Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz discussed the Halloween riots, the minimum wage campaign and other community issues with UW-Madison students at a \Cookies and Milk"" round-table discussion Wednesday night at the Memorial Union.
""Cookies and Milk,"" co-sponsored by the Community Service Committee and the Contemporary Issues Committee of the Wisconsin Union Directorate, is a new event aimed at expanding student involvement within the community of Madison.
""We service soup kitchens and the homeless, but we need to get to the root,"" Community Service Committee officer Paul Hampton said. ""We need to get our voices heard to address social issues in Madison, as well as to help change them through service.""
Cieslewicz first emphasized the need for a stronger connection between the government and the community.
""As Americans we cannot claim to love our country and hate our government. Our country is our government,"" he said.
In addressing Halloween rioting concerns, Cieslewicz said sadly, events had not turned out as successfully as hoped. Since the larger crowd appeared Friday, Cieslewicz said he was surprised the rioting occurred Sunday.
""I was concerned at first when I approached the [area] where the band was playing,"" Cieslewicz said. ""I assumed however, due to the smaller crowds, cold and rainy weather, and the fact that less people were in costume, that the majority of the crowd would disperse after the band finished.""
However, Cieslewicz received a call at approximately 3 a.m. by Madison police to return to State Street to inspect damage and consult upset business owners who had already begun to assess the damage. During the discussion he said bar time staggering, University Inn windows, house parties and a change in the tone of Halloween events would be addressed before next year.
Cieslewicz also strongly advocated a higher minimum wage in Madison. As a previous business owner, Cieslewicz said businesses that could not afford to pay their employees a decent wage should reconsider being in business at all.
""I support a higher minimum wage; paying people a basic salary is one of the responsibilities of any business,"" Cieslewicz said.
Cieslewicz also gave the status of the city budget and affordable housing, as well as listing improvements for Madison's public transportation.
Lauren Budden, who helped coordinate ""Cookies and Milk,"" said she was glad to see people attend the informal discussion and hoped students will suggest future speakers for the round-table series.
