Local candidates more than welcome in dorms
The race for county supervisor is on. While some candidates, namely Ech Vedder, District 5, and Tom Powell, District 8, recently have been criticized in the news for their campaign techniques of going door-to-door in the dorms, this is one of the great ways of getting their message to otherwise often clueless students. This tactic can be a very informative experience for many first- and second-year students who may not otherwise search out the information on the candidates.
As a dorm-dweller, I for one do not mind at candidates coming to my door to let me know where they stand on issues and when and where I can vote. It also gives me a chance to inform them about issues that concern me as a student, where my voice otherwise may not be as easily heard. This can only lead to a more informed voting public and hopefully a higher voter turnout on election day. While I personally was not graced with Ion Skillrud's presence at my door, Vedder stopped by, said hello, chatted for a while and reminded me to vote Tuesday at the Union. I support candidates like Vedder and Powell who take the time to come meet me and hear my concerns so that they can more effectively represent me.
Vedder, Powell better informed on local issues
I am writing to voice my agreement with your staff's endorsement of Echnaton Vedder for County Board District 5 and also to voice my concern about your failure to recognize Tom Powell as the better candidate for City Council's 5th District. I am currently living in the University Apartments while my partner finishes his degree. Being new to Madison and relatively unfamiliar with politics, I went to the candidate forum held for both of these races at the UA Community Center on Friday, March 22. At this forum all four of these men seemed like genuinely kind and well-meaning people. However, Echnaton Vedder and Tom Powell clearly knew and cared more about the issues than their opponents. Vedder mentioned the concern many of us share with him about our gardens being taken away from us before we got to the question and answer section, where this was a question. When Ion Skillrud was asked about it, he replied that he had no idea about the current situation, but that ""if something's yours, someone shouldn't take it away.""
Tom Powell mentioned his work in fighting for affordable housing and a cleaner environment and began work on keeping the gardens years ago. I was dismayed when Rosner answered the question, ""What experience do you have with other cultures?"" by saying that language is all that separates people.
Both Vedder and Powell have shown up at my home to speak with me, while I have never met Skillrud or Rosner at any point outside of that forum. I hope your readers will consider voting for both Echnaton Vedder and Tom Powell today.
Policy against candidate visits unfortunate
The dormitory housing in the State-Langdon Neighborhood bans candidates from talking to students about local issues. This is unfortunate and surely a violation of the First Amendment. Candidates can knock on doors everywhere and students have been marginalized in local government for far too long. While our neighborhood is not taking specific stands on any candidate, we encourage everyone downtown to be a part of civic decision-making. We encourage you to learn about, and to exercise your right to affect your city.
