[media-credit name=’SUNDEEP MALLADI/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]As an Assistant District Attorney for Dane County, a Madison City Council representative from District 4 and an active member of 14 city government committees, there is no denying Ald. Mike Verveer is a busy man.

First elected to the City Council in 1995, Verveer has since been re-elected every two years, stretching his tenure as an alder to a lengthy 13 years. As a long-standing member of the Board of Estimates, as well as a member of committees like the State Street Design Project Oversight Committee and the MATC Downtown Education Advisory Committee, Verveer maintains jurisdiction over issues that are relevant to his constituents in District 4.

"I'm basically a member of every city committee which relates to the downtown area," Verveer said.

Regarding alcohol density in his district, Verveer is one of the three sponsors of the proposed plan to limit the number of liquor licenses downtown, along with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Ald. Judy Olson, District 6. Verveer said the idea behind the Alcohol Density Plan has already been happening in the city for years, as liquor licenses in the downtown area are very difficult to obtain.

"One of the reasons why I am supportive of the concept of the plan is to allow there to be a full discussion of this and to actually allow the policymakers to vote [on it]," Verveer said. "But perhaps most meaningful, for me, is the unprecedented amount of crime recently. This, for me, was the tipping point."

According to Verveer, there are numerous studies that show alcohol density has a direct effect on the amount of crime in the area. However, he also said the plan, as it stands now, is in need of improvement.

"The plan in its current form is not satisfactory to me — it needs to be refined further," Verveer said. "If it became law, it could throw cold water on efforts to start other types of entertainment venues downtown."

Ald. Cindy Thomas, District 20, said Verveer is attentive to issues affecting his district, since he is a member of more committees than any other alder. Although they have disagreed on several issues — including the City Council's controversial decision to allow city officials to protest November's marriage amendment in their oaths of office — she said she enjoys working with Verveer.

"He goes to meetings even if he doesn't have to be there, because he's interested," Thomas said.

"I sometimes think he overdoes it."

City Council President Austin King, who will be leaving his alder position this April, said Verveer has been a role model to him and added he admires the effective ways Verveer engages people and brings students into the governmental process.

"He's one of the best public servants we have in Madison," King said. "He is always so completely accessible to students and so friendly that we're always impressed. He's also the busiest person I've ever met."

After 13 years as a member of the City Council, Verveer will be running for re-election uncontested in this April's election.