ACTION ALERT:Wisconsin Community Vs. Deaf Child

New Update

http://dekerivers.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/sun-prairie-finally-will-aid-deaf-child/

FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY PLEASE READ THIS   It only gets worse.

The City of Sun Prairie has more than a PR problem.  The small southern Wisconsin city has a moral one as well.  And, you can weigh in to make a difference.

A taxpaying family in Sun Prairie has a child who is deaf.   In order to make the child’s neighborhood safer, the family asked the city to place a sign on their block where they live to alert motorists to the deaf child.  The city public works office said no!

Sun Prairie has picked a most unusual way to start to be frugal with their tax revenues.  After constructing some very costly city buildings over the past few years, including a library and city works building, the city now seems unable to ante up the $200.00 it would take to ensure the safety of a child.  This is the most bizarre attempt to save money that I have heard about in many years.

Tonight on Madison television (WKOW-TV), the Director of Public Works for Sun Prairie, Larry Herman, went on camera to defend the indefensible.  He said that the city has only placed one such sign for a blind person, and that was after the family had paid for it, including the labor.   I wonder just what Herman thinks the family believes their tax dollars is to be used for–perhaps more administrative overhead at the Public Works Department?!

There is a time for city employees to be fiscally prudent with tax dollars, and then there is just being an ass.  Herman showed everyone that the City of Sun Prairie has their priorities all messed up.

If Tiny Tim were alive, Herman would probably like to find also a way to remove the crippled boy’s crutch.

As WKOW-TV reported, the City Of Madison pays for the same such signs, and also their labor.  It should be noted that in some communities we understand that we are our brother’s keeper, and a helping hand in time of need.  Sun Prairie should be ashamed!

I suggest sharing with Larry Herman your thoughts.  Even if you live outside of Sun Prairie, this deserves our collective attention as it strikes to the core of who we are as human beings, as caring citizens.  Mr. Herman can be contacted with the following information.

Contact Name:	Larry Herman, Public Works Director
Phone:	(608) 837-3050
Fax:	(608) 837-3914
Email:	lherman@cityofsunprairie.com
	Sun Prairie, WI 53590