Opinion
Lapidus for County Board
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The Dane County Board of Supervisors may not have the high profile of other governing bodies that affect Madison, such as the state Legislature or the Madison Common Council.
But students living in the 5th District — which covers a significant portion of the UW campus and Eagle Heights — will have the opportunity to go to the polls April 4 to vote for a candidate that could potentially impact life within the district. And given the two candidates in the election, there is one clear choice.
That choice is David Lapidus.
Mr. Lapidus may be a mere freshman, but he has already displayed a remarkable record of service on campus, specifically as a representative on the Student Services Finance Committee. And though he and his sense of fiscal responsibility have been slighted by many on the committee — including his proposal to limit the salaries of ASM officials — we feel he would be a positive addition to the Board.
Unlike his opponent, Ashok Kumar, Mr. Lapidus seems to have a strong understanding of the workings and limitations of the Board. He proposes creating an online tenant rating system to protect prospective tenants and consolidating environmental services within the county to increase environmental quality while minimizing wasteful spending.
Further, Mr. Lapidus understands the realities of government spending and understands that a light rail system in Dane County is not feasible given the demographics of the area.
We believe Lapidus will not engage in the futile symbolic legislation that typified the current occupant of the seat, Echnaton Vedder. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Mr. Kumar, who has tilted at windmill after windmill, gallivanting about downtown Madison, going on hunger strikes and getting arrested.
Lapidus, unlike Mr. Kumar, draws his support from a grassroots effort rather than entrenched bases of power in the county. His showing of 29 percent in a four-way primary represents a remarkable accomplishment for someone who has been in Madison for less than one year. The infusion of new blood would do the Board good.
The 5th District has often been referred to as a student seat on the Board. However, with Mr. Lapidus' professionalism and his knowledge of local government issues on the Board, we believe the seat, and the student voice by extension, will no longer be marginalized as it has been in the past.
Mac VerStandig and Mike Robinson did not participate in the crafting of this editorial.
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Wow, BH endorsing a conservative... that's a big surprise.
What a load of crap, Herald. First of all, crazy David will never be taken seriously by other Board members when there is a liberal majority and he is so conservative. Second of all, to pretend that Ashok's campaign isn't grassroots is such a joke. You might not like his volunteers or agree with them, but one of the reasons he's been so successful is that he has such a broad base of support.
Also, how does Lapidus's online rating thingy have anything to do with county government? It is certainly not within the "workings and limitations of the Board" but is something he could do in his free time if he actually cared about it. I say liberate his free time by electing Kumar, and see if he follows through. (Plus, he's going to be pretty busy creating a new student government from what I hear.)
Wait... Are you serious?
This guy is pretty out of control. I just hope voters see that he's not at all interested in representing students but is instead interested in advancing his crazed political views and trying to become famous. People like that don't deserve to be elected.
David Lapidus is "so conservative" that he supports decriminilizing marijuana and setting up a tenant rating system.... isn't this school supposed to be striving for truth?
How will David have time for county board if he's simultaneously running for both SSFC and ASM Student Council?
Can we say power hungry?
NOBODY SHOULD EVEN VOTE, Lapidus and Kumar are both insane!
One gets himself arrested pointlessly and goes to every rally under the sun (how many were there yesterday?) and the other's calling for the complete collapse and replacement of ASM.
APRIL 4th, DON'T VOTE!
Oh, and Lapidus wants to start a new student government as well. Have fun with all of that, sir.
Anonymous (March 30, 2006 @ 11:54am):
"This guy is pretty out of control. I just hope voters see that he's not at all interested in representing students but is instead interested in advancing his crazed political views and trying to become famous. People like that don't deserve to be elected."
Up yours. You're delusional, so back to bed with Kumar.
As someone who has seen David in action on SSFC for the last few months, I would like to way in on this debate. I can't think of a single motion that David made (other than to adjourn) that actually passed. You can blame the other 15 or so members n SSFC for not listening to him, or you can entertain the idea that he has failed to articulate his ideas in a convincing manner. If he can't even get fellow students to get on his side, how will he be taken seriously on Dane County Board?
The BH shouldn't just base their recommendations on ideas. There has to be a person behind them with the skill and political suave to implement them. That is NOT David.
I couldn't agree with you more. It's too bad the tree huggers of Dane County prefer to have a representative who will no doubt continue to tilt at windmills, gallivant about downtown Madison, go on hunger strikes and get arrested. Oh well...
It'a a shame that some people are so threatened by David Lapidus who is a clear thinker. He sees the big picture and is not afraid to make proposals that are unpopular because they are novel or fiscally responsible. I'm with the Badger Herald and "herald" their endorsement of David Lapidus.