Wisconsin State Journal from Madison, Wisconsin • 1

Cf Ei'-3r Dfea. 2t2 117 DANE 3C 1C SursCa, March 14 1999 Lotteries 2C Wico.m. State Joirnal lem in courts anguage is no small pr A reliable way to evaluate interpreters is sought "My concern is that we have no Un-dards or criteria by which to jude interpreters." Richardson sas "The proceedings and the terminology used in tne courts are such that I think i interpreters) could innocently, but disastrously, make mistakes. "Whether it's a murder tnal or a traffic case, we need to make sure that people have equal access to the courts," she says. "Equal access to me meaas making sure every ord you say and every word said to you is completely understood, and I Please see COURTS.

Page 6C By Elizabeth Brixey Courts reporter la late April, a young Mexican woman will go on tnal in Dane County Circuit Court in the homicide of a Madison baby last summer. Neither the accused nor a half-dozen key witnesses speaks much English. It's a high-stakes case that calls for several skilled Spanish-speaking interpreters. "Accurate translation is critical to our case, as to every case," says public de- have proven themselves to be competent and professional and, at the moment, that's the best we can do." Richardson, who oversees court systems in Dane, Rock, Green and Lafayette counties, is among those pushing for ways to formally assess the abilities of foreign-language interpreters used in the circuit courts. Right now.

they are asked to sign a code of conduct and their names are put on a list sent out to judge's offices. fender Dorothea Watson, mho represents the accused woman. Olga Juares-Oui teres. "To switch around a word or a phrase could pose serious problems." Foreign-language interpreters are used almost every day in Dane County 's courts, and as the county's Hispanic, Hmong and other minority communities grow, so grows the need for capable interpreters in the criminal justice system. Right now, about five dozen people make themselves available as court interpreters most of them in Spanish.

But there's no process to assess their abilities in the specialized language of the law. says court administrator Gail Richardson. "The Wisconsin state court system has no training, testing or certification program for foreign-language interpreters," she says. "What we do is share among ourselves information about interpreters who Here's why Wisconsin is weird Farms, schools ready to fight pesticide bills Stricter regulations, database draw opposition before they're introduced ft l.s- Most schools asked employ pesticides Last year's survey of pesticide use in Wisconsin schools by the Department of Agriculture. Trade, and Consumer Protection showed: Of the 736 public schools that responded, 90 percent use pesticides indoors and 76 percent use pesticides outdoors.

Of the 188 private schools that responded, 56 percent use pesticides indoors and 48 percent use pesticides outdoors. On average, 46 percent of school district and staff employees who apply pesticides have received no formal training. 38 percent of schools give warnings before applying pesticides. Of all the schools that use pesticides, only 9 percent notify parents. Of the schools that responded, 85 percent have no policy covering the use of pesticides.

By Ron Seely Environment reporter Two proposed pesticide laws one that would increase regulation in schools and another that would require more reporting of pesticide use are likely to be debated by the state Legislature this session. Both proposals are the outgrowth of yearlong efforts to address what some consider flaws in Wisconsin's pesticide regulations. And both, though not yet introduced, already are facing criticism from school and agriculture officials. The first bill is called the school pesticide use reduction bill. Pushed by the environmental group Citizens for a Better Environment, the bill, among other things, would: Make routine spraying in schools illegal and require the use of Integrated Pest Management, an approach to pest control that drastically reduces the use of chemical pesticides.

Require advance, written notification of students, teachers, workers, neighbors and parents if pesticides are to be used. Require extensive reporting of when and how pesticides are used. Require training and certification of school employees who 0(1 btate Journal pnotos.CHAio SCnRciNtR Jim Leary, head of the Folklore Program at UW-Madison and author of a new book, "Wisconsin Folklore," gathers some tradition from the yass players at Puempel's Old Tavern in New Glarus. They are, from left, Roger Klassy, Water Krauss, Larry Klassy and Ralph Freitag. Folklore specialist has insights into state's unique flavor EW GLARUS You could read about it in Jim Leary's new book, "Wisconsin Folklore," or sign up for his classes in state folklore at UW- iVv -vC' -i are somewhat controversial but added that both, especially the school program, also are necessary.

"I was surprised that this hadn't been addressed years ago," said Spahn of the issues surrounding pesticides in schools. The school bill is in response to a survey conducted last year by the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. That survey showed extensive use of pesticides in state schools. See accompanying story. After the survey, the department started a pilot project to evaluate the effectiveness of integrated pest management in schools.

Department officials said it will eventually encourage such programs on a voluntary basis in all schools. But Spahn said a voluntary Please see PESTICIDES, Page 4C dence, if only I had another hand. Sure enough, there are still slogans on the wall in German and guys playing yass, a card game known only in Green County and Switzerland, while sitting at the "stamm tisch" or regulars' table. Yep. Looks pretty European to me, I think, while chewing on a crust of rye.

And such experience makes Leary's new book a fun read. While it's a scholarly look at 150 years of Wisconsin Folklore, the authors are being scholarly about people and traditions we know and love. Besides, the book helps answer a question I've had ever since I first traveled outside Wisconsin and learned that not Please see FOLKLORE, Page 7C Madison. But I prefer to see things for myself. So here I am, at Puempel's Old Tavern in New Glarus, Swiss cheese on rye in one hand, I is A V-Jl SUSAN LAMPERT SMITH ON WISCONSIN apply pesticides.

The second piece of proposed legislation would provide about $400,000 to create a pesticide-use database system. A coalition of environmental, agricultural and government groups called the Pesticide Use Reporting and Reduction Campaign is backing the bill. It would, eventually: Require annual reporting of pesticide use by all commercial and institutional applicators. Begin studies to assess household pesticide use. Make the pesticide use information available to the public, health and environmental researchers, and others on the Internet Brian Spahn, pesticide project organizer for Citizens for a Better Environment, said the proposals beer in the other.

It's called research. Leary has told me that Wisconsin has been called "the most European of states" and I'd be writing down the evi- It looks like a limburger on rye and a locally brewed Pilsner, but, for folklorist Jim Leary, his lunch represents the ways traditional food and drink have persevered in Wisconsin. Broadway-Simpson tries to prove point Lake 116 Craig Ave. Mendota, Suspects sought in shooting of two men on West Side Old Sauk Rd. University Ave.

-o t. CO Mineral Point Rd. -S 'V Odana Rd. WSJ graphic It's out to show it deserves a new neighborhood center By Dean Mosiman Wisconsin State Journal The Broadway-Simpson neighborhood is taking a big step to prove it deserves city support for a new neighborhood center. The private "Friends of the Center" is sponsoring "Rose Ball 1999" at the Sheraton Madison Hotel on Friday to help raise money for a new center in the South Side neighborhood.

The city wants to see evidence the neighborhood can organize and raise private funds before committing city money to a new center. The $50-a-plate, formal event will feature coaches and players from UW-Madison's Rose Bowl championship team, music and more. "It's the first fundamental step in mobilizing neighborhood and communitywide support for the development of a free-standing fa cial or timing commitments, Mayor Sue Bauman said. And that's what makes the Rose Ball and other neighborhood commitments important, just like neighborhood commitment was critical for the development of the Warner Park Community Center on the North Side, Bauman said. Without that commitment, "I'm not going to put a lot of city money into building something," she said.

The South Side, however, lacks the business and community organization of the North Side, and will need more city support, Bruer said. A key will be the outcome of the multimillion-dollar redevelopment of apartments and condominiums at Monona Shores on the north side of Simpson Street, according to Bruer and Brown. If the redevelopment effort is successful, the city can construct a "neighborhood house" with recreation and other programs, and won't need to provide parole and other social services at the new center, they said. Dane County Sup. Gail Rutkow-ski, 14th District, an organizer for Friends of the Center, could not be reached for comment cility," said honorary host and City Council President Tim Bruer, 14th District, who represents the area.

The former center, housed in two battered apartments in the Monona Shores housing development on Simpson Street, has been closed since last fall, a victim of financial problems and neighborhood infighting. The city soon intends to issue a contract to administer programs for the neighborhood, but the location for programs is uncertain. The city-owned apartment building where the center was located is among several structures on the south side of the street slated for demolition this fall. The city may renovate a small apartment building in the Hobo-ken Street area, said Percy Brown, acting director of Madison's Community Development Authority. The city already owns property at the corner of Hoboken Road and West Broadway Street site of two former drug houses that have been razed and a redevelopment plan calls for a freestanding neighborhood center there.

But the city has made no finan Police say incident occurred during party By Dean Mosiman Wisconsin State Journal Madison police are investigating a shooting that left two men wounded at a West Side home early Saturday morning. The suspects remained at large as of Saturday night The shooting occurred about 3 a.m. Saturday at 116 Craig a winding street of small homes off University Avenue just west of the state Department of Transportation building. Marguelin Nurse, 23, of Milwaukee, received a gunshot wound to the upper chest and shoulder area and was in fair condition at University Hospital late Saturday. Jo-, seph I.

Jones, 20, of Madison, received a gunshot wound to the hip, and was treated and released. The suspects and victims were attending a party at the home, and the shooting occurred after heated words were exchanged, Madison Police Capt Jeffrey Frye said. The police offered no further information except to say they were treating the matter as attempted homicides. Nearby residents, interviewed Saturday afternoon, said people had moved into the home on Friday and that a party unfolded in the early morning hours. The shooting appeared to have occurred on the street outside the house, they said.

The residents were shocked by the shooting, saying trouble is rare in the neighborhood. Those who gave interviews asked not to be identified, fearing retribution. At least two people called 911. "I heard gunshots and I just jumped off my bed onto the floor," said a woman who had returned home shortly before the incident She said people continued to make noise outside after the gun- shots, which sounded like "firecrackers." Another neighbor said he was awakened by gunfire and people running around his property yelling. He said a car arrived, some people got out, and then got back in and drove away.

And other people got into another car and drove off just before police arrived, he said. "It seemed like they were in kind of a panic," he said. Another resident said she didn't hear gunfire, but was awakened by pounding on the door where the party was taking place. People seemed to be trying to get inside after the shooting, she said. i a i.