Madison's Drive-Thru Ban

"Drive-thru ban in Mad-town? It's a thought"

Yes, it's a thought -- a STUPID thought.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

A member of Madison's Plan Commission thinks the city ought to consider a ban on restaurant drive-thrus.

Eric Sundquist, appointed to the Plan Commission by Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz last month, says it's only an idea, a consideration, a proposal that needs more discussion.

..."If we are serious about climate change, it doesn't make sense to approve facilities for idling cars for health and safety reasons," he said this morning. "You have a number of cars idling for several minutes on purpose. It's going backwards."

Sundquist raised the issue recently as the commission was considering approval of a new Starbucks drive-thru on Madison's east side. The Starbucks was approved, but Sundquist wondered if the issue needs further discussion.

"It seems like something like this ought to be looked at," he said. "It should either be restricted or banned."

..."I don't know what the answer is, but the issue should be looked at," he said.

If we're serious about climate change, I propose that Madison ban air-conditioning in all government buildings. If not a ban, then perhaps there should be a restriction, like thermostats set at 88 degrees.

Certainly using all that energry cooling all those government buildings is having a terrible impact on the planet.

A ban on air-conditioned government vehicles -- That's a good idea, too.

It would make sense for a Wisconsin city to enact a policy that's not business-friendly.

If there's a way for Wisconsin to hurt the state's business climate, there's a good chance that officials will take it.