Have you ever wondered who advocates for you at those hours-long City Council meetings? Do they even discuss anything that matters to you? It’s time to meet your alder.

Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2

Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, claims she is the alder for students and student interests, and has roots in the University of Wisconsin campus community as well as a history with Madison politicking.

Maniaci said one of the issues facing the City Council in the coming year that will be of importance to students is the city budget, specifically money that is going to be available for safety, such as building inspection, the Madison Metro bus system and the Madison Police Department.

“There has been a war on fun up at city hall recently,” Maniaci said. “One thing I’ll be diligent about is maintaining events on campus that students really care about, like Halloween, Mifflin and being able to go out and have venues and shows to go to.”

Maniaci said she encourages students to attend city committee meetings.

“There is so much happening with legislation at such a fast and furious pace, it’s very difficult to find the information about what is actually being passed,” Maniaci said.

Maniaci graduated from UW in 2007 with degrees in political science and economics. During her time as an undergrad, Maniaci was involved in a number of student organizations including the Daily Cardinal, WSUM, Hoofers and the Greek community.

In fall 2006, Maniaci interned at the mayor’s office. She assisted in transforming Halloween by bringing music to the State Street Freakfest celebration for the first time.

“I think my experience interning with the mayor really got me interested in running for alder,” Maniaci said. “I’ve been involved with many different parts of the campus community as a student and since graduating, and being a student at UW shaped my view of the role that students can have in the local political process.”

Maniaci was elected to City Council in April of 2009 and serves on a multitude of committees, including Housing Committee, Landlord and Tenant Issues Subcommittee and Transit and Parking Commission. Her district includes half of Langdon Street and the area around James Madison Park.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, is a native of Washington, D.C., and attended UW as an undergrad and law student. As an undergrad he was a leader in the student government.

Verveer is the second-longest serving member on City Council. He was first elected in 1995 and has since served eight two-year terms. He is an active member of many city committees, such as the Alcohol License Review Committee, Ethics Board, Board of Estimates and Vending Oversight Committee.

District 4 represents Capitol Square, State Street and neighborhoods that are generally south of Gorham Street, including all of the Bassett and Mifflin Street neighborhoods. Major student high-rises like Equinox, Aberdeen and Palisades are all included in this district.

“Over my long tenure in city hall, I have always proudly fought for student interests despite the fact that I am no longer a student,” Verveer said. “I never lose sight of the fact that I represent thousands of students, and I always do my best to put student interest first.”

For the past 16 years, Verveer has worked on many large city-sponsored events. He said Mayor Paul Soglin has expressed concern surrounding the current nature of Freakfest, specifically charging admission to be on a public street. Verveer will also look to create a safer environment next May at the Mifflin Street Block Party.

“Given the fact that things turned ugly at the last Mifflin, the future of that event will be under discussion during the next school year,” Verveer said. “It is my intention to fully engage students, especially Mifflin residents, in meaningful discussion about the future of the Block Party.”

Having served for such a long time, Verveer said he knows many “city players” and has a vast “institutional memory” which allows him to be successful in fighting for students.

Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8

Unlike Maniaci and Verveer, who are veterans of Madison’s City Council, this fall will be the first full semester Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, will have a chance to represent his student-populated district. It will not, however, be his first time involved in Madison politics.

Resnick grew up in Wausau, Wis., and graduated from UW in 2008, focusing his studies on the State Public Defenders system. As an undergrad, Resnick served on the Executive Board of College Democrats and interned with Assembly Representative Donna Seidel.

After graduating, Resnick became president of the State-Langdon Neighborhood Association and was appointed to the Joint-Southeast Campus Area Committee. He also serves as Vice President of Hardin Design and Development, a web and mobile development company.

Resnick was elected to City Council in April and is currently the youngest recent graduate serving on the Council. He also serves on a number of city committees, such as the Downtown Coordinating Committee, Economic Development Committee and Housing Committee.

“I still live downtown and frequent the same establishments I did as an undergrad, like the student union, bars, etc.,” Resnick said. “That connection to student life makes me a good representative.”

District 8 works closely with District 4, with their boundaries lying side by side. The district lies between Districts 2 and 4 but extends to Lake Monona.

Like Maniaci and Verveer, Resnick said two pieces of business he thinks will be of concern to students are the future of the Mifflin Street Block Party and Freakfest.

“Beyond that, alcohol policy downtown, with the recent amendment to [the Alcohol License Density Ordinance], will be a big thing for students this year,” Resnick said.