Opinion: Editorial
Judge-ment day
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:
- The Invisible Man Award: Wyndham Manning (May 7, 2009)
- The People's Choice Award: Jacqueline Hitchon et. al (May 7, 2009)
- The Lifetime Achievement Award: ASM (May 7, 2009)
- Honest representation (May 5, 2009)
- Junger for ASM Chair (May 5, 2009)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
On Monday, Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, announced he would not be running for reelection. While we understand his decision to move on to law school and pursue broader career moves, his presence on the City Council and dedication to the students of his district will certainly be missed.
In the run up to his election, this paper endorsed his candidacy with little more than a shrug, due to the largely indistinguishable platforms of Judge and his opponent, Lauren Woods. Since his election, however, Judge has kept to his campaign promises and done his best to adequately represent his constituents.
Judge’s passage of the tenant photo ordinance enacted a safeguard against overzealous landlords searching for reasons to take chunks out of tenant security deposits. Not only did the legislation protect tenant rights, it was done with the blessing of most area landlords — a near consensus that spoke to Judge’s ability to think through the consequences and impacted parties of any such ordinance.
Judge’s recent sponsorship of the residential lighting initiative made good on his campaign promise to provide more lighting in the downtown area in order to curtail crime in the area. The move won’t solve the issue, but it is a much needed, cost-effective solution in a time when finances are tight.
Furthermore, we commend the alder on his refusal to involve himself in the political wrangling that will occur as a result of his vacancy. Austin King’s attempt to handpick his successor was an insult to the voters of District 8, and we are happy to see that mistake will not repeated.
We can only hope the candidates considering filling Judge’s seat will not only look at his term on City Council as a model for representation but attempt to improve upon it as well.
6 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Brother Ali makes an ‘Exclusive’ stop
Muckrakers
Report: Barrett to make decision by the end of the week
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
521 W Dayton 4BR/2BA. Marble showers, dishwasher, completely updated! madisoncampusrentals.com
1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartment available for spring 2010. meltzer@wisc.edu if you are interested!
Judge you are the man. Please, please, please do something to ensure your successor is like you.
Oh, the terrible, terrible Austin King, whom the Herald could never say a nice word about in his four stellar years on the Council. Remember how the Ed Board was so outraged at King’s resignation that it took them four months to weigh in? Yeah, that’s some real outrage right there.
The praise of Eli’s term is well-deserved, but underwhelming. What gives?
Good luck with your blogging careers - Lord knows these BHers will not be working in the shrinking world of people who get paid to write.
One: Textbook ordinance Two: Photo ordinance Three: Lighting initiative
I believe that would one, two, three strikes you’re out, Andy Granias.
The textbook ordinance is meaningless, the photo ordinance decent but weak and the lighting initiative a cheap and ineffective way to address campus safety. Judge hasn’t done shit for marginalized groups since getting into office. But at least he was able to pad his resumee and get praise from the right-wing campus press for doing it.
For a Badger Herald editorial board that consistently promoted Judge’s agenda, as they rightfully should have, I’m a bit surprised at the tepid nature of this editorial. To echo the above: what gives?
Peter Griffen once asked Lindsay Lohan what she wants, over and over. So I pose to you, oh Badger Herald Editorial Gods, what is it that you want? You’re like a distant significant other who stopped communicating, oh so hard to read!!
1:21 you’re an idiot. Is that how Michael Johnson is going to run his campaign? If so, expect to lose by 500 votes to Conor O’Hagan. Tell me something mr. marginalized communities, why is Brenda Konkel and Mike Verveer singing him praises?
OK SAMIR JABIR, KYLE SZAZRSKYNZI, and MICHAEL MARTEZ JOHNSON, whatever you say. Throw some more shit on the wall, I’m sure that’ll help you win over scared white kids in Sellery.