I think most students would agree that the Alcohol License Density Plan (ALDP) is a problematic proposal. It will not effectively solve the increasing problem of safety on our campus, either alone or as part of a larger plan. Alternatives need to be explored to find more effective solutions.
Which is why this is an important discussion that Common Council should be having with students. Students would undoubtedly by affected by this plan and their voices must be heard leading up to the Council's deciding vote. Currently, the vote is scheduled to take place this summer. Clearly, this will impede on students' efforts to be a part of this discussion, since not all of us can stay in Madison during the summer months. Who will represent the students' voice if the majority of us will be gone? Students may not be around in the summer, but the majority of our time is spent in this city, and we have a right to be included in the discussion of Madison's future.
Given this situation, Council President Mike Verveer and the rest of Council, along with encouragement from Mayor Cieslewicz, should move the vote to the fall semester, when students will be on campus.
It will be discouraging if the Council does not move the currently scheduled vote. Both Mike Verveer and Mayor Cieslewicz, the co-sponsors of the plan, are known to campaign as friends of students. If they do not move the vote and give students a chance to voice their opinions, their self-proclaimed statuses as friends of students should be questioned. Mr. Cieslewicz and Mr. Verveer need to show students they are not in the pockets of the Capitol Neighborhoods Incorporated, the driving force behind the ALDP. They must prove they truly value the opinions of such a large portion of their constituency — students.
I certainly hope that the mayor and Mike Verveer don't try to "pull a fast one" on us by bringing this plan to vote over the summer. It would be a disappointing display of political trickery, and if they do make this move, hopefully students will not forget this second-rate betrayal.
Stephanie Biese
Junior, UW-Madison
Majoring in women's studies and political science
