Mayoral candidates Dave Cieslewicz and Ray Allen focused on Madison poverty at a debate Thursday night at Witte Hall.
Allen said before he entered the mayoral race there was no debate going on in the city over poverty. Not enough was being done with job training programs and building partnerships with the business community, according to Allen.
""There's no social program that is better than a good-paying job,"" Allen said, adding he would increase support services for those in poverty.
Cieslewicz said there is not one single solution to poverty. He said he has increased funding for the Emerging Neighborhoods Program, a city program to help neighborhoods beginning to slip into poverty or crime. The program increased support for early-start and after-school programs, as well as neighborhood associations, according to Cieslewicz.
The environment was another issue discussed at the forum.
During his term, Cieslewicz said, the city has made progress environmentally by increasing street sweeping to help water quality, and starting an initiative to fight global warming.
He also said the city is running more efficiently energy-wise, despite its growing size, demonstrating that environmentally friendly decisions can be fiscally responsible.
However, both Allen and Cieslewicz concurred that the quality of the city's drinking water needs to be improved.
The candidates also analyzed Madison's public transportation needs. Cieslewicz said the Madison Metro is strong and will continue to improve but alternative modes of transportation must also be assessed.
He has created a committee to try to make Madison the most bicycle-friendly city in America. Studies on whether streetcars are a viable option are still underway, according to Cieslewicz. Allen disagreed, saying the bus system needs more attention.
""I'm deeply concerned streetcars may hurt the bus system,"" Allen said.
Both candidates said they value student input. Allen said he would hold listening sessions regularly to gain input on student concerns if elected. Cieslewicz said his administration as mayor has not been afraid to try new ideas, even if the ideas are unpopular at first, like this year's new Halloween celebration.
""We respect students,"" Cieslewicz said. ""We respect you enough to disagree with you sometimes.""
The State Langdon Neighborhood Association sponsored the forum. The group encouraged students to remember to vote absentee in the city elections, as they take place during UW-Madison's spring break on Tuesday, April 3.
