Opinion
Editorial: Roll out Paul Skidmore
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It's a wonder Madison Ald. Paul Skidmore doesn't wear a pink fur suit and shades.
After having previous versions of keg-registration legislation repeatedly shot down by city committees, Mr. Skidmore shows no sign of giving up. The Energizer Bunny of the Common Council is promising to introduce yet another keg-registration proposal before the Mifflin Street Block Party this year.
It seems we've heard this tune before. The citizens of Madison, Sue Crowley aside, have made it clear where they stand on keg registration.
Frankly, unless the latest incarnation of Mr. Skidmore's proposals does not require the registration of kegs, this board is firmly against it.
Mr. Skidmore's earlier efforts at petty tyranny included an attempt to limit the number of kegs residents could buy in Madison and grant police access to liquor store receipts to see which residences purchased kegs. While the details of his latest proposal have not been released, the notion of registering kegs seems, at its root, to exceed reasonable limits against government interference in the lives of individuals.
No matter how long Mr. Skidmore continues to beat his drum, registering kegs will not keep students from drinking. New laws will simply breed new and ingenious responses from Madisonians intent on securing adequate libations for a Friday night. Hard alcohol and an abundance of cans seem the only likely result of this ridiculous proposal.
Last year, most campus-area alders and virtually every legislative committee that heard his proposal also declined support. We hope all involved parties will renew their opposition should a new keg-registration proposal reach a city committee.
Please take off the suit, alder. We know you would like to keep going and going and going. We've been down this road before, though — and it's a dead end.
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Skidmore is my alder. He "represents" the far west side. The man cannot be bothered to reply to a simple e-mail. I've sent him several e-mails that have been polite in tone regarding actual issues that affect his district and have never receieved any type of reply. I've also e-mailed other alders and have always gotten a response. Once however, Skidmore sent me a "newsletter" that talked about the coming of spring and how to properly water my lawn. Very hard hitting stuff! I just have to wonder why Skidmore is so focused on this non-issue when he can't be bothered to look at real issues in his own district. I assure you that the far west side doesn't have a lot of house parties multiple kegs of beer. I think he likes being Sue Crowley's tool.
Well said. Paul Skidmore and his neocon friends are BAD for students.