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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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Plan Commission puts off Mifflin decision The Commission will make its decision at their next meeting on Monday, Feb. 21 after more discussion takes place. By Scott Girard The Daily Cardinal
The City of Madison Plan Commission decided Monday to refer a vote on a proposed zoning amendment for West Mifflin Street to their next meeting, scheduled for Feb. 21. Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, asked the commission to give interested parties, including the commission itself, more time to review changes developers made in building plans for the proposed apartment complex. “Frankly, I don’t believe that those modifications have been received in a timely fashion for the commission to consider this evening,” Verveer said. Prior to that request, students and neighborhood residents pleaded their cases on the issue to the commission. Including the developers, a total of 15 people spoke. Those arguing against the development included the four creators of the Facebook group, “Save Mifflin.” Co-creator and UW-Madison student Rachel Klaven touted the pop-
ularity of the group. “We attended the neighborhood meeting on Jan. 24, and after that we decided to make a Facebook group, ‘Save Mifflin,’” Klaven said. “We are now over 5,600 people.” Klaven said although some students may have thought the group centered on the annual block party, the creators have confidence at least 20 percent of the students in the group joined based on opposing the new building project. The lead developer, Pat McCaughey of McCaughey Properties, wanted to stop talk on social networking sites of a plan to develop the whole street. “Contrary to Twitter and Facebook, we’re not out there to tear down the rest of the block,” McCaughey said. “We’re not out there to take housing away from other people.” Much of the argument against the project focused on Mifflin’s historical significance as a neighborhood near campus with low rent for students.
“We do not want future individuals pushed out of this area due to prohibitive rent costs,” UW-Madison student and Facebook group co-creator Adam Milch said. Most homes’ rent range from $400-$600 per month currently. Milch is not confident the new apartments could stay in that range. McCaughey explained the fourstory height of the building, a problem for many of those opposing the development, was necessary and specifically designed to keep rent as low as possible. “If you build less units, you’re going to have to charge more rent on it,” McCaughey said. UW-Madison student and Facebook group co-creator Indy Stulka said he and others opposing the apartments do not oppose all development on Mifflin, just development which sets a precedent. “We actually want development,” Stulka said. “We don’t see this as a project that sets a good standard for development of the rest of the area.”
Mom drives teenage daughter to fight for the second time Police arrested a 35-year-old Madison woman for the second time in 10 days after she drove her daughter and others to the house of a girl her daughter wanted to fight. The woman’s 15-year-old daughter allegedly had a dispute on Facebook with a 17-year-old girl before the two confronted each
other at West Towne Mall, according to the police incident report. Multiple officers had to respond to the first situation Jan. 27, when someone reported a large disturbance outside of the home of the 17-year-old on New Berm Court. Officers cited the woman for Contributing to the Delinquency
of a Minor as a misdemeanor after the first incident, Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said. The second incident occurred early Saturday after another heated encounter between the two girls at the mall, DeSpain said. After Saturday’s incident, officers took the woman to jail.
Madison West student threatens ex-girlfriend in graveyard Police arrested a 16-year-old Madison West student Friday on tentative charges of False Imprisonment, Intimidation of a Victim and two charges of Disorderly Conduct. The boy pulled his 16-year-
faculty from page 1 Members of the Senate discussed a recommendation to create a research oversight committee. Professor Judith Burstyn spoke on behalf of the University
old ex-girlfriend out of school against her will before taking her to a nearby cemetery, according to the police incident report. After arriving at the cemetery, the boy allegedly threatened to hurt the girl but released her unharmed.
A friend of the girl’s tried to stop the boy from taking the victim out of school, but the boy allegedly pushed her down when she attempted to intervene, Madison Police Department spokesperson Joel DeSpain said.
Committee. She discussed a request to include graduate student representatives as members of the research oversight committee. “The University Committee is sympathetic to the request for student representation on governance
committees,” she said. “However, because this committee oversees research policies at the highest level, we stood by our conclusion that membership of this committee appropriately consists of those who are faculty and academic staff.”
BEN PIERSON/Cardinal File Photo
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser will defend his seat against three other candidates on February 15.
Primary to narrow Supreme Court race By Adam Wollner The Daily Cardinal
In one week, Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser will try to defend his seat against three challengers in the primary election. The two candidates with the most votes will move on to face each other in the April general election. “Supreme Court justices should not act as advocates for any cause or group, nor as legislators.” JoAnne Kloppenburg assistant attorney general Department of Justice
Prosser is running for re-election after serving on the Supreme Court for 12 years. Prosser has campaigned mostly on his experience, as he also has served 18 years in the legislature and is a former district attorney. He also describes himself as a judicial conservative. “I believe I have earned a reputation as a fair and reasonable justice who will apply the law fairly, not legislate from the bench,” Prosser said on his website. Prosser is being challenged by three people form Wisconsin’s legal community who all promise
healthcare from page 1 dates determining benefit rules. The governors threatened to take matters into their own hands if the HHS does not comply.
independence and impartiality. Joel Winnig has been an attorney in Madison for the past 33 years and specializes in divorce cases. He promises to be an “independent candidate” who will fight for working families. On his website, Winnig said he “wants to help take control of the Court away from special interests and return it to the people of Wisconsin.” Assistant Attorney General JoAnne Kloppenburg has worked for the Wisconsin Department of Justice since 1989 and has dealt with many environmental cases. She promises to be independent and impartial in her decisions. “Supreme Court Justices should not act as advocates for any cause or group, nor as legislators,” Kloppenburg said on her website. “Rather, Wisconsin residents deserve to have confidence that judges are impartial and independent decisionmakers who apply the law fairly and clearly based on the facts.” Marla Stephens was a member of the Judicial Council of Wisconsin for 15 years and is currently the director of the state public defender officer’s appellate division. Stephens said on her website she wants to “move towards a more independent, ethical judiciary with a nonpartisan advocate who reflects our values and not just those of the special interests.” “While we hope for your endorsement, if you do not agree, we will move forward with our own efforts regardless and HHS should begin making plans to run exchanges under its own auspices,” the letter said.
Bored? Kathryn Weenig/the daily cardinal
The UW-Madison Faculty Senate adopted the concepts of the New Badger Partnership, a proposed business plan that asks for more autonomy from the state, at their monthly meeting Monday.
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