The two student candidates vying for the District 5 seat on the Dane County Board of Supervisors squared off at a debate hosted by the Roosevelt Institution and Wisconsin Students Public Interest Research Group at the Memorial Union Wednesday.
UW-Madison senior Wyndham Manning and freshman Conor O'Hagan are running for a seat that represents the campus area in the April 1 election. Roosevelt Institution President Rob Huston said the debate would give the candidates a chance to educate students about county issues.
Right now, the campus is relatively apathetic about local politics and this will serve as a forum for candidates to argue why they should care,"" Huston said.
O'Hagan said he chose to run for the position because of his many years of experience in community service and youth government. He listed his main initiatives as creating a program similar to SAFEride for students working or studying late, increasing funding for youth programs and improving downtown economics.
After spending four years working with students at UW-Madison, Manning said he wanted the position to serve the campus community and Dane County. His policy goals focus on transportation alternatives, environmental improvements and creating an arts program initiative to provide opportunities for youth.
When asked about the recently controversial issue of creating a Regional Transit Authority, the candidates had varying opinions of how to proceed with the project. Wyndham said he supported a half-cent tax increase to fund the RTA, while O'Hagan preferred to avoid taxing and deficit spending by waiting until the downtown economy was able to provide the needed funds.
Another topic of debate was environmental problems in the community, particularly the cleanliness of the city's lakes. O'Hagan suggested removing existing material from lakes and adopting other counties' plans for lake preservation. Manning said stricter environmental policies would prevent harmful substances that cause damage from entering lakes.
Both candidates emphasized their dedication to being accessible to constituents. Manning, who graduates in May, said not having the strain of student stresses will make him more available after the workday.
""I don't have to worry about exams, homework - after 5 o'clock I can drop everything I'm doing and be in a group meeting,"" Manning said.
O'Hagan said he plans to use the Internet to provide students with his schedule, contact information and a rundown of county issues.
""Technology has to be utilized by the supervisor in this district because of how students use it,"" O'Hagan said.
