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by Badger Herald Editorial Board

Sunday, January 15, 2006

In Dane County, as in most, county-level government is a no-frills workhorse toiling away in the background on mundane affairs. Yes, adequate roadways, county parks and proper zoning are necessary, but they are not exactly the most riveting issues. On the whole, county government is probably the least relevant political arena where student attention and activism are concerned.

Nonetheless, four student contenders are vying for the chance to represent District 5 on the Dane County Board this spring. To get through the Feb. 21 primary and ultimately succeed in the general election, we feel a candidate must exhibit a few basic qualities to earn the right to speak for the most student-heavy district in the county.

First and foremost, a successful candidate must overcome the failings of the previous occupant of the position. A more visible and accessible representative is a must. District 5 needs a county board supervisor willing to maintain a high public profile on campus, engage in a regular dialogue with constituents and make an effort to benefit the student population in a concrete way. Students deserve a champion who will interact with them through town hall meetings, listening sessions, surveys, letters to the editors and personal contact.

A good candidate will also educate the student body about the role of the county board in student lives. Informing voters that the county level of government exists and matters will be half the battle. In a district that contains numerous undergraduate dorms from Kronshage to Chadbourne, familiarizing first-time voters with the entire electoral process will also be crucial.

Finally, a worthy candidate will demonstrate relevant experience. Previous campus engagement as a student advocate or elected representative will help. Proof of a mature and reasonable demeanor will be important, too. In a body that contains a range of folks from Willy Street progressives to farmers from outlying townships, it is crucial that the student voice is not dismissed out of hand as a joke.

As the county board race unfolds this semester, watch for a candidate who will put county board matters on the student radar screen without jeopardizing the chance to make students a respectable part of the county debate.

Mac VerStandig and Mike Robinson did not participate in the crafting of this editorial.

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Anonymous (January 18, 2006 @ 1:56am):

A just and completely unbiased assesment of the county board race. Nice work, ed board!

Anonymous (January 18, 2006 @ 10:34am):

Unquestionably, if you're looking for the candidate with the most relevant experience and deepest connection with the student body, you're voting for Ashok Kumar. If you're looking for a candidate to not rock the boat and play back-bencher for two terms, Adam Korn. If you're looking for a newcomer with solid ideas but no experience, Sean Cornelius. And if you're looking for a Republican, which I am not, David Lapidus fits the bill. At this point, I really like the look of Cornelius and think he might do a great job. His website is terrific.

Kumar is obviously the front runner, though, and I think he'd do a swell job, too, although I can only imagine how some of the rural conservatives would treat him. "I though we got rid of Indians in Dane County a long time ago..."

Anonymous (January 18, 2006 @ 11:21am):

This commentator obviously is from out of state, probably one of Kumar's buddies pandering to his needs. Kumar has no REAL experience beyond campus protests and quitting ASM in a blaze of glory to get some attention. He loves to get attention in everything he does - but DOES nothing else. Besides creating a facebook page to slander the chancelor and getting arrested in protest to ROTC, really, what has Kumar done for the public interest?
The bias within that response is utterly deplorable.

Anonymous (January 18, 2006 @ 11:25am):

Cornelius has solid ideas? Right. That's why he said on his facebook page that if civil liberties aren't protected by the federal or state governments, the municipality must do this duty in their place. Too bad Dane County government has ABSOLUTELY NO JURISDICTION over constitutional rights. Cornelius has no LOGICAL ideas - yes, lets try to do things that are COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE for a local government to do. Great job, Sean.

And, in the previous response, why isn't Sean attacked by Kumar...?

Anonymous (January 18, 2006 @ 11:29am):

"...although I can only imagine how some of the rural conservatives would treat him. 'I though we got rid of Indians in Dane County a long time ago...' "
Nice job on being blatantly racist towards Dane County residents, Anonymous.
BH, thanks for the great article.

Anonymous (January 18, 2006 @ 11:42am):

"Unquestionably, if you're looking for the candidate with the most relevant experience and deepest connection with the student body, you're voting for Ashok Kumar."

Ashok Kumar has relevant experience on one issue, minimum wage laws. I have no idea how this makes him experienced over issues concerning public safety, human services (besides living wage), and the environment. Also not to mention, his wage law policies make little economic sense.

"If you're looking for a candidate to not rock the boat and play back-bencher for two terms, Adam Korn."

I have no idea what this even means.

"If you're looking for a newcomer with solid ideas but no experience, Sean Cornelius."

Sean Cornelius has no meaningful ideas. The extent of his "solid ideas" is that he just worked in a liminology lab so he must be qualified to discredit current County environmental programs that are making progress in cleaning up manure, storm run off, and phosphorus levels in County lakes, according to most experts and current Board members (I would bring up other relevant policy areas but he has none). His town hall meeting and student suggestion idea is no novel policy, it is basically a requirement for whatever person is elected supervisor. The other candidates don't need to mention it, it is a given in my mind that any of the four would do this.

"And if you're looking for a Republican, which I am not, David Lapidus fits the bill. At this point, I really like the look of Cornelius and think he might do a great job. His website is terrific."

David is a Libertarian Republican that is true, but this fact is not relevant to this race whatsoever. It is a non-partisan race and position and David who I have seen on the campaign trail is not just campaigning to leftists like the other three candidates, he is campaigning to everyone regardless of their politics. He is trying to come across as the candidate for reasonable solutions to Dane County problems that anyone can sympathize with and it is working, he has a uniting appeal. I don't care for partisan titles, I care about good policy, and David Lapidus seems to have a policy edge and knowledge of the issues above all the other candidates.

Cornelius' website has cool flash graphics. How this will make him a good county supervisor I have no idea. I guess for you though we should elect people based off the bling of their website.

"Kumar is obviously the front runner, though, and I think he'd do a swell job, too, although I can only imagine how some of the rural conservatives would treat him."

Kumar is definitely the front runner, no debate there, however, I think he'd be more of the same on the Dane County board. More resolutions trying to affect US foreign policy and other things irrelevant to Dane County, and of the relevant stuff, more badly thought out policies like Kumar's suggestion to racialize the justice system by having race quotas determine who officers can arrest, rather then the violation of the law.

Anonymous (February 2, 2006 @ 7:45pm):

David Lapidus fits your description.

Anonymous (February 21, 2006 @ 10:15am):

David is a thoughtful, empathic, logical young man who understands the issues. He is a man of his word and is above reproach from an ethical standpoint. He does not let emotions sweep him away. He knows what's important and has the ability to see the forest for the trees. He will be a great asset for the Board. He has my vote.

Anonymous (February 23, 2006 @ 9:18pm):

The Dane County Board is a two year term. Kumar is a junior. Do the math. He will be graduating in May 2007. Is he planning to stick around in Madison to complete his term, or is he going to resign and move on? Maybe Lapidus is a better choice since he is a freshman and will definitely be on campus for two more years. Their platforms are very similar. They both strike me as bright, dedicated young men who are committed to community service and to the greater good.