Does Madison need more flame throwers?

The police monitor is a battle for Madison’s soul.

Can you appreciate the courage required for Alder Will Ochowicz to propose firing Madison’s interim police monitor, Aeiramique Glass? 

The young alder has taken on the social justice warriors who close down city streets seemingly at will and venerate criminals like Corey Ruiz as martyrs to racist Madison. They F-bomb private residences and dox dissidents. Their mission is to defund the police (sometimes by other means) and empty the jails. They are a public nuisance.

Should Alder Ochowicz prevail, it will signal that Madison will no longer dance to the angry bullhorn. Because there is no way to satiate the Woke mob and run a functioning city. Already, the progressive borg, centered around Brenda Konkel’s city-nuisance social justice center, has targeted Ald. Ochowicz for recall.

‘A worm like Ochowicz’

“We need a new alder,” proclaims former alder Brenda Konkel, now head of the social justice center and a City human services contractor. 

“There was a time that the 2nd district had some of the most progressive/Green Party voters in the state of WI. … We were the flame throwers. The role of these alders was understood — be the most progressive you can be.”

“I was thinking the same thing as you,” OIPM data cruncher Greg Gelembiuk agreed on social media. “This warrants a recall petition. I doubt that what he’s doing aligns with what his constituents want.” Ochowicz’ Second Aldermanic District skirts Lake Mendota between Lake and Blair Streets within view of the state capitol. 

Former Wisconsin State Journal city editor Steven Verburg trashes his former employer on social media and engages in personal invective.

“One of the reasons a worm like Will Ochowicz isn’t immediately recalled for trying again and again to wreck the Office of Independent Police Monitor is the absence of real journalism to expose city hall’s lies about IPM Aeiramique Glass.”

Eighteen of the 20 alders agreed to put his legislation on the October 20 agenda. Since its introduction Tuesday 10-06-26, current and former council presidents Sabrina Madison and Yannette Figueroa Cole and Alders Tag Evers, Derek Field, and Regina Vidaver have signed on, bringing the total to six. 

The case against Glass is almost as long as Corey Ruiz’s rap sheet; among others: That she violated city contracting policy, violates state open records law, has done nothing to search for a permanent monitor as required, and obstructed police clearing the Ruiz encampment 08-04-26.

→ Channel 3000 is reporting that Green Bay police have submitted their investigation of “Meeka’s” alleged interference to the Dane County district attorney. 

‘A paradox and an absurdity’

Gelembiuk is a city employee whether he admits it or not. He argues that the OIPM is beyond the control of the elected Common Council. Well, the office IS independent — but only of the police department, not the City of Madison! Mayor-for-Life Paul Soglin instructs: 

Whoever pays the salary is in control. The idea of an independent police monitor paid for by a government (the city of Madison) may be a noble idea but it is a contradiction, a paradox, absurdity, irony, and oxymoron. It does not make sense.” 

The Council could give OIPM its own attorney, as Ms. Glass demands; also, its own purchasing agent, info tech shop, and personnel bureau — it would STILL be a City of Madison agency subject to the mayor, the council, and city ordinance — all of which is subject to Chapter 62 of WI Statutes. ONLY the legislature can create a truly independent agency, as it has with the Police & Fire Commission. 

Blaska’s Bottom Line: Madison’s independent police monitor is like socialism: someday it will work if only we could find the right person to do it.

Have you contacted your alder?