Posted on 03/04/2011 4:58:42 PM PST by bigbob
DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch today backed off an original estimate that it could cost $7.5 million to clean the Capitol walls after protesters taped numerous signs to the marble.
"Our hope is that, at its minimum, we could be dealing in hundreds of thousands of dollars," Huebsch said. "At its maximum, if there is damage to wood and others and we had to get back to painstaking restoration, that's where you could easily get into the millions."
During testimony yesterday in the Dane County court case that eventually led to the clearing of the Capitol last night, DOA chief legal counsel Cari Ann Renlund provided the $7.5 million estimate for analyzing, removing and repairing damage left by tape and adhesive products to surfaces both inside and outside the Capitol. Huebsch said today that estimate was prepared in consultation with both the Division of State Facilities and an outside vendor.
"It could very easily be seven and a half million if there is damage that has occurred that we are unaware of," Huebsch said.
Huebsch, along with Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs, also said security measures in the Capitol will continue to be evaluated on an ongoing basis after Dane County Judge John Albert ruled the state's previous restrictions on access to the building unconstitutional.
Huebsch said his agency will use a "capacity management plan" to determine how many people the Capitol can hold based on the size of the building and the number of law enforcement officials in the Capitol at a given time. He said that plan will remain "flexible" since the Capitol does not conform to the city of Madison's fire code or have a maximum occupancy total.
Huebsch said a great deal of what happens next with the Capitol's security will depend on what happens when the building closes tonight. He said he takes the protesters at their word that they will voice their opinions during the building's operating hours, then leave at the end of the business day.
Chief Tubbs said security has proceeded smoothly today and that a breach of the State Street doors last night remains under investigation. Both officials commended law enforcement and protesters for the very limited number of arrests over the course of the protests. The current number of arrests stands at 16.
"I think it's been exemplary to see how Wisconsinites can behave when tensions are high, when emotions are strong," Huebsch said.
Based on the photos I'd seen it looked mostly like signs taped to the marble, plus a bunch of slobs living like pigs for two weeks. That is nasty and unacceptable but it never sounded like $7.5 million worth of damage.
If you or I went and taped up a sign I have no doubt we'd be fined. But apparently if you invite a few thousand of your union brothers and sisters to do the same (and worse), it's called civil disobedience and you get off scot free.
Everyone left and the building was closed peaceably at 6 pm tonight. Guess marble floors without a sleeping bag is where they draw the line.
Wonder if the outside vendor that provided the estimate was a union shop?
Hire union workers to repair or not?
All states need to make note and install rules for entry to the state house that preclude bring personal sleeping gear, demonstration materials etc. People their cameras and lobbying documents welcome, but all the rest doesn’t come in. WI let this get away from them..
A little over a decade ago The Capitol was refurbished for 35 million/wing (4 wings). I worked for the company that made all desks, podia, coat-racks, paneling etc...everything made out of quarter sawn white oak that you see in the place. It pains me to think of the destruction that the union-friendly cops allowed.
“Both officials commended law enforcement and protesters for the very limited number of arrests over the course of the protests.”
The Capitol police have solved an old musical dilemna...
WHEN A FELON’S NOT ENGAGED IN HIS EMPLOYMENT (his employment)
OR MATURING HIS FELONIOUS LITTLE PLANS (little plans)
HIS CAPACITY FOR INNOCENT ENJOYMENT (-cent enjoyment)
IS JUST AS GREAT AS ANY HONEST MAN’S (honest mans)
OUR FEELINGS WE WITH DIFFICULTY SMOTHER (-culty smother)
WHEN CONSTABULARY DUTY’S TO BE DONE (to be done)
AH, TAKE ONE CONSIDERATION WITH ANOTHER (with another)
A POLICEMAN’S LOT IS NOT A HAPPY ONE
AHHH
WHEN CONSTABULARY DUTY’S TO BE DONE, TO BE DONE,
A POLICEMAN’S LOT IS NOT A HAPPY ONE.
WHEN THE ENTERPRISING BURGLARS NOT A’BURGLING (not a’burgling)
WHEN THE CUT THROAT ISN’T OCCUPIED IN CRIME (-pied in crime)
HE LOVES TO HEAR THE LITTLE BROOK A’GURGLING (brook a’gurgling)
AND LISTEN TO THE MERRY VILLAGE CHIME (village chime)
WHEN THE COSTER’S FINISHED JUMPING ON HIS MOTHER (on his mother)
HE LOVES TO LIE A’BASKING IN THE SUN (in the sun)
AH, TAKE ONE CONSIDERATION WITH ANOTHER (with another)
A POLICEMAN’S LOT IS NOT A HAPPY ONE
AHHH
WHEN CONSTABULARY DUTY’S TO BE DONE, TO BE DONE,
A POLICEMAN’S LOT IS NOT A HAPPY ONE (happy one).
Aren’t those pigs coming back on Monday?
I don’t doubt that things are a mess, but who ever came up with that 7.5 million dollar figure in the first place is a jack-ass!
So... I guess if it’s just a million or two, it’s OK.
I read that and started laughing so hard I fell off my perch!
The incomparable Tony Azito as the Sergeant of Police, with the recitativ done in Gregorian Chant (with organum!) You don't see that every day. You also don't see dancing like this every day.
Thanks for the background specifics.
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