TESTIMONY

To: Small Business Assembly Committee

From: Sergeant John Conger

City of Milton Police Department

Milton, WI 53563

(608) 868-6910 ext. 25

miltonpdsergeant@ci.milton.wi.us

Re: SB 80, Traveling Sales Crew Regulation

Date: February 19, 2008

Thank you for this opportunity to address you in written form. I had originally planned to testify in person, as I have done many times, however I was unable to make arrangements to do so with such late notice.

Therefore, I would ask that you take the time to read my brief comments in regards to SB 80 that you are considering and likely debating.

To give you a brief historical perspective, I was the officer working patrol back in 1999 at the time of the Janesville crash that has been the impetus behind Mr. Ellenbecker’s cause and this subsequent legislation. At that time I had attempted to stop a vehicle for a speeding violation. That vehicle turned out to be the one that eventually rolled several times, ejecting the majority of its passengers and in the process claiming seven young lives, not to mention the physical and emotional trauma suffered by many others.

All occupants of that vehicle were members of a traveling sales crew.

That brings us to today. Where you are once again, for reasons I cannot quite comprehend, still debating the merits of legislation to regulate this industry that has shown utter disregard for the young of our society, and their precious lives.

I will not go into the detail that I’m certain Mr. Ellenbecker will when it comes to the evidence to support my statements about this industry, and the seemingly endless incidents in connection with this industry that tend to end in victimization and death.

I will leave Mr. Ellenbecker to provide that evidence, as well as the emotional side of his fight that I’m certain you respect due to the loss of his daughter.

I will simply make a brief and pragmatic plea that you move this legislation forward and pass it. It is simply an embarrassment to our State and dare I say its legislature that we are not showing the initiative to be on the forefront of regulating this industry.

We are the unfortunate home of likely the most deadly incident in connection with this inept industry. With that comes the responsibility to lead, to legislate, and to regulate this industry which is not willing, nor capable of doing that itself.

In closing, I would ask that after nine years you finally pass this legislation and make the statement that we, in Wisconsin, are not going to tolerate this industry operating here without the strictest of guidelines.

Sincerely;

Sgt. John Conger