Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jul 2002
Source: Frontiersman, The (AK)
Copyright: 2002 The Frontiersman
Contact:  http://www.frontiersman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1532
Author: Scott Christiansen

PIPPEL VOTES ALONE AGAINST DRUG WAR

PALMER -- City council member Tony Pippel voted alone against the city of 
Palmer accepting a $54,000 grant for its police department to participate 
in a regional drug enforcement task force. The program is run by the Alaska 
State Troopers and is funded through money from a federal government 
program called the Byrne Memorial State and Local Law Enforcement 
Assistance Program.

Pippel has voted against the program consistently every year, usually 
alone. In December 2000, when the council was working on its 2001 budget, 
he did garner some support. At that time, former council member Joe Lawton 
made a motion that would have removed the Byrne funds from the budget. When 
the matter went to a vote it failed narrowly, with Lawton, Pippel and 
council member Diana Long in favor of removing the funds from the budget.

Pippel's words last week were emphatic but delivered in a matter-of- fact tone.

"I'm on record as being opposed to drug SWAT teams, and my position hasn't 
changed," Pippel said, "I think nationally, our drug interdiction policy is 
ineffective, expensive and in some cases immoral."

Byrne grants require a 75/25 percent split between the federal money and 
the local match. Palmer will spend $18,000 from a city account that holds 
assets seized by the Palmer Police Department, a concept which Pippel 
supported.

"If we're going to do this, then we might as well use Judas' silver to pay 
for it," he said.

When the matter came to a vote, all six of Pippel's fellow council members 
- -- including Long -- voted in favor of the Byrne grant. Mayor Jim Cooper 
tapped the table with his gavel.

"For the record, it's six-to-one in favor," Cooper said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth