Blatant sexism' to be on trial By JIM NAPOLI of the Cardinal Staff An amendment that would take the "blatant sexism" out of the rules for the Dane County Board has been introduced-by a man. Madison Supervisor David E. Clarenbach (Dist. 4), has proposed an amendment that would substitute the term "Chairperson" for "Chair- man" and make over 70 other changes in the language of the rules to make all references to gender non-specific. "IT IS ONLY through deleting these cases of blatant sexism that we can hope to change more subtle attitudes," Clarenbach said in a press release on his proposed amendment. The proposal will probably be referred to the board's judiciary com- mittee at its April 5 meeting, he said. Clarenbach admitted he had not consulted with any of the five women on the board before drawing up his bill. "The real problem is that there isn't any planned action or com- munication between board members. The liberal faction is really split up." He noted, however, that he first announced his proposal at a meeting of the Second Congressional District Women's Political Caucus. Madison Supervisor Mary Kay Baum, District 9, said she had also intended to draw up a bill to eliminate "sexism" from the board's rules. She added that although she hadn't yet seen Clarenbach's proposal, she would "probably support it, as long as it includes all the necessary changes.' WGT 3/30/73 Lunney Executive Write-In Pushed A group of liberal City Coun- cil and County Board members is urging a write-in vote for Wil- liam Lunney for county execu-| tive. They are Supervisors Roney Sorensen, Dist. 5; Mary K. Baum, Dist. 9; Eddie Handell, Dist. 8; David Clarenbach, Dist. 4; Ald. Susan Kay Phillips, Dist. 9; aldermanic candidates Tim Slater, Dist. 5, and Fred Kreu- ziger, Dist. 4. Lunney was defeated in the Mar. 6 primary. Anti-Sexist Rule Change Proposed An amendment to the rules of the Dane County Board that would substitute "chairperson" for "chairman" and make more than 70 other changes in refer- ences to members has been pro- posed by Supervisor David Clar- enbach, Dist. 14. "There are presently five women serving on the County Board and undoubtedly more will be serving in the future. By having the rules reflect a na- tionwide change in attitude in this regard, we can make fur- ther progress in the fight for equal rights for women," Clar- enbach said. He said the use of terms like "chairman" presumes that a woman either will not or cannot fill the position. "It is only through deleting these cases of blatant sexism that we can hope to change more subtle attitudes," he said. Beyond changing the "chair- man" references, the resolution calls for the addition of the words "or her" to every refer- ence to "his", and the addition of "or she" to every reference to "he." 4/13 CT "Environmental Goals for Roadsides' Workshop Set "Environmental Goals for Topics for discussion by high Roadside Maintenance." an all-way officials, game specialists day workshop for people in-botanists and other experts wil include identification of native volved with management of rights-of-ways along Dane species, the concerns of utili County Highways, will be held ties, esthetics, and problem with recent maintenance prac here Friday, April 13. tices. The workshop, sponsored by The Natural Beauty Counc the Dane County Natural Beauty Committee planning the work Council and the Dane County shop includes Olive Thomson Highway Department, is sched- Mt. Horeb; Mrs. Daryl David uled for 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in son, Belleville; and Count the Highway Administration Board Supervisors David Cla Building, 2302 Fish Hatchery enbach, Madison, and Claren Severson, Sun Prairie. Rd. --- FROM: Supervisor David E. Clarenbach 136 E. Gorham Street Madison, Wisconsin 53703 H: 251-2528; 0: 266-3518 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 24, 1973 page 2 Board, but assuming leadership positions on key committees and commissions." A proposed amendment to the Rules of the Dane County Board which would substitute the word "Chairperson" for "Chairman" and make over 70 other changes which would place women on the Board on an equal footing with men, has been introduced by Madison Supervisor David E. Clarenbach (District 4). Speaking at a meeting of the Second Congressional District Women's Political Caucus, Clarenbach said, "There are presently five women serving on the County Board, and undoubtedly more will be serving in the future. By having the rules reflect a nation-wide change in attitude in this regard, we can make further progress in the fight for equal rights for Π women." "Language which is not specific to one gender or another is coming into greater use by legislative bodies and in governmental publications. It is not unusual to find a 'chairperson' of a state task force or of a federal department. It is time for Dane County to catch up," Clarenbach said. "By the rules of the County Board saying 'the Chairman shall do this' or 'his duties shall include that,' we are presuming that a woman either will not or cannot fill that spot. There are over 70 examples of this offensive language in the rules." "It is only through deleting these cases of blatant sexism that we can hope to change more subtle attitudes," Clarenbach said. "Dane County has adopted an affirmative action plan for its own employees. Women are playing an ever-increasing role in county activities, not only through serving on the County In the proposed rule change, where ever the word "Chairman" appears, the word "Chairperson" shall be substituted, where ever the word "his" appears, the words "or her" shall be added, and where ever the word "he" appears, the words "or she" shall be added. MORE - --- AMENDING THE RULES OF THE DANE COUNTY BOARD AS THEY RELATE TO GENDER WHEREAS there are presently five women serving on the Dane County Board, with undoubtedly more to come; and WHEREAS the County Board has adopted an affirmative action plan for its own employees; and WHEREAS women are playing an ever-increasing role, through participation and leadership, in county activities; and WHEREAS language which is not specific to one gender or another is coming into greater use by legislative bodies and governmental publications; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rules of the Dane County Board be amended so that where ever the word "Chairman" appears, the word "Chairperson" shall be substituted; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that where ever the word "Vice-Chairman" appears, the word "Vice-Chairperson" shall be substituted; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that where ever the word "Chairmanship" appears, the word "Chairpersonship" shall be substituted; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that where ever the word "his" appears, the words "or her" shall be added; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that where ever the word "he" appears, except in Rule XVII, the words "or she" shall be added. submitted by: David E. Clarenbach Dane County Board District 4 --- 10893 VOICE of the people Clarenbach Calls for Pressure on Solons (Madison) - The Wisconsin State Legislature is currently in the process of considering an extremely important bill dealing with constitutional rights of public- school students. This should be of great interest and concern to us all. The Student Rights Bill, S-659, guaran- tees "due process" in disciplinary actions, including prior notification of school rules and punishments and the right to a hear- ing. It also guarantees freedom of speech and press, guards against dress codes, or any political or social discrimination or unequal access to school facilities. In addition, it outlaws tracking or leveling of students (often a form of racial and socio-economic discrimination), and bans discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy or marital status. In other words, the Student Rights Bill grants the lawful, constitutional rights of students, which every other Wisconsin resident now enjoys. Each of these rights is regularly violated throughout Wisconsin. Upon passage, a fine or imprisonment would result in schools officials flouting these statutes. S-659 is currently in the Senate Commit- tee on Judiciary and Insurance, which is controlled by conservative Republicans. There is, however, hope that the committee will send the bill to the Senate with a posi- tive recommendation. But to give S-659 a chance for passage by the legislature, a massive pressure cam- paign must be mounted throughout the state. Each Senator and Assemblyman must receive dozens of letters, phone calls, and visits from constituents asking him to support the Student Rights Bill. Wisconsin Youth for Democratic Educa- tion is working to see that a statewide campaign is organized. They are located in Madison at 216 N. Hamilton (phone: 256-5719), and are eager for assistance. I strongly urge everyone who remembers what high school was like, to contact their Senator and Assemblyman now, before this bill goes down to defeat. It is being authored by Sen. James Flynn (D-West Allis), and is being co-sponsored by Sens. M. Swan, Dorman, and Reps. Berger, Barbee and Flintop. These people are get- ting a lot of pressure against the Student Rights Bill, and they should be commend- ed for standing firm. This is a very far-reaching proposal that deserves, our support. With a strong effort on our part, Senate Bill 659 can be passed. -David E. Clarenbach. --- COUNTY BOARD REPORT DAVID CLARENBACH YOUR COUNTY SUPERVISOR DISTRICT 4 I want to thank the people of the fourth district for their confidence in my performance on the County Board these last two years. I am unopposed in the April 2 elections, and look forward to representing your interests on the County Board in the future. I've prepared this report on my first term in office, and on what I hope to achieve in the next session. I've also included some thoughts on important contested elections this April 2. --- Clarenbach THE RECORD ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Many environmental problems are due to uncoordinated policy-making. I authored a plan to create an Environmental Protection agency on the county level, with jurisdiction over quality standards COUNTY JAIL REFORM As a member of the jail committee, I have fought for progressive correctional reforms. Now, the county provides humane educational, medical and recreational services not previously available, and work- release programs for inmates. DISCRIMINATION ELDERLY Dane County has committed over $65,000 to elderly Independent Living and nutritional programs this year. We must greatly expand our interests in this most important field. Any type of discrimination against women, minorities or homosexuals cannot be tolerated. I favor strong safeguards against this sort of discrimination. CLARENBACH MASS TRANSIT & BIKE PATHS I have strongly advocated a balanced transportation system. Dane County has worked with the state and City of Madison in expanding bus service, and constructing needed bike paths and routes. NARCOTICS SQUAD An emphasis on petty marijuana arrests has hurt efforts against serious drug problems. I have worked to decriminalize mari- juana in Dane County. LAKE WEED PROBLEMS I fought Weed cutting programs must be increased in scope to clean-up Lakes Mendota and Monona. for more weed cutting, and against use of destructive chemicals. ETHICS & FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE My ethics ordinance would require all county elected officials to publicly disclose their economic interests which might effect their actions in office. My voluntary disclosure statement is filed with the County Clerk and is a public record. TAXES Renters and property owners all pay taxes, and are victims of regressive property taxes. I voted against the 1974 budget due to excess spending and the many inadequate and improper programs being funded. PUBLIC HOUSING The Dane Co. Housing Authority has been established to provide homes for low- and moderate-income persons on a non-profit basis, and I support an expanded public housing program. URBAN SPRAWL & DEVELOPMENT Excess growth and development must be controlled, to preserve our county and city as a livable place. I strongly oppose zoning changes which allow destruction of agricultural lands and encourage development. --- VOTE APRIL 2 SCHOOL BOARD - Michael Zarin and Bettye Latimer can provide the necessary leadership to meaningfully improve our public schools. AUDITORIUM REFERENDUM - A "YES" vote will make the long-sought Law Park auditorium a reality for all of us in Madison. SUPREME COURT - Horace Wilkie has been the leading progressive voice on the State Supreme Court for years, and deserves re-election. ALDERPERSON - For the last two months I have served as your representative on the City Council in an interim capacity. It was a good experience and gave me a good insight into the complex nature of city problems. We now have two excellent candidates to Fill-out Dennis McGilligan's term: Carol Wuennenberg and Dick wagner. Friends and Neighbors, I view my role as your representative as being more than just going to meetings and voting in your interest. I want to hear from you, and know of your thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to stop by my home or call me any time. David ---