Day two of The Daily Cardinal's mayoral-candidate interviews takes a look into the candidates' views on a variety of issues on campus. Both Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and challenger Ray Allen said campus events like Halloween and the Mifflin Street Block Party play essential roles in the storied Madison tradition.
How do you plan to keep Halloween a safe, fun event without decreasing UW-Madison's student involvement?
Incumbent Mayor Dave Cieslewicz: Well, I think we got a good start in 2006—the plan worked very well. I think we started to rebuild public support for Halloween and I think we just need to continue to work off that success.
Challenger Ray Allen: First of all, I've said all along that I don't want to throw a blanket over Halloween, and that's what the mayor's done. I propose the following: we extend the bar time during Halloween like we do on New Year's Eve, which will allow people to enjoy themselves and party themselves out. Secondly, we look at the venue of Halloween and explore the opportunities to bring in a different mix of people downtown.
What is one thing you would like to change about the relationship between campus and city officials?
MD: I don't know if there's really anything I would change. I think that we've got a pretty good relationship between the city and the campus: both the UW administration and the students. It's always a question of keeping the lines of communication open ... but I don't know that there's anything I'd change.
RA: I would want to have a more proactive relationship, not a reactive relationship. Students and I are meeting on a regular basis to talk about issues and concerns [they] have, as opposed to reacting to something like the difficulties at Halloween.
What is your stance on the Alcohol Density Plan and how is that going to affect students and residents?
MD: I support the density plan. The issue is not so much the management of individual bars, it's what happens when all those bars let out at the same time and you get some activity on the streets that you might not want. It's not the only solution ... but it would be a step in the right direction. If we're not going to do this, then I think we have to have other solutions.
RA: I have not been supportive of the [plan]. The mere fact of limiting bars doesn't necessarily eliminate the problem of having people who are drunk and rowdy on the streets. What we need is to work with the bars and work with the student community to have them drink more responsibly.
How big of a role are student absentee ballots going to play in April's general elections?
MD: They'll be big and I really want to encourage people to vote absentee. Students for the most part will be gone and out of town during the election and it's very important that they get an opportunity to vote.
RA: The students have always played a major role in the elections and I'm assuming they'll play the same role this election. They've always been a major factor in Madison elections.
What is your favorite thing about UW-Madison?
MD: The Memorial Union Terrace.
RA: Its diversity, thought and people.
