
relieved."

Alderman Jeff Fowle, who cast the lone vote against the recommended motion
to cut the program at the finance committee level July 30, said eliminating
financing could lead to the elimination of the DARE program entirely.

"I'm not in favor of playing high-stakes politics with the fifth-graders of
this community," he said.

Alderman Joseph La Porte said the council should be looking out for the
best interests of the children.

"Any time you talk about doing something for the youngsters, that's what
we' re here for," he said.

Alderman James Ripplinger said he does not oppose DARE itself, but voted to
eliminate funding of the program Tuesday. He said his contention can be
contributed to a lack of tax equity, pointing to a number of families that
live within school boundaries but outside city limits.

"With the 50-50 agreement, we are double-taxing city of Waukesha
residents," he said. Ripplinger added that the program is made up of
curriculum approved by the school board and should be fully financed by the
school district.

"The school district should be responsible for establishing curriculum and
maintaining the funding," he said. "I believe it's wrong, if not illegal,
for one government body to underwrite the taxing authority of another
taxing body."