Multimedia: News

Madison City Council debates, approves adding 2 seats to alcohol committee

CHARLIE GORICHANAZ/Herald video

Madison alders discussed adding two members to the Alcohol License Review Committee after hearing citizen speakers.

by Charlie Gorichanaz

Wednesday, November 4, 2009 20:29

Summary:

Ald. Bryan Eagon, District 8, backed down on his push for a permanent student voting member on ALRC in favor of adding a citizen and an alder to the committee with an understanding the mayor will appoint a student.

Ald. Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, District 5, credited the greatness of Madison to student involvement and dismissed the argument a student would represent a special interest group, saying “I have not talked to two students who have told me exactly the same thing.”

Ald. Michael Schumacher, District 18, called his support of the student voting member “a bittersweet moment” over concerns the student media did not handle their grievances appropriately.

Ald. Marsha Rummel, Distict 6, suggested ALRC should have more than one meeting per month if the meetings run too long.

Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, said “to argue that adding two members will only stifle the discussion and the debate is an ill placed argument.” She also said she consciously chose not to celebrate her birthday at the Nitty Gritty.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said it is unfortunate the city has not made students feel they have a place in city government.

Ald. Jed Sanborn, District 1, said he is concerned the council was not discussing the core issues: Does ALRC need to be bigger? Are groups that need representation not being represented?

Ald. Tim Bruer, District 14 and city council president, said he thinks adding two members to ALRC will strengthen it, and we should be less concerned with where those members are coming from.

Ald. Judy Compton, District 16, said everyone is represented through the system already because the mayor picks the people he feels are best able to represent the city and serve on the committee.