Ald. Zach Brandon, District 7, wrote a letter to Mayor Dave Cieslewicz demanding that the Associated Students of Madison foot the bill for the cost of the Mifflin Street Block Party April 30.
In addition to Brandon, the owner of Laundry 101, 437 W. Gilman Street, 10 other alders signed the letter stating ASM assumed the role of de facto organizer and should be billed for the cost of providing police protection and other city services.
\In no way, shape or form are they the organizers of this annual event,"" said Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. ""It is absolutely outrageous to expect the students, through their fees to ASM, to pay for the cost of this block party.""
Verveer added fines issued at the block party usually cover the police overtime costs.
Ald. Austin King, District 8, said he is also disappointed about the letter Brandon sent to the mayor.
""I'm very fearful that the purpose of this message is to have a chilling effect on student participation in city decisions,"" he said. ""I'm especially fearful that this action from Alder Brandon and his colleagues will cause students not to participate in the Halloween planning process for this year, which is the exact opposite direction we should be going in.""
