Ald. Robbie Webber has held the City Council District 5 seat since 2003 and says her district is influenced by developments at UW-Madison. Webber represents the Lakeshore dorms and Eagle Heights.
Webber, backed by the Progressive Dane party and Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, advocates student activism, bicyclist issues, tenant rights and environmental protection. She sponsored the minimum wage increase, the big box law setting design limits on big retail outlets, the law requiring that landlords provide exterior door locks on rental units and a fertilizer phosphorus ban to curb lake pollution.
Graduate student Ben Moga opposes Webber in District 5. Moga aims to improve transportation safety, improve the quality of city services like snowplowing and leaf removal and foment small business growth. Moga aims to extend bar time on Halloween and \tell the cops to chill out and not spray innocent bystanders with Mace."" He criticized the city for not anticipating the Mifflin St. block party May 7 exam conflict. ""The city should understand that the students decide when the party happens."" He also rejected city policy on the keg identification proposal, calling it ""downright ridiculous.""
Austin King was elected Alder of District 8 in 2003. He says the biggest problems in his district are the continual abuse of tenants by unscrupulous landlords and the high cost of housing. If re-elected, he will continue pushing tenants' rights and defending the rights that already exist from further attacks from the landlord lobbies. King sponsored the Inclusionary Zoning law and is a supporter of increasing development and housing stock to slow down rent. King promises to keep being ""an outspoken progressive voice on the behalf of the students.""
King's opponent, Kami Eshraghi, says safety and housing prices are on the top of his list. He believes that dialogue between various segments of the community increases safety. ""A sense of community will allow for people to take care of each other,"" he said. He will, through education and fewer restrictions, allow for students to make their own housing decisions and allow them to wait and negotiate, which he says leads to cheaper rents. If elected, he promises to lower housing costs, make campus a safer place and continue working to lower the drinking age.
Isador Knox Jr. has many concerns for this district. He worries about the safety of neighborhood homes and vehicles, nuisance complaints, traffic safety and issues of gangs and illegal drug activity. To alleviate these problems, Knox suggests making sure there is adequate enforcement when residents call in with problems. He also recommends improving the bus services and creating alternate means of transportation, such as a street-car service. Last, he emphasizes the importance of investments in youth programs that support positive activities for kids, as well as investments in neighborhood organizations.
Sarah King said this district has many neighborhoods which greatly differ from one another and face their own unique challenges. King said the biggest problems are the current development pressures on Park Street, as well as conflicts between student renters and home owners near campus. Homeowners complain about garbage, parking and parties. King believes she can help fix these problems through facilitating communication between both sides so that ""everyone can be happy.""
