Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz has characterized the Mifflin date debacle as a major headache for the city and police. This collective migraine stems from the fact that the city is suffering from needless over-planning in preparing for two Mifflin Street block parties.
In some ways, they have prepared effectively. Since realizing that the traditional May 7 date conflicted with the start of finals week, the city has had the foresight to ban glass bottles, analyze labor and budget constraints and operate a contingency arrest processing center for both the contested May 7 date and its alternative, April 30. Regardless, the ordeal for students, particularly Mifflin Street residents, is failing to subside.
Meanwhile, an undeniably clear solution has emerged.
Regardless of which date the city deems \official,"" the words of Mifflin Street residents and the stance of Associated Students of Madison suggest that a full student-led block party on April 30 is inevitable. That said, the city's support for a May 7 date with plans for both dates is economically idealistic and, frankly, impractical.
The mayor is obligated by current contracts with police to spend at least $40,000 on May 7, regardless of the size of the party. In planning for a potential April 30 party, the mayor has predicted a $96,000 price tag. Since the April 30 date will invariably see throngs of student partiers, the city will, at a minimum, pay approximately $136,000 for both weekends. If the city continues to push for a May 7 date, they will pay as much as an additional $40,000 for police overtime work on that day.
In a letter sent to Mifflin Street residents dated April 12, Captain Mary Schauf of the Madison Police Department said there would be an ""excessive additional cost"" to switch dates that the city ""cannot bear."" Capt. Schauf's remarks do not add up. Even if the city stands firm on the May 7 date, students will gather on April 30 and, according to the mayor, both April 30 and May 7 will be ""adequately staffed"" in order to ensure public safety no matter the cost.
It therefore makes perfect sense for the city to rally behind the April 30 date--a scenario everyone can happily walk away from. Not only will the city save money, but police will have only one party on one day to enforce. Also, students will be able to partake in the complete Mifflin Street Block Party experience without having to worry about a final examination the next day.
Mayor Cieslewicz told The Daily Cardinal Wednesday to ""give [the city] seven more days; we'll see what we can do."" However, continuing to mull over the issue with the police union, Mifflin Street residents and ASM representatives, city officials will only lengthen the time until a decision is made and communicated.
Additionally, with April 30 as the official date, the party and its effects will be easier to control. Police will have a clearer mandate for enforcing noise ordinances, glass bottle laws and other regulations. A May 7 date would confuse Mifflin Street residents regarding what will and will not be enforced on either day.
This common-sense approach presents a win-win opportunity for both the city and students and should be supported by the mayor's office, police department, university and Mifflin Street residents immediately. Failure to do so has the potential to result in mass confusion, hundreds of unnecessary citations, arrests and a general distaste for the city in the mouths of university students.
We respectfully implore the mayor and city to thoughtfully consider a solution in which April 30 is the official Mifflin Street Block Party date.
This must be done with the greatest expedience. Time is running out.
