District 8, which covers the heart of the UW-Madison student neighborhoods, has two newcomers vying to succeed Ald. Austin King, who is stepping down after two terms. Eli Judge and Lauren Woods are both UW students and live in the neighborhood east of Camp Randall stadium.
Lauren Woods, 22, has lived in the district for two years and has been endorsed by King. Woods has served as the president of the Wisconsin Black Student Union and worked as an aide to Democratic State Sen. Lena Taylor of Milwaukee. She was recently appointed to the city's Equal Opportunity Commission and to the Regent Street/South Campus Planning Steering Committee.
Eli Judge, 19, has lived in the district since moving to Madison in 2005. He is the co-founder and past chair of Students for Equality, a group that opposed the state amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions, and which later became Students for a Fair Wisconsin.
The Daily Page conducted an email Q&A with each candidate, asking them for responses to six basic questions and eight quick-fire responses to simple choices.
Their responses follow.
Eli Judge
The Daily Page: Please identify what you consider to be the most important issue in your district and what you are going to do about it.
Judge: Campus safety is the most pressing issue for students of District 8. The recent increase in violent crime is tragic and unacceptable. I have developed a comprehensive plan with immediate and realistic solutions, including a campus-wide neighborhood watch program, reallocated police staffing and online reporting for sexual assault victims. I am proud my plan has received the enthusiastic support of County Executive Kathleen Falk and Sheriff David Mahoney as well as numerous student leaders.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
I will follow Ald. Mike Verveer's lead in supporting economic development while simultaneously promoting progressive policies. Once elected, I intend to collaborate with the business community to attract and retain businesses that provide a living wage to their employees and contribute positively to the Madison community.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
Students in my district are blessed with free access to one of the best public bus systems in the country. I will fight to expand "80" and "85" service during the winter months, so that students can arrive to class safely and on time. I also support making Madison Metro a regional transportation option by increasing service to surrounding municipalities. Students employed outside city boundaries deserve environmentally-friendly and affordable rides to work.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
I support investing more money in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to ensure its financial solvency. On the topic of campus housing, student tenants deserve a higher return on their security deposits. While students typically draw in less than 1%, tenants in surrounding municipalities receive as much as a 5% return. With the rising costs of tuition and rent, students should receive more compensation from their landlords.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
I was disappointed that some of the new Downtown Safety Initiative funded increasing compliance checks at licensed establishments. With violent crime on our streets and sidewalks, I question the necessity of four or five police officers scanning IDs at bars. Further, $300,000 seems excessive for a streetcar feasibility study. My funding priorities include a campus-wide neighborhood watch program, enhanced metro service, and expanded economic opportunity for all.
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
No. After meeting hundreds of my constituents as chair of Students for a Fair Wisconsin, I am confident that my views on the important issues are aligned with those of the students in my district. We want a safer campus, improved rights as tenants, and expanded transportation options, and I would never vote contrary to those wishes.
Name the thing you like least about Madison
Walking to class on cold, windy days.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Paul Soglin.
Do you think rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
I am pleased that parking ticket rates are lower than in most major American cities; however, I think many city streets need better postings about parking regulations.
How often do you take Metro?
I use my ASM bus pass to ride Madison Metro every day.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
The Wisconsin State Journal, after The Badger Herald and Daily Cardinal, of course.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Mallards -- it doesn't get any better than a summer evening at the "Duck Pond."
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Definitely with the crowds; I have greatly enjoyed spending my last two Halloween weekends on State Street.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
The recent spike in campus assaults and muggings demands immediate action to improve student safety.
Lauren Woods
The Daily Page: Please identify what you consider to be the most important issue in your district and what you are going to do about it.
Woods: With increased instances of crime in the downtown area, campus safety is a prominent issue in District 8. It is important we increase the number of neighborhood officers, pedestrian scale lighting, and SAFE services on campus. I drafted a comprehensive document addressing safety titled A Progressive Plan for Campus Safety that can be obtained through my Web site. Additional issues include tenants' rights, expanded civil rights and economic justice are also important to the district.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
Confront those criticisms directly. I applaud Madison for valuing working-class employees by raising the minimum wage and discussing establishing universal paid sick days. This in no way makes for a bad business climate. In fact, I argue that it creates better working conditions and a better business climate.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
It is crucial to expand our city's transportation options in order to best accommodate the growing number of Madisonians. Public transportation is better for the environment and more affordable for workforce transportation and students. The city of Madison needs to expand our bus service, especially in underserved neighborhoods, and investigate new modes of transit like light rail. It is equally important to maintain our bike paths and increase pedestrian safety.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
Demand new affordable rental housing in new development, and reject new development that doesn't benefit the community. Even though the courts have erroneously invalidated the rental portion of inclusionary zoning, the city still has a right and a responsibility to ensure mixed-income developments and neighborhoods. I will work hard to ensure affordable housing in new developments in District 8, including advocating for the construction of a new public dorm at UW.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
I think the city should spend more money on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, neighborhood officers/ neighborhood watch programs, and improving and expanding our bus system. I think the city spends too much money on expanding roads in the periphery, subsidies for the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and arresting misdemeanor drug users.
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
As an elected representative it is crucial to represent the interest of the community you serve. With that, I do not foresee a situation where I might vote contrary to the wishes of District 8. I share the progressive values of the campus community, and I will endeavor to keep in constant communication to get my constituents' feedback and let them know where I stand.
Name the thing you like least about Madison.
There is not a variety of entertainment for people of color, particularly cultural festivals.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Soglin, in his first term, because he embodied the progressive and entrepreneurial spirit that I hope to bring to city government; my only lament is that he strayed from that in his second term.
Do you think that rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
I think they are about right, I just hope to never get one!
How often do you take Metro?
Usually multiple times per day, Madison Metro is my main form of transportation, especially to get off-campus.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
The Capital Times, without a doubt.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Mad Rollin' Dolls -- those women are amazingly tough.
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Hands down, with the crowds!
Name the most botched public issue in town.
The original Patty case and Chief Noble Wray's inadequate response to it.
