Peter MuAoz has lived and worked in Wisconsin—particularly in Madison—for many years. MuAoz served as a board member under former Madison Mayor Sara Bauman and is currently the Executive Director for Centro Hispano.
MuAoz has been around politics most his life, but does not consider himself a politician. During his time in the area, he has helped improve the community through many proposals.
The Daily Cardinal: How would you continue to develop Madison as it grows into a city rather than a town?
Peter MuAoz: I would start by putting in place a system to bring back fiscal responsibility to office because [Mayor Dave Cieslewicz] has spent like a drunken sailor. There would also be a priority placed on our basic services ... to make them effective, efficient and according to the needs of the consumer.
DC: How do you intend to fix crime in Madison?
PM: We have many opportunities to do things better. The UW and Madison police could be improved.
I think the current proposal of $100,000 is a relatively small amount. We need to ensure that crime is not going to ruin this great city.
DC: What would you have done differently from Cieslewicz, as far as Halloween is concerned?
PM: It's an event that should be cherished. My sense is that the action taken [last year] was an overreaction.
I want to see a great collaboration with the students and community and create an atmosphere where people can have fun without harming anything. I don't want to see people having to pay to get in.
DC: What would you do to enhance the quality of arts and entertainment in the city?
PM: I want to enhance it. Take the Overture Center, we need to utilize it to its fullest potential. But at the same time, we can't put $1.6 million into it every year.
DC: What do you think of the mayor's proposal to put trolleys in Madison?
PM: We used to have trolleys, but they're gone now because they got in the way. Think about it, to put them in, traveling at 8 mph ... it's going to plug up traffic.
The reason the mayor wants to put them in is because he's afraid of cars.
DC: What does UW-Madison mean to the city?
PM: The great thing about it is that the UW is clearly a tremendous stamp. There's really nothing bad you can say about it because it creates jobs and is a tremendous research center.
DC: What city in the country most resembles Madison to you?
PM: Maybe New York City, because of the development downtown, but I think it's incomparable. It's the best of the best.
DC: How are you going to bridge the gap between rich and poor?
PM: Jobs, jobs, jobs and ones that pay a living wage.
I also think the enforcement side of it is not going to work; we need to work one-on-one and promote home ownership. It's a comprehensive solution.
DC: What are your three biggest assets?
PM: My education, experience and my collaborate approach to solving problems.
DC: How do you plan to spend your time after you're done with politics?
PM: No Washington I am not a politician. I'm cringing because right now I am swimming in shark-infested waters and being thought of as [a politician].
DC: What is your favorite album?
PM: I love Elton John ... so one of his early albums.
