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District 13 alder defends letter to the mayor
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I did sign on to the letter to the mayor encouraging ASM to be billed for the extra city expenses due to the change in date for the Mifflin Street Block Party. I did so because I agree with the spirit of the communication, that in some way ASM, as the representatives of many student groups, should take some responsibility for the proposed date change it was requesting to the mayor and city staff.
I do have constituents who are students and realize that many students feel that this position unfairly penalizes all students. I also understand that these drinking parties have negative consequences on responsible drinking and non-drinking students, as well as students of color and women, who experience increased levels of harassment during such events. While the letter may not be fair to these students, hopefully this will create some much needed dialogue and constructive action among the student population.
I understand that some student organizations have been working to address the negative impact of events such as the Mifflin Street Block Party and Halloween. However, much more is required from students to offset the negative fiscal impact on the budgets that provide city services, not to mention the many residents who have to endure the nuisances as a result of the student event after-parties.
I would agree that the letter might have not been the best way to facilitate cooperation between the city and university students. For my part in this, I ask that you accept my apology. I hope, however, ASM will take this as an opportunity to facilitate meaningful dialogue with alders representing the campus, border districts and city staff to address this serious concern. I am willing to work toward such a dialogue.
Isadore Knox, Jr.
Alder, District 13
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That's a nice concession but you're still looking at this the wrong way. It wasn't ASM that changed the date -- not in any way, shape or form. That would almost be productive, and we all know that's not what ASM is about.
Did ASM advocate the date change? Oh, absolutely, but so did virtually every other student with any sort of public voice.
And even on that note, the changing of the date was hardly the mayor caving to the will of the students -- in fact, Mayor Dave stood firm as long as he could. He simply realized that police WOULD be required for April 30 whether the city named it the official date or not.
Although, honestly, the common council must move past this perception that the student community is anything close to unified. To some students, the welfare of the city is important, and most others are varying degrees of indifferent. Now, if the former had any influence over the latter, would those riots have taken place? Of course not.
The folks advocating the earlier date were certainly not the indifferent group -- just conscious citizens aiming to protect Madison officials from underestimating the whim and power of a drunken horde... again.
-klemz
If the UW Athletic Department pitched in to defray Madison police costs on game days then *maybe* you would have a point. But that's not the case, is it?
Isadore, you let yourself become a pawn to help Zach Brandon's political aspirations. I hope that makes you proud.
All of you conservatives out there I want ot hear form you. This is your chance to shine. You obviusly agree that students whould pay for Mifflin instead of those burdensome taxes going torwad it.
Come one show us that you are not spineless greedy moneyloving windbags. Put your name on here and let us know that you are willing to take personal responsibility for your actions.
I will personally collect the money and give it to the police department.
How did this become a conservative thing? I'd rather see the city commercialize its big parties and make huge profits on these parties. Sell vendor licenses, etc.
Isadore Knox, you were endorsed by one of the student papers, and probably did well with the student vote. NEVER AGAIN. Big mistake hanging out with Zach Brandon and his press-whore crew. You are definitely going to have an opponent in two years.
To all of my fellow Milton St. homies that didn't vote: THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T VOTE!!!
I voted for Sarah King, and there's no way in hell she would have signed an insane stupid selfish letter like Isadore Knox here did! Wake up, and vote him out in two years!
In the next election cycle, we should mobilize all our resources to get these 11 twits out of office.
Gotta love local elections and the close to 18% turnout! Maybe in two years more of us will vote.
Isadore Knox:
You're a bad boy, and we're coming for you.
Please stop making the comparison to Football games. #1 A UW football game brings in HUGE profits for the city and University, the mifflin party LOSES money for the city.( If the city choose to make all mifflin party goers follow the laws and ticketed ALL those who dont they might not lose money)
#2 In the past when the UW has switched game times from day to night the Athletic department has kicked in for the extra cost to the city.
So please stop making that comparision.
Isadore,
You use the word "understand" quite a bit, but I don't think you have the foggiest understanding of what ASM is, what it does, and where its money comes from and goes. You might as well ask Hoofers to 'foot' the bill. You should more closely examine an issue before you sign your name to it.
"...the mifflin party LOSES money for the city."
Liquor stores, Cap Center, local restaurants, hotels, bars, etc... MSBP makes a LOT of money for the city.
Please do not try to compare the profit made by business's on football weekends and mifflin party, there are not even in the same ballpark!(pun intended)
It's still true that Mifflin St Block Party brings in profits for the nearby businesses. The gameday comparison still holds.
Where is the outcry over UW holding exams on Sundays???? Please, please SOMEONE out there must realize that if we were like any other place in the country and did not have exams on Sundays that this entire snafu would never have happened!!!!!!
"Where is the outcry over UW holding exams on Sundays???? Please, please SOMEONE out there must realize that if we were like any other place in the country and did not have exams on Sundays that this entire snafu would never have happened!!!!!!"
Where is the outcry over UW admitting such whiny little bitches? Who gives a shit that we have exams on Sundays? Do you really think that of the thousands of colleges and universities in the country, we're the only one to have exams on Sundays? Grow up!
Still waiting to hear from a single conservative who doesn't want tax money wasted on this and thinks that people should practice personal responsibility.
Why are you sucking off the public teat conservatives?
Step up and give your share of the costs for the police detail!
Live your ideals! Let's see that cash and names. I will collect it myself and hand it over. Come on. I am waiting. Or is it that you are all a bunch of hypocrites who don't want to pay when it doesn't benefit you, but who are happy to abuse tax money when it does?
It's called paying taxes. And seeing as I don't take money for health insurance, welfare, or anything else, I'm sure the government can spare some money of mine they should still have(but they probably don't because they are supporting a wet shelter for alcoholics who should either get help or freeze).