When you go to the polls next week to decide who will run the City of Madison for another four years, be sure to choose the best man. This will pose a problem though as it has become quite clear in the past few months that Ray Allen and incumbent Dave Ceislewicz would likely both do a decent job with city governance.
As a nine year veteran of the Madison School Board and Executive on the Board for Madison Area Technical College, Allen's real experience and mettle will be strong pressed to deliver on his initiatives. Allen’s philosophy centers on poverty. He has promised a Johnson-esc War on Poverty if elected, correctly pointing out that many of the cities issues with crime, unemployment and poor education stem from poverty. He does want to expand vocational programs to increase success in job placement, focus on overhauling the Metro system rather than spend money on trolleys and try to curb high rise construction in order to keep affordable housing in the downtown area. But he has also called for questionable programs in the past like 10-10 which would add ten new police officers to the Madison force every year. Allen is a strong candidate with a clear mission: nip problems at the bud by fighting the poverty that causes them.
Mayor Dave has enjoyed much success during his term as Madison’s Mayor. The smoking ban, municipal pool and incentives for housing low income renters have all been turned into reality. His plans over the next four years include further exploring a trolley system for Madison, ear mark funds to explore solutions in downtown safety and continuing to work with business to keep Madison’s economy healthy. Cieslewicz boasts much popular support and his ability to spearhead long term initiatives like committing to the Kyoto Protocol at the city level, has proved to be politically energizing as cities across the country are now signing on to similar agendas. As a foreword looking candidate Cieslewicz has support in and outside of Madison. Honestly, it’s a tough call.
From Andrew G, The Proving Ground Senior Election Correspondent.
