Ask students to weigh in on the performance of current 5th District Dane County Sup. Echnaton Vedder and one is likely to get responses ranging from "Dane County what?" to "I love Pearl Jam! Rock on!"
Indeed, the board is an afterthought at best in the minds of most campus denizens, toiling away in obscurity behind more visible bodies like the state Legislature, Madison City Council and even ASM.
But the Dane County Board does have an impact on students' lives, and with Mr. Vedder resigning after eight largely unspectacular years in office, Tuesday's primary election offers an ideal opportunity for the University of Wisconsin community to display its desire for a representative attuned to its needs on the board.
Four candidates — all students — have emerged in the race for the 5th District seat, which represents much of the UW campus area as well as Eagle Heights. Two will advance from the primary to compete in the general election.
One of those candidates should be David Lapidus.
Although merely a freshman, Mr. Lapidus has displayed strong leadership skills as an elected member of the Student Services Finance Committee. While his proposals in that body — such as reforming ASM officials' salaries — have not always received the reception they deserve, he has shown a refreshing taste for fiscal responsibility on a committee woefully lacking in that quality.
We feel Mr. Lapidus would bring the same realistic approach to the Dane County Board.
He recognizes the fiscal complications that could arise from light rail in Dane County, an area lacking the population to make such a venture feasible. He also acknowledges the need to address the issue of inflated property tax levies in the county.
Moreover, Mr. Lapidus is committed to providing students with a pragmatic and effective voice in county government, as opposed to showing a predilection toward symbolic legislation or policy outside the realm of the county board's ability to act.
A number of realistic planks comprise the Lapidus platform. Committed to protecting renters, he proposes creating an online tenant rating system. He also has announced his desire to consolidate environmental services in county government and improve the water quality of neglected Lake Mendota.
The same ability to enact meaningful change in students' best interests cannot be said of Mr. Lapidus' fellow candidates.
One candidate seems unwilling to commit to any specific policy objectives. One candidate's idealistic ends fall outside the means of the board. And one candidate is wholly unqualified for the job.
There is always the risk that a representative of a student district will be marginalized by his older and more experienced peers in any elected body. Given his professionalism, credentials and thorough approach to policy analysis, Mr. Lapidus should not fall into that trap as a county supervisor. To bring a student voice back to the Dane County Board, this editorial board believes the UW community can't find a better man than David Lapidus.
Mac Verstandig and Mike Robinson did not participate in the crafting of this editorial.
