MADD’s mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of violent crime, and prevent underage drinking.

A recent Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article mentions MADD and reports:  

Jennifer Bukosky, her unborn child, and 10-year old daughter Courtney Bella , were killed when a sport utility vehicle slammed into the rear of their car. Authorities say the driver of that SUV was under the influence of pills. According to court records, he has a history of drug and alcohol abuse dating back to at least 1993. Two days before the fatal crash, he’d been convicted of his third driving while intoxicated (DUI) offense and his license had been revoked.

Wisconsin officials have reacted to this tragic event by urging tougher penalties for repeat offenders. Gov. Doyle (a former attorney general) says a third DUI offense should be made a felony. MADD ( Milwaukee chapter) supports that change. MADD also advocates criminalizing a first offense. Some state legislators plan to draft bills and/or are advocating revocation of driving privileges and confiscation of vehicles for people convicted of a third DUI.

According to MADD’s Web site:

MADD was founded in 1980 by Candy Lightner following the death of her 13 year old daughter Cari. When walking to a school carnival, Cari was struck from behind by a drunk driver who had 3 prior DUI convictions and was out on bail from a hit and run arrest 2 days earlier.

In 1984, MADD changed its name from Mothers Against Drunk Drivers to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. MADD is made up of men, women and young people.

Some sobering statistics can be found on the MADD Web site, including:

• 3 in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol -related crash at some time in their lives.
• In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died in alcohol-related traffic crashes. Of these, an estimated 13,470 involved a driver with an illegal blood alcohol content (.08 or more)
• On average, someone is killed by a drunk driver every 30 minutes.
• Alcohol-related crashes in the US cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2000----including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcohol-related crash bill, which is 63% of the total cost of these crashes.

Ron Seidl is running for 3rd District Alderman against incumbent Paul Gallagher.
Information previously disclosed: A Jan. 16 NewBerlinNow news article reported that Seidl is 32, lives at 17631 W. Westward Dr., is a 2-year resident of New Berlin, works as a food manager for a retirement community and is concerned about an increase in the city part of his taxes.

Additional data: I interviewed Seidl. He said he has worked for Regency Senior Communities in New Berlin, claims to have "deep seated family values", is concerned about spending, opposes Police Department cuts, and wants to be more involved in the community. However, when I asked Seidl about the City budget, he admitted he had not seen it. He also conveyed that he has not been actively involved in any community organizations or activities-- despite living here 2 years.

Omissions: When I asked Seidl about his educational background, he declined to provide any. How odd.
No mention was made during the interview of any citations/ police record.

Subsequent Research: According to information on The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) web site Ronald S. Seidl of 17631 W. Westward Drive was charged in July of 2006 for speeding on the freeway (later amended to impeding traffic), fined $186, and for failure to wear a seat belt, fined $10. I obtained copies of those traffic citations from the Waukesha Courthouse and noted Seidl's birth date on them: 6/23/74.
The WCCA web site also indicates Ronald S. Seidl , birth date 6/23/74, was charged in February 2000 with operating a vehicle after suspension- 3rd! However, WCCA information indicates the charge was later amended to Operating Without A Valid License. The fine was $212.

Furthermore, the WCCA web site indicates Ronald S. Seidl, birth date 6/23/74, was charged in Milwaukee County in April, 1998 with Operating While Intoxicated (2nd offense), having a Blood Alcohol level above .10% (3rd offense) and Operating After Revocation (3rd offense). I have copies of the citations/deputy sheriff's complaint. They indicate results of breath test for alcohol was .14. The WCAA information indicates the BAC, and Operating After Revocation charges were later dismissed on prosecutors motion. But it also indicates that for the Operating While Intoxicated (2nd) offense, the court ordered the defendant's license be revoked for 18 months, he serve 60 days in the House of Correction and pay $1000.

Some thoughts and observations:
Aldermen serve as our representatives. We expect them to exercise good judgment, be concerned about public safety, respect and abide by laws. Their decisions affect the Police Dept. and us. Our aldermen vote to approve or deny bartenders licenses. At Common Council meetings, aldermen sometimes grill the license applicants about their past records/convictions, including Operating While Intoxicated (OWI ) and other offenses. Some applicants are denied licenses. Background checks are important.

Evidently, blogger/official Matt Thomas considers OWI significant. His Dec. 8, 2006 blog was about a WAUKESHA official getting an OWI ticket.

New Berlin Citizens for Responsible Government filed paperwork with the City Clerk on Feb. 12 officially signally their intent to disburse funds to help elect Ron Seidl and Don Counsell.

According to a Feb. 26, 2007 Community Watch/ New Berlin Now news article-- In January, an associate principal of Pewaukee High School was stopped for erratic driving, arrested by New Berlin police, and charged with drunk driving and operating a motor vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration, both 2nd offenses. She faces up to 1 year in jail, if convicted. She was placed on administrative leave while that school district conducts an internal investigation.

A few days ago, I spoke with Alderman Paul Gallagher. He's 47. Gallagher was elected in 2001 (has served 2 terms). You can check his voting record by clicking on the Common Council meeting minutes displayed on the City web site. Gallagher, an engineer, is employed at Nisson Brake. He was forthright, not secretive about his education and past OWI. He informed me he had graduated from Case High School in Racine, and revealed he'd gotten an OWI ticket once- in 1982--25 years ago.