After continued internal problems and discontent expressed by downtown residents, the neighborhood association Capitol Neighborhoods, Inc. voted unanimously this week for the temporary suspension of its Alcohol Issues Committee until its purpose can be reexamined.
CNI Interim President Melissa Berger said problems began back in January 2008 with the secession of the State-Langdon neighborhood from CNI due to the group’s proposed crackdown on alcohol consumption in the downtown area.
The proposal included doubling citations for underage drinking, requiring ID scanners in 50 percent of bars and increasing the beer tax.
In an e-mail to CNI members Wednesday, Berger said since 2008, various other issues have surfaced, including AIC’s relations with the city’s Alcohol License Review Committee.
She cited the AIC’s “general quality, professionalism and tone of transmissions to the ALRC” as major issues, along with the mismanagement of applicants and license renewal issues.
“We’ve paused to flesh it all out. If I had all the answers here, we could get [the committee] back up and running lickety split,” Berger said. “We need to fix the protocol in which liquor license applications are handled, and we need to make sure that we are representing our residents more gracefully and diplomatically than we have in the past.”
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, an ALRC member, said he was present at the meeting Tuesday and added he supports CNI’s decision.
He said while the work of the AIC has been “well-intended,” it has not been representative of CNI as a whole and certainly not representative of downtown residents, specifically students.
“The committee has been dominated since its creation a few years ago by alcohol-control professionals — individuals that work for UW and the state of Wisconsin government,” Verveer said. “So, they come to this issue with an extreme bias; a bias I fully respect and understand, but (one I) do not believe is representative.”
Berger said she personally foresees the suspension extending between one and six months. She said a number of people have stepped up within the organization to say they want to fix the committee and create a better system.
“The downtown has certain alcohol issues that I think all residents can agree upon, and it’s just important to get our committee back up and running so we can work those issues out in a respectful manner,” Berger said.
Ald. Eli Judge, District 8, who played a key role in the State-Langdon neighborhood secession from CNI, said he thinks it will take some time to see if CNI will really change its policy positions, particularly those focused on alcohol.
“I’m hoping whatever transformation CNI makes — whatever comes out on the other side — is an entity that is really open to discussing alcohol issues with students in a proactive manner,” Judge said. “Whether it’s CNI directly outreaching to the student population or if it’s simply keeping an ear open for the student perspective.”
Judge added often times people downtown assume the only reason students are getting involved or opposing policy decisions is because they simply want to drink more.
However, Judge said those city residents and CNI must recognize students are capable of making sound policy decisions.
In terms of the State-Langdon neighborhood reconciling with CNI, Judge said he does not foresee the neighborhood joining CNI anytime in the near future but that he is more than willing to work on issues that can benefit both parties.
“As it stands right now, even in light of what may be a changing in a very critical policy point, I still believe State-Langdon should be separate,” Judge said.
