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Falk speaks to College Dems

Dane County executive criticizes Mistele, culture of drinking throughout Wisconsin

Incumbent Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk spoke to the College Democrats about her platform Thursday, while City Council candidates illustrated the potential for students to have a uniquely profound effect in the upcoming elections.

Addressing issues that ranged from the drinking culture in Wisconsin and labor to transportation and energy, Falk sought to establish clear distinctions between herself and opponent Nancy Mistele.

“Her positions are just so contrary to the values that I know you share,” Falk said. “The lines are very clear. [Mistele] is anti-environment, anti-women’s rights to choose even in cases of rape and incest. She is anti-labor. The labor leaders here call her the worst labor record of any elected official they had ever worked with.”

Establishing her own platform, Falk emphasized the culture of drinking in Wisconsin as a vital issue in this election.

“Wisconsin is not normal — we drink a whole lot more, as you have seen, than any other state,” she said. “We are the worst state in the country on binge drinking, the worst state on women drinking, men drinking and the worst state in the country on underage drinking, and I have really taken it upon myself in the last year to try and change that picture.”

While acknowledging that the culture of drinking is an issue on campus and throughout the state, College Republicans Second Vice Chair Emily Monske said there are more important issues.

Another vital issue, according to Falk, is energy conservation and the environment. She explained that she has had success in appealing to the governor’s office to abandon the coal plants on campus and pursue ulterior forms of energy.

One possible solution to some environmental and energy problems facing the state is the construction of manure digesters on dairy farms, which convert the methane gas in manure into electricity, according to Falk.

“Through this innovation we will get green electricity, good paying jobs, clean energy and clean lakes,” Falk said.

City Council candidates also spoke to rally support at the meeting, emphasizing the unique power students can have on the outcome of city elections.

“In a City Council election, the numbers are going to be a lot smaller (than in presidential elections), so every vote is going to make a big difference,” District 5 candidate Hamilton Arendsen said.

District 2 candidate Bridget Maniaci said she is a living testament to the profound impact students can have in these elections.

“Voting in small numbers makes a huge difference,” she agreed. “I got through the primaries with a margin of 20 votes, and it was because of Langdon Street that I did.”

College Republicans is also looking to get out the vote.

“Although we have not publicly endorsed anyone, we are still trying to get out the vote for whoever people want to vote for. We are having great responses with getting people interested and helping people get out to vote,” Monske said.