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Date of publication: December 21, 2011

Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette

Author: Scott Cooper Williams

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Green Bay should 'Buy American,' use recyclables, Dorff says

A Green Bay alderman is calling for the city to adopt a "Buy American" policy aimed at steering business away from overseas companies that he says may use questionable employment practices.

Alderman Ned Dorff also wants the city to adopt a sweatshop-free buying policy, as well as a policy requiring that all paper purchases include at least some recycled product.

Dorff said that while the proposals might seem unrelated, they are all intended to bring a heightened awareness to the city government's business dealings.

"There should be some ethical standards behind what we purchase," he said. "We are in an age where we're thinking about the environmental costs and the human costs."

Some other aldermen questioned whether such policies would end up costing taxpayers more and whether the city could even enforce them effectively.

Alderman Patrick Buckley said some private companies have created entire departments and devoted significant staff time to ensuring that they are buying only American-made products.

"We don't have the luxury," Buckley said. "We've got to be realistic about what we can accomplish."

A City Council committee had recommended shelving the proposals indefinitely.

But the full council voted Tuesday to direct city staff to study the concepts further and develop recommendations, after Dorff urged colleagues to give his ideas a chance.

Saying he has visited Asia and Africa, Dorff said he has seen "dismal" sweatshop conditions that some overseas countries allow companies to impose on their workers.

Some aldermen applauded Dorff's efforts to call attention to the issues.

Alderman Brian Danzinger said he welcomed the opportunity to consider possible policy changes that would make the city "an ethical and a wise buyer."

Added Alderman Amy Kocha: "I think it's a great idea."

Alderman Tony Theisen, chairman of the council's Finance Committee, said the city has considered similar policies in the past and has opted instead to continue seeking the best and least expensive products whenever possible.

Tracking the origin of products and their component parts can be difficult, Theisen said, adding that he questions how the city staff could find time for such research.

"I'd be interested in seeing how we can do this," he said. "But I certainly have some concerns."