A handful of students chatted with Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk at \Cookies and Milk,"" an informal series of discussions involving students and local public figures put on by the Wisconsin Union Directorate.
Though small in number, the participating students asked questions pertaining to issues such as the environment, homelessness, same-sex marriage and the war in Iraq.
""I think it's important to be involved in politics and I don't have much experience in local politics,"" said UW-Madison junior Kim Lampereur.
Falk related her own experiences and expressed her desire to see the current generation continue the progressive changes for which she has fought.
""Our government is only as good as we make it, by being in it ourselves and taking our turn to run it,"" Falk said.
She said working as the state Public Intervenor, a former environmental watchdog agency ended under former Gov. Tommy Thompson's administration, was an influential experience.
Falk said living near and getting to know several welfare families persuaded her to run for county government and help welfare recipients in Dane County.
Several questions posed by students related directly to the homeless in the Madison area. Falk blamed the abundance of homelessness locally on the budget cuts in the state and local governments. The welfare reform initiated during Thompson's administration could have worked, but educational reform was not funded sufficiently, Falk said.
Lampereur asked Falk what her position was on same-sex marriage, specifically concerning Dane County. Falk said she has always been in favor of civil unions but the actions of the state Legislature prevent local officials from issuing licenses.
According to Anna Becker, Director of the Community Services Committee, the ""Cookies and Milk"" discussions have been successful. She said they plan to continue the initiative next year and larger participation will help create a more informed student body.
