The Badger Herald: Opinion: Lapidus for Dane County Board

Opinion

Lapidus for Dane County Board

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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:

Arendsen for District 5 (March 31, 2009)
Why can't we be friends? (March 31, 2009)
Taking the initiative (March 25, 2009)
Keep rolling (March 24, 2009)
Constructive Criticism (March 9, 2009)

by Badger Herald Editorial Board

Thursday, February 16, 2006 00:00

Ask students to weigh in on the performance of current 5th District Dane County Sup. Echnaton Vedder and one is likely to get responses ranging from "Dane County what?" to "I love Pearl Jam! Rock on!"

Indeed, the board is an afterthought at best in the minds of most campus denizens, toiling away in obscurity behind more visible bodies like the state Legislature, Madison City Council and even ASM.

But the Dane County Board does have an impact on students' lives, and with Mr. Vedder resigning after eight largely unspectacular years in office, Tuesday's primary election offers an ideal opportunity for the University of Wisconsin community to display its desire for a representative attuned to its needs on the board.

Four candidates — all students — have emerged in the race for the 5th District seat, which represents much of the UW campus area as well as Eagle Heights. Two will advance from the primary to compete in the general election.

One of those candidates should be David Lapidus.

Although merely a freshman, Mr. Lapidus has displayed strong leadership skills as an elected member of the Student Services Finance Committee. While his proposals in that body — such as reforming ASM officials' salaries — have not always received the reception they deserve, he has shown a refreshing taste for fiscal responsibility on a committee woefully lacking in that quality.

We feel Mr. Lapidus would bring the same realistic approach to the Dane County Board.

He recognizes the fiscal complications that could arise from light rail in Dane County, an area lacking the population to make such a venture feasible. He also acknowledges the need to address the issue of inflated property tax levies in the county.

Moreover, Mr. Lapidus is committed to providing students with a pragmatic and effective voice in county government, as opposed to showing a predilection toward symbolic legislation or policy outside the realm of the county board's ability to act.

A number of realistic planks comprise the Lapidus platform. Committed to protecting renters, he proposes creating an online tenant rating system. He also has announced his desire to consolidate environmental services in county government and improve the water quality of neglected Lake Mendota.

The same ability to enact meaningful change in students' best interests cannot be said of Mr. Lapidus' fellow candidates.

One candidate seems unwilling to commit to any specific policy objectives. One candidate's idealistic ends fall outside the means of the board. And one candidate is wholly unqualified for the job.

There is always the risk that a representative of a student district will be marginalized by his older and more experienced peers in any elected body. Given his professionalism, credentials and thorough approach to policy analysis, Mr. Lapidus should not fall into that trap as a county supervisor. To bring a student voice back to the Dane County Board, this editorial board believes the UW community can't find a better man than David Lapidus.

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

Feedback

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 1:44am):

Once again, the Badger Herald endorses the Republican candidate. Let it be said here, though it will be vehemently denied by his backers, David Lapidus is a Republican. He has spoken at College Republican meetings, derided liberals as "lazy", and is proposing to privatize everything and expand the jail. He is Brad Vogel's servant on SSFC, and his voting record should leave no doubt about his far-right proclivities. As with every Republican to ever run on campus, he claims no partisan affiliation. What a load of bunk.

His idiotic website idea for rating landlords has absolutely NOTHING to do with the county board, and of all the candidates he is the least likely to do anything about the lakes, since that might require regulation of corporations who are polluting. His proposal to eliminate environmental programs certainly won't help. Real solutions, indeed. Oh, and can we talk about his moronic "pledge" to give half of his pittance of a salary to UW's Saferide? Yeah, that's going to save it for sure. I feel safe already. (Talk about a non-county issue, hello?!)

The Badger Herald hasn't endorsed a winning candidate in a contested student district in a decade or so, and this will be no exception. Ashok Kumar is going to take it in a walk, and a distant second place will be a hot competition between Lapidus and Korn. Korn will fare better against Kumar because he's not a Republican, but the Dems and progressives are already backing Kumar and Korn is probably DOA. What a waste of everyone's time.

And, for the record, while today's freshmen might not know Ech Vedder, they probably appreciate listening to WSUM, whose radio tower didn't exist when Vedder was elected, but does exist today because of his efforts.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 2:05am):

better than Kumar's race quota

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 4:02am):

Good endorsement choice, BH ed board. Lapidus is clearly the candidate that can get stuff done for students, and won't just make noise.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 7:07am):

I have met David Lapidus personally and I was quite impressed with the maturity level of this freshman. He is definately passionate about his campaign and I cannot see anything getting in his way from achieving it. You have my vote David.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 1:00pm):

I enjoy the anonymous post attacking someone for their word choice... and then calling the person a moron. Nice work.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 1:02pm):

Anonymous critic,

Why does a former chair of a college democrat committee help run the Lapidus campaign? I guess since you must be an insider, you would know. Right?

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 1:15pm):

Lapidus...a Republican. Not really. He was actually endorsed by the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin but his platform has maintained essentially nonpartisan. Candidates for other offices such as Democrat Kami Eschragi have spoken at College Republican meetings and have been endorsed by the CR's. These candidates are not always even that Republican, they are just not as far-left as other candidates running for Madison positions.

David Lapidus has never coined liberals as "lazy" and this clearly false rhetoric. He has made comments that they are not as organized sometimes on campus and this is true if you look at some recent elections.

The prediction that Kumar has this election in the bag has no basis. Lapidus has ran a fantastic campaign and made sure that he's reached out to voters on both ends of the spectrum. He listens to people...Korn and Kumar do not. Look for a possible upset in both the primary and general elections.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 1:34pm):

Anonymous sycophant,

Why did Lapidus speak at the College Republicans meeting and say that he was going to win because liberals are lazy? Why is he lying to people about his true politics?

Oh, that's right. Because he's a Republican, and this district overwhelmingly isn't.

Name three prominent Democrats or progressives that are supporting Lapidus, and I will shut up. And no, his friends from New Trier don't count.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 2:13pm):

This is a NON-PARTISAN RACE. Why the hell do you throw around party labels if its COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY? Oh, because that's the way Madison politics work: claim the liberal / Progressive Dane flag. Anyone who does this is a partisan hack.

Well, I for one am convinced, Kumar is definately SHAKING UP THE SYSTEM by running the same tired old rhetoric as PD for the last thirty-five years.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 2:21pm):

Dear raging anonymous (likely) member of Kumar's staff,
Did you miss Lapidus saying that getting pointless endorsemens is less important than speaking to the entire populace?
This is a student race. You need to talk to the student base. Getting every single tiny Progressive Dane endorsement (with titles used for identification purposes only) is a task far less noble and trying than putting yourself out in the public sphere on a daily basis.
Lapidus is running the right kind of campaign. It's too bad more candidates are not.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 2:23pm):

Libertarian =/= Republican.

Local campaign =/= representative of National Republican views. Is it Republican to want decriminlization of marijuana? To help students get home safe? To have a renting system for tenant rights? Please.

Prominent "Democrat" =/= any person directly involved with ANY of the campaigns.

Finally, be nice. No reason to call people "idiotic" and "moronic" and a "sycopath". Why don't you e-mail David Lapidus and get some coffee?

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 2:36pm):

"Why did Lapidus speak at the College Republicans meeting and say that he was going to win because liberals are lazy?"

He never said liberals were lazy once again. I have no idea why people have taken one Daily Cardinal article which didn't even imply as such to mean this. Please prove to me he said this, instead of just spouting what could easily be dishonest propaganda.

"Why is he lying to people about his true politics?"

How has he lied to people about his true politics? He has said again and again that he leans libertarian Republican in national and state races, but that this is irrelevant to the Dane County Board, where the issues - nonpartisan issues - are all that matter.

"Oh, that's right. Because he's a Republican, and this district overwhelmingly isn't."

He isn't running for governor, senator, or President where him leaning Republican would matter. This is the Dane County Board - get the fact that he leans Republican out of your twisted, narrow, partisan mind - IT DOESN'T MATTER IN THIS RACE.

"Name three prominent Democrats or progressives that are supporting Lapidus, and I will shut up. And no, his friends from New Trier don't count."

I know of six (none of which went to his High School), but I will not name them out of courtesy, since I am sure they will be left to the same narrow minded attacks you and others have already unleashed upon Lapidus.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 2:53pm):

David Lapidus (February 16, 2006 @ 3:02pm):

Hi anonymous critics,

I believe that those who choose to pursue public service should be an open book; they should be as accountable as possible to their constituents. For this reason, I will not cower behind a title of anonymity. I will address all criticism here as myself, not Mr. Inconspicuous.

Before I begin answering criticisms here I would like to challenge all persons to only criticize me or any of the other candidates in an accountable and honest manner (meaning answer here with your name, not anonymous). That is the only way we can keep the political discourse of this race productive.

"Once again, the Badger Herald endorses the Republican candidate. Let it be said here, though it will be vehemently denied by his backers, David Lapidus is a Republican."

I have publicly stated that I lean libertarian Republican in state and national politics, but this is totally irrelevant in a Dane County race. Here, only nuts and bolts non-partisan issues are important.

"He has spoken at College Republican meetings, derided liberals as "lazy", and is proposing to privatize everything and expand the jail."

Perhaps you're referring to my misquotation by the Daily Cardinal. I never said liberals were apathetic, I said STUDENTS have historically been very APATHETIC when it comes to ASM and Dane County Board elections, that goes for conservatives and liberals.

"He is Brad Vogel's servant on SSFC, and his voting record should leave no doubt about his far-right proclivities."

I have my own voting philosophy, and it is quite different from Vogel's. I am impressed though that with your all powerful foresight you can translate my SSFC voting record to policies on every issue at the state and federal level.

"As with every Republican to ever run on campus, he claims no partisan affiliation. What a load of bunk."

Explain to me how my platform is Republican? What makes someone the member of a party or a partisan hack is their platform. I bet you'll have a tough time though, since there is no Dane County Board Republican platform. I suppose you prefer a partisan hack to a candidate who just runs on solutions anyone can unite around. By the way, if I am a Republican hack, how come liberals and Democrats make up my campaign staff, and are some of my biggest supporters (and no most of them are not in my frat and did not go to my High School), knowing full well I lean Republican on state and national issues? I think it is because I have good uniting nuts and bolts solutions for this position, and that is all that matters in this race.

"His idiotic website idea for rating landlords has absolutely NOTHING to do with the county board,"

It doesn't? The Board has a lot of budget influence over the Tenant Resource Center, which would be a perfect organization to set it up. At the same time the Board can easily setup a website of its own if for whatever reason TRC cannot pursue this program. Explain to me please how this has nothing to do with the County Board.

"and of all the candidates he is the least likely to do anything about the lakes, since that might require regulation of corporations who are polluting."

The programs already on the books are regulating the private sector, the only way your accusation about me could be true is if I wanted to get rid of them, which I don't. Thank you for being more knowledgeable about my platform than I am though. I am impressed you are able to find positions of mine that don't exist. I am also impressed that you think like a partisan hack and assume that just because I lean libertarian Republican in federal and state politics, I hate the environment and all forms of government regulation to protect it. I'll have you know that the State Representative I worked for back home is the only Republican State Representative in Illinois who is currently endorsed by the Sierra Club.

"His proposal to eliminate environmental programs certainly won't help. Real solutions, indeed."

I never said I wanted to eliminate environmental regulations and services. Consolidation does not mean that at all, although I guess to a partisan hack like you, it might. It is maintaining existing services with less bureaucracy and operating costs.

"Oh, and can we talk about his moronic "pledge" to give half of his pittance of a salary to UW's Saferide? Yeah, that's going to save it for sure. I feel safe already. (Talk about a non-county issue, hello?!) "

Another misconception over what my platform actually is. I would like to give half of my salary for the jumpstart costs of an ASM SAFEcab program. It is not to save anything; it is to create something new. I have no idea where your snide rhetoric above came from.

"The Badger Herald hasn't endorsed a winning candidate in a contested student district in a decade or so, and this will be no exception."

Kumar and Korn are working just as hard as me on the campaign trail; it is hard to tell who will win the primary or the general. I hope Kumar and Korn for their sake, though, do not share your arrogance over my campaign being a sure loss.

"Ashok Kumar is going to take it in a walk, and a distant second place will be a hot competition between Lapidus and Korn. Korn will fare better against Kumar because he's not a Republican, but the Dems and progressives are already backing Kumar and Korn is probably DOA. What a waste of everyone's time."

Yes, an alternative to the same Progressive Dane policies of the last thirty-five years is a waste of everyone's time. Voters don't want options or to think, they just want to automatically elect the next PD endorsed candidate.

"And, for the record, while today's freshmen might not know Ech Vedder, they probably appreciate listening to WSUM, whose radio tower didn't exist when Vedder was elected, but does exist today because of his efforts."

I'm not sure how Ech Vedder's accomplishments are relevant to this discussion. While we are on this topic though... I don't want to sound negative, but I seriously have had a hard time finding accomplishments of his beyond WSUM, perhaps someone can help me out here.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 3:24pm):

Progressive Definiton (from dictionary.com):
"A person who actively favors or strives for progress toward better conditions, as in society or government."

Progressives who support David Lapidus:
1. Robert Thelen III (ROTC leader, Madisonfreedomfighter at madison.com)

2. Danny Spirn (former College Democrat leader)

3. Kelly Sanders (former WISPirg chair, SSFC member)

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 4:25pm):

"The Badger Herald hasn't endorsed a winning candidate in a contested student district in a decade or so, and this will be no exception."

Wrong. They endorsed Vedder in 2002. Do your homework nextime pls, before spouting BS.

http://badgerherald.com/oped/2002/04/01/endorsement_county_.php

David Lapidus (February 16, 2006 @ 5:39pm):

"He also has announced his desire to consolidate environmental services in county government and improve the water quality of neglected Lake Mendota."

Have you asked him about this? I did, directly. His response was that the other candidates' positions on the lake were nothing but "empty rhetoric". He is the only one whose ideas possess "solvency."

So his position, I gather, is to do nothing. Someone else's problem."

Consolidation of environmental services isn't "doing nothing". Consolidation of existing departments and services is major policy trend of local governments who want to maintain their current services even in the face of dwindling budgets. Our current environmental services are great, but they might have to be cut under a tightening County budget, consolidation makes this possibility less likely.

"'After I gave him a look for giving me a rhetorical answer, he went on to spell out his position in more concrete terms, saying that he'd rather like to focus on the homeless and hungry than the lake. "I mean, it'd be nice to do if we weren't in such a budget crunch, but we have other priorities."'"

I can make false promises and say yes we have millions more dollars than last FY to put into environmental services and this won't take money away from public safety, but we don't. I put other budget areas like public safety above the environment as a budget priority, since we have to. If budget increases can be made, I'd prefer they were made in areas where more money would actually make a positive difference. Don't tell me you would rather not be protected from being murdered just so we can spend more on environmental services that are currently working fine and could even be consolidated.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 8:12pm):

If Mr. Lapidus wants to be transparent about the election, why does his campaign finance report not show the expenditures he's made on his race? I find it hard to believe that he could have spent no money and incurred no financial obligations by the end of the day on February 6th and still have flyers up the same evening. I for one am impressed with the efficient turnaround. If Mr. Lapidus' "solvency of solutions" can be as efficient as his printing timetable, we're in for some very solvent solutions indeed.

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 9:11pm):

lapidus sure talks about nuts and bolts a lot - maybe he is a tool of the powerful hardware interests?

Anonymous (February 16, 2006 @ 11:51pm):

don't you people have anything better to do than trash this guy? I'm going to vote and why would I want to support some weasles who spend their time posting anonymous attacks vs. a kid who obviously cares and is upfront with his politics. That is what students need as a leader and I wish our national politicans did this too.

Find something better to do.

Anonymous (February 17, 2006 @ 12:56am):

I am a Democrat that is happy to have voted for David Lapidus. David is an honest and hardworking person who would be a wonderful addition to the Dane County Board. I for one am very dissappointed to see the College Dems support a candidate who has been campaigning to college students saying "I like to smoke weed every once and a while and i should not have to face criminal charges". David does not suppport decriminilization of marijuana because he likes to smoke it. He's a person of libertarian principles. Lapidus is the best guy in the field.

matt weil (February 17, 2006 @ 2:15am):

My name is Matt Weil, and I am David Lapidus' campaign manager.

"I find it hard to believe that he could have spent no money and incurred no financial obligations by the end of the day on February 6th and still have flyers up the same evening."

Let me explain. Unlike others, who may have spent hundreds of dollars on posters, we used good old PRINTER PAPER, and our own printer to make the signs. We designed them ourselves, incurring no further costs. Since we made these astronomical expenditures of LESS THAN THIRTEEN DOLLARS on February 9th, the date when we both made and posted the signs (your information is wrong, I have the receipts), we did not file them in our report on the 6th. The next date to file campaign expenditures by is March 27th, and rest assured, they will be recorded. Thank you for your concern.

"lapidus sure talks about nuts and bolts a lot - maybe he is a tool of the powerful hardware interests?"

I have worked with David on each step of this campaign. We have received no direction from any party nor officials as to what our platform should be, what solutions to prepare to implement. Also, David decided FULLY INDEPENDENTLY to run, without ANY instruction to do so. Believe it or not, we took the time to actually THINK about our platform, much like we would like the Madison student populace to think about the candidates and this election. These petty attacks only hinder this goal, which should be shared by ALL candidates.

"don't you people have anything better to do than trash this guy? I'm going to vote and why would I want to support some weasles who spend their time posting anonymous attacks vs. a kid who obviously cares and is upfront with his politics. That is what students need as a leader and I wish our national politicans did this too."

I agree completely with this argument. David is running a campaign based on the issues, solely on the issues. We have decided to run a small-budget (not necessarily small in general), issue-oriented campaign. As state and national politics are so fargone nowadays, this is likely the ONE chance any of us will get to experience a PURE political campaign, free of partisan labels and party-line logic - why do you choose to attack us for it and try to goad us into taking these pointless labels? If you have a good answer, please convince me otherwise.

Thank you for your civility.
- Matt Weil, Campaign Manager for the Lapidus Campaign

Anonymous (February 18, 2006 @ 11:00am):

Mr. Weil,

Are you the guy who came to my apartment and made me sign up for the ballot? You should stop doing that, because it was creepy. There's no way your candidate is going to get my vote after the intimidation. Maybe he is a nice guy (maybe you are too), but me and a lot of other people in the 'Sider felt way too pressured when you guys actually came in our rooms and made us sign up. I'm probably just not going to vote at all now.

Anonymous (February 19, 2006 @ 4:02am):

"Mr. Weil,
Are you the guy who came to my apartment and made me sign up for the ballot? You should stop doing that, because it was creepy. There's no way your candidate is going to get my vote after the intimidation. Maybe he is a nice guy (maybe you are too), but me and a lot of other people in the 'Sider felt way too pressured when you guys actually came in our rooms and made us sign up. I'm probably just not going to vote at all now."

I am also resident in the statesider, responding to this comment.
Having a voice in government is an amazing privlege, and it is important to find out about each candidate and make an educated decision. It is ridiculous to feel "intimidation" from signing up to receive a ballot. If you don't like a candidate, then don't vote for them. It is absurd not to vote. You should spend a minute, learn about the candidates, and decide which one you like. Weil should be thanked for his outgoing behavior and civil service to promote voting registration regardless of who you want in the election. When people are not informed, democracy breaks down and bad decisions are made, so take a moment and learn about the county board position and make your voice heard.

Anonymous (February 23, 2006 @ 9:05pm):

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.

Anonymous (February 24, 2006 @ 9:35pm):

I never thought of that. What are Ashok's plans after he graduates? Has he ever talked about that? Maybe this whole election is just for the sport as far as he is concerned.