As Madison's April 2 local elections draw near, candidates have stepped up their campaign efforts in an attempt to sway voters. However, last Thursday two contestants broke the rules of the game.
County Sup. Echnaton Vedder, District 8, a candidate for the fifth supervisory district seat, and Ald. Tom Powell, District 5, running for re-election, were discovered going door to door in Chamberlain House of Kronshage Hall, something not allowed under University Housing bylaws.
Chamberlain Housefellow Brandy Rosborough asked the two Progressive Danes to leave.
\I told them they had to leave and if they didn't I would call the police,"" she said.
She then watched the two continue on to another building at which point she informed them she would call the police if they entered.
""Then Tom Powell turned around and said 'Fuck you,' and then they walked away,"" she said.
When asked about the situation, Powell admitted to campaigning in the Lakeshore dorms, but said he was never confrontational.
""Its always been our belief that it is a really bad policy and it does nothing but squelch student voter turnout,"" he said. ""She was raising her voice and we were calm at the time.""
The rule results in expensive elections according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, something suggested by recent campaign finance reports showing that Powell and his opponent, Ron Rosner, have each raised approximately $2,000 and that Vedder, with a coffers totaling $2,670, has raised about half that of his competitor, Ion Skillrud.
""It makes for more costly campaign because then you're more dependent on phone calls and mailings,"" Verveer said.
Both Rosner and Skillrud said they did not feel they were disadvantaged by following the rules.
""I think [students] have enough information to make an educated decision,"" Skillrud said.
