My name is Chris Tatarowicz, and I am working with ASM as the coordinator of the Worst House in Madison (WHIM) competition this year. As you know, two of ASM’s goals are to improve the living conditions of student tenants and also to inform those tenants of their legal rights. Unfortunately, too many UW students live in sub-par conditions and are not even aware that the law says they don’t have to. Landlords abuse their power far too often in Madison, and the Tenants’ Rights Campaign hopes that the WHIM contest can bring this fact to the limelight. Any student who feels that his/her apartment is a dump is free to enter, and those who submit the worst entries are eligible to win cash and prizes. In addition to running this contest, Tenants’ Rights will also be pushing for legislation that favors student tenants, and we will be running an online survey to more fully understand the scope of the problem. More information will be provided as the semester progresses, but expect to see ASM taking an active role in favor of tenants’ rights.

Chris Tatarowicz, ASM intern and UW sophomore

In Feb. 11’s Badger Herald, Alders Jarrell, Konkel and Powell wrote their reasons for voting to halt the State Street Redesign. They explained it was because of the city budget.

At first glance, this sounds reasonable; Gov. McCallum’s draconian budget puts a strain on Madison’s budget. But the next stage in the design project wasn’t going to cost Madison a dime. If Jarrell, Konkel and Powell hadn’t delayed the project, Madison would be soliciting design sketches at no cost.

Maybe, at some point, the council will decide there isn’t money available. Madison needs to be careful how it spends money. In tight budget situations, we have to make tough choices; and people have to come first. But soliciting sketches wouldn’t take money away from anything. I urge Alders Jarrell, Konkel and Powell to reconsider their decision and instead support Ald. Verveer in continuing the process.

Jeff Erlanger, Madison Resident