By Andrew Voss
College Democrats
The population of the city of Madison is just under 230,000 people, and students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison make up almost a fifth of that number. Students make up a sizable portion of Madison's population and account for much of the city's energy. Yet, the Madison Common Council has only one student out of 20 total members, when four or five districts are arguably heavily populated by students. In the future, we could see four or even five students sitting on the city council. However, right now we have three contested races in the student districts on which to focus our attention.
The primary on Feb. 17 affects the four candidates running in District 2, an area that includes East campus and the East Johnson/Gorham area. The four candidates for District 8, which includes many of the southeast dorms, Chadbourne and half of Langdon Street, will also face off in the primary. Only two candidates are running in District 5, which includes the Lakeshore dorms and students west of Camp Randall, and both candidates are safe until the general election on April 7.
All of the candidates for city council need to respect student issues, and students on this campus can make a difference by getting involved. Whether students work for an individual candidate or educate themselves on the issues and vote for whoever best represents their voice, making an effort
is essential.
The only unacceptable choice is to do nothing, because the decisions on the city council have a tangible effect on students. Whether one looks at the Alcohol Licensing Density Plan, which limits the number of bars in the downtown area, or the Downtown Safety Initiative, which affects funding for mobile ID scanners, students directly feel the effects. Both policies are fatally flawed, and they are an attempt to put a band-aid on the festering problem of underage drinking and student safety. Both policies were enacted under the false assumption that drunken, underage students were the cause of crime in downtown Madison. If students were the problem, these policies would have fixed it. Instead, students continue to be victims of crime, not perpetrators. The two programs are simply one example of how the city council has acted against student interests, and we, as students, need to demand more from our local representatives. Students are not a problem to be shoved aside, but a potential part of the solution if we are included in the decision-making process.
Current District 8 Alder Eli Judge has been a tireless advocate for students on the council. Judge brings a unique perspective to the council as both a Madison resident and a UW student. He has struck a balance between his two perspectives and has stood up for students on numerous occasions. We need the next District 8 alder to continue Judge's legacy and to expand on his accomplishments. Thus, the College Democrats have endorsed Bryon Eagon for District 8, because we feel he best represents the student voice. The College Democrats have also endorsed Hamilton Arendsen for District 5. While Arendsen is not a student, he has expressed his willingness to make students an equal partner when creating city policy, and we are confident he will make student issues a top priority once elected. The College Democrats urge students to vote for both of these candidates as well as get involved in actively campaigning for them.
On April 7, students have the opportunity to send a message to the city. I urge students to take a close look at the candidates in their district, educate themselves and decide which candidate will stand up for their rights on the council. Students' votes and voices are the most powerful tools they have to speak to the city. Too often students have sat back and watched the city clamp down on campus. This spring, we must stand up and hold our elected leaders accountable. Vote in the primary on Feb. 17. Let's send a message to our elected officials with a record student turnout, showing that the council must listen to our concerns and issues.
Andrew Voss is a senior majoring in political science and history and is the vice chair of College Democrats. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
