June 11, 2011
The DMN e-News and an occasional hard copy DMN News are published by the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association (DMNA) on an “as-needed” schedule. The Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association, Inc. has been working to unite neighbors to solve mutual problems and promote fellowship among neighbors since 1973.
President, Jeff Glazer, president@dunnsmarsh.org 277-1778
News contact, Mary Mullen, communications@dunnsmarsh.org 298-0843
Website: http://www.dunnsmarsh.org
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/note.php?note_id=378988848623
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Summer came in with a vengeance - and now has left us with April showers and temperatures. The good news is that the heat has warmed the seeds in the garden and made the already-sprouted plants grow inches a day. No calendar this time, but be aware that the neighborhood garage sales are tomorrow (Sat., June 12), the neighborhood yard and garden walk is Sat., June 25, and the DMNA Council will be meeting on the first Mondays (starting July 6) instead of third Tuesdays (no June meeting). Enjoy the attachments showing photos of neighborhood clean ups, the pond ground-breaking and construction. (If your browser is like mine, you can go directly to the end of the e-mail and see all the attachments at once.)
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ARTICLES
In the Neighborhood
1 - Neighborhood Garage Sales This Saturday, 9 to noon
2 - Neighborhood Yard and Garden Walk, Sat., June 25
3 - Last Call for Garden Plots
4 - Garden Sheds Available Free
5 - Weather Rewarded Neighborhood Clean-Up Participants (Attachment: “1 cleanups.jpg”)
6 - DMNA Council Meeting Dates Changed to the First Monday
7 - Neighborhood Celebrations Coming in July and August
8 - Apache Pond Takes Shape (Attachments: “2 ground-breaking.jpg” & “3 pond construction.jpg”)
Summer Fun Outside the Neighborhood
9 - Concerts at McKee Farms Park, Second Mondays (Attachment: “4 concerts@McKee.jpg”)
10 - Come to Monona Terrace for Loads of Summer Fun (Attachment: “5 MononaTerr concerts.jpg”)
11 - Madison B-cycle Bike Sharing Locations Open
12 - Numbers at Your Fingertips for Crimes, Complaints, and Good Ideas (Attachment: “6 Fitchburg alders.jpg”)
Opportunities
13 - Literacy Program at B&G Club Needs Volunteers, Tuesdays
14 - Volunteer Against Domestic Abuse
15 - Madison Offers Help to Homeowners for Green Improvements
16 - Money Available for Landlords
17 - Downtown Senior Center Newsletter Available by e-Mail
From our Elected Representatives (Some interesting “stuff” here)
18 - Alder Solomon’s May 12 Update
19 - Representative Terese Berceau Gives Update on State Budget (June 8)
20 - State Representative Terese Berceau Speaks Out on the New Voter ID Law
21 - Senator Kohl Introduces Justice for Troops Act
22 - From Co. Exec. Joe Parisi.: Working With You to Keep Dane County Great
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In the Neighborhood
1 - Neighborhood Garage Sales This Saturday, 9 to noon
How many Dunn’s Marshians does it take to organize neighborhood garage sales?
One. (Or maybe two)
The one was DMNA Council member Donna Sarafin. Without her, there wouldn’t be any organized effort to have neighborhood sales this summer. But she did want to have her own sale, and then she offered to advertise the sales on Craigslist.
At any rate, the sales will be held on this Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. until noon, rain or shine.
If you are a garage sale aficionado, be sure to visit these addresses:
4313 Sheffield
2010 Whenona Drive (Prairie UU Society, corner of Whenona & Crawford)
4358 Crawford Drive
4345 DeVolis Parkway
4338 Windflower Way
There’s still time to sign up with Donna. If you are interested, contact her at dksarafin@yahoo.com or 273-0437.
Oh, and the “maybe second person” that it took to get these sales off the ground? I offered to make the signs to direct people into the neighborhood.
by Mary Mullen
2 - Neighborhood Yard and Garden Walk, Sat., June 25
How often have you wondered just what your neighbor’s back yard looks like (but were afraid to ask to see it)? Kids have no trouble going into back yards, but we adults, well, that’s another matter. We’ve learned well not to trespass.
On Saturday, June 25, starting at 10 a.m. the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association will be sponsoring and leading a Yard and Garden Walk. The idea is to visit a few yards and gardens to see what people are up to. Several very different kinds of yards/gardens will be part of the tour. We’ll be doing the tour on foot just like we did the chicken coop tour last year.
Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Prairie UU Society, corner of Crawford and Whenona.
We could add 2 or 3 more stops on the tour, so if you have a yard or garden you’ve put a lot of work into or you know a neighbor whose yard is pretty special, please contact Mary Mullen pronto: 298-0843 or mmullen@chorus.net
by Mary Mullen
3 - Last Call for Garden Plots
There may still be a garden plot or two available in the Marlborough Park Community Garden. If you are interested, call Pablo Granados at 213-2612 or Nicole Craig at 220-9001. Both speak English and Spanish.
4 - Garden Sheds Available Free
Marlborough community garden will be getting a new shed from the MATC carpentry program later this month. The new shed will be larger than the existing larger shed. MATC can deliver the shed and help us situate it, but that means that the existing two sheds on site need to be removed by that time.
If anyone would like to have one of the sheds (or both) for their own use (at their home or elsewhere, but not in the garden, though) they are welcome to take a shed for free. You must be able to remove the shed yourself.
Please let me know via email nicolec@cacscw.org <mailto:nicolec@cacscw.org> or phone (220-9001) if you’re interested.
Nicole Craig. Community Gardens Specialist
Community Action Coalition for South Central Wisconsin, Inc.
5 - Weather Rewarded Neighborhood Clean-Up Participants (Attachment: “1 cleanups.jpg”)
The faint smell of fresh garlic, the fresh sound of red-winged blackbirds and robins singing, most of all, a sunny morning after days of rain - that was Saturday, April 23, the day of the Dunn’s Marsh Waterway clean-up, the Avalon Village clean-up, and the Allied Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association Clean-up. Lots of people worked on giving the neighborhood a better look.
Mostly adults worked on the Dunn’s Marsh Waterway Clean-up. They had first attended the ground-breaking for the Apache wet pond that is now being constructed below Crescent Road. This clean-up was organized by Rick Eilertson, Fitchburg’s Environmental Engineer.
Cleaners from the neighborhood included - alphabetically by first name - Cathy Casper, Dave Martin, Donna Sarafin, Dorothy Krause, Mary Mullen, Matt Boyington, Patty Stockdale, and Ron Johnson. Three or four others from other areas also participated.
Kids were the main workers in Avalon Village. Their clean-up consisted of picking up rocks off the lawns there. Kids that filled their bags were rewarded Easter baskets. This popular clean-up was led by Sina Davis who did a super job of organizing the kids. Other adults helped also.
The third clean-up was sponsored by the Allied Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association. Part of the group, mostly teenagers, spent time picking up litter on the Verona and Beltline frontage roads. The frontage road cleaners were led by Jo Kelley.
Although lots of trash was removed from the neighborhood, litter continues to accumulate especially along the frontage roads, along the Beltline next to the traffic lanes, on business properties along Verona Road, at bus stops on the edge of the neighborhood, and near the CDA housing on Britta Parkway. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone did their part by putting their trash where it belongs?
by Mary Mullen
6 - DMNA Council Meeting Dates Changed to the First Monday
The DMNA Neighborhood Council will now be meeting on the first Monday of the month. Time: 7 p.m. Place: Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive.
Dates for the summer are July 6, August 3, and September 7. There will be no Council meeting in June.
Any resident may attend a Council meeting, but only Council members can vote. Let President Jeff Glazer know if you plan to visit. His contact information is in the masthead.
7 - Neighborhood Celebrations Coming in July and August
The two neighborhood associations that cover the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood have scheduled their traditional summer celebrations.
The ADMNA will hold their Festival in Belmar Park on Saturday July 30 during the daytime hours.
The DMNA invites the neighborhood to share an “after work” potluck picnic at Marlborough Park on Friday, August 5.
Put these events on your calendar now, and come join your neighbors at both celebrations.
8 - Apache Pond Takes Shape (Attachments: “2 pground-breaking.jpg” & “3 pond construction.jpg”)
Big changes are happening below Crescent Road at Apache Drive. Some of us may be just peripherally aware of it as that hum or growl that goes on like the whining of a pesky mosquito all day long. The noise of the big machines wafts over the entire neighborhood. (Is this a hint of what we’ll experience for more than a year when the reconstruction of Verona Road begins?)
Those who drive Crescent Road are treated to a changing scene as Iverson & Sons shapes the new wet pond.
Ground-breaking for the pond took place on April 23. The ceremony was attended by about 2 dozen people including many from the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood and others who were involved in the planning of the pond. Fitchburg Mayor Pfaff was there as well as Fitchburg Alder Carol Poole who lives across the street from the project and Alder Dorothy Krause who lives at the top of Apache Drive. Those present heard about the history of Lots 19 and 20 and plans for the construction.
Since the 23rd, more trees have been cut down and taken away. The sanitary sewer was moved, and the storm sewer was rerouted. Now two ponding areas have been shaped although it looks like one with the pond full.
Check out the collage of the pond ground-breaking event and the second one showing construction progress. The pictures show not only construction changes, but the progression of the season from early spring with hardly a tinge of green in the trees to the luscious leafiness of early spring.
When finished, the land surrounding the pond will be seeded to native grasses and flowers, and a walkway will let nature-lovers circulate around the perimeter of the pond.
Interestingly, when I visited on June 2, a mallard was swimming in the new pond. Unfortunately, the water he was swimming in had a rainbow sheen of oil on its surface.
The purpose of this pond is to trap sediment and prevent it from getting into Dunn’s Marsh and the waterways downstream including Nine Springs Creek, Lake Waubesa, and beyond.
by Mary Mullen
Summer Fun Outside the Neighborhood
9 - Concerts at McKee Farms Park, Second Mondays (Attachment: “4 concerts@McKee.jpg”)
Like music? Like it even better free? Then your cup of tea is the “Concerts at McKee,” held each second Monday of the month at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Road, just off McKee Road (Co. Road PD), a couple of miles from our neighborhood. The concerts start at 6:30 pm.
The schedule is as follows:
· Monday, June 13, The Dang-Its (country honky-tonk to fiery bluegrass)
· Monday, July 11, Marcy and the Highlights (50s, 60s, R& B, jazz, country - good for dancing)
· Monday, August 8, Wild Heart (5 piece top 40 country band, 3- and 4-part harmonies)
For more information, look at the attachment or call 270-4290.
by Mary Mullen
10 - Come to Monona Terrace for Loads of Summer Fun (Attachment: “5 MononaTerr concerts.jpg”)
Monona Terrace announces the schedule of free and low cost community events available to the public this summer 2011 at the Frank Lloyd Wright designed facility.
The summer 2011 lineup (click links for dates) includes
· Concerts on the Rooftop, Thursdays, 7-9 pm (FREE) >, highlighting some the area’s best live music, and an opportunity for dancing, food, and fun for the whole family <http://mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/concerts_entertainment_events#concerts_on_the_rooftop <http://mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/concerts_entertainment_events#concerts_on_the_rooftop> >;
- June 9 Midnight Groove (Variety Dance Band)
- June 23 BROTHER (Celtic Fusion Rock)
- June 30 LoveMonkeys (Pop, Rock, Reggae) - MSCR Family Night
- July 14 Madison County (Country Show Band)
- July 21 SuperTuesday (Alternative Rock)
· T’ai Chi on the Rooftop for a peaceful stress break over the noon hour; Tuesdays & Thursdays. June 2–30; September 6-29. 12:00 – 12:45PM, Rooftop (FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) <http:// mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/health_wellness_programs#tai_chi_at_monona_terrace <http://%20Tuesdays%20&%20ThursdaysJune%202%E2%80%9330;%20September%206-29.%2012:00%20%E2%80%93%2012:45PM,%20Rooftop%0B(FREE%20AND%20OPEN%20TO%20THE%20PUBLIC)%20%20mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/health_wellness_programs#tai_chi_at_mo> >
· Lakeside Kids: a unique variety of hands on learning and entertainment for kids age four and up. Wednesdays 10-11 am. Please call 608.261.4000 after 8:30 a.m. the day of the event for program location. <http://mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/children_s_programs#lakeside_kids_ <http://mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/children_s_programs#lakeside_kids_> >
o June 15, The FUN Agenda Kick-off Even, 7 different activity stations in Exhibition Hall
o June 22, KG & The Range -Cowboy Songs, Yodeling & Rope Tricks, on the Rooftop
o June 29, Blue Willow Chinese Dance - Performance & Presentation - Exhibition Hall
o July 13, West African Drum & Dance Ensemble, on the Rooftop
o July 20, PianoFondue, Dueling Pianos, Community Terrace
o July 27, Casey & Greg, Songs & Stories, on the Rooftop
· Monona Terrace open house, Saturday, July 16, 1 pm (FREE TOUR, GOODIES,& GIVEAWAYS) offers the public a chance to tour one of Madison’s most iconic architectural works, and offers free treats and giveaways for the whole family!
<http://mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/family_events_festivals#monona_terrace_community_open_house <http://mononaterrace.com/community/all-programs/category/family_events_festivals#monona_terrace_community_open_house> >
· guided public tours are offered daily, $3 adults, $2 students. <http://mononaterrace.com/frank-lloyd-wrights/guided-tours <http://mononaterrace.com/frank-lloyd-wrights/guided-tours> >
· The Monona Terrace gift shop offers unique architecturally-inspired gifts for home and office and is open 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sunday. <http://mononaterrace.com/gift-shop <http://mononaterrace.com/gift-shop>
· The Lake Vista Café located on the Monona Terrace rooftop offers sweeping views of the Madison skyline and Lake Monona.
Come experience what Monona Terrace has to offer our community. It’s a place to gather, celebrate and learn!
Parking is available in the Monona Terrace parking ramp at One John Nolen Drive. For more information call 608.261.4000 or visit http://communityevents.mononaterrace.com <http://communityevents.mononaterrace.com> . Become a fan on Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-WI/Monona-Terrace-Community-and-Convention-Center/177810067314 > !
11 - Madison B-cycle Bike Sharing Locations Open
Madison B-Cycle is now underway. You’ve been hearing about it for months, and now you can actually rent bikes downtown with a swipe of your credit card.
Madison B-cycle is an urban bike sharing program put in by Trek under an agreement with the City of Madison. It’s the new way Madison moves! Enjoy access to over 300 bikes throughout the capital city this summer! As of Sunday May 22, 2011 six stations have been loaded with bikes and the remaining stations and bikes will go live over the next two months. A 2011 annual Madison membership comes out to be only 30 cents per day so sign up today!
$10 for 24-hour pass
$30 for 7-day pass
$65 for annual pass
Student discount of $20
Besides allowing down-towners to do short errands by bike, B-cycle could be a great way to have out-of town visitor do some biking downtown or to rent a bike for a day. Once you get a pass, the first 30 minutes of each trip is free. There’s a $2 charge for the second 30 minutes. Once you get beyond an hour, each additional 30 minutes costs $5. Fees are structured to encourage short trips with a return to a dock in between trips so that others have access to the bikes.
See http://madison.bcycle.com/ for an interactive map that shows location of B-stations and how many bikes are normally there. You can also view a demo that shows exactly how to use B-cycle. Pull down the “About” menu item for additional details of how to use B-cycle.
The 6 B-Cycle stations that are completed and stocked with bikes are at these locatioins:
1. Wisconsin & E. Mifflin- on the square by Merrill Lynch
2. S. Hamilton & W. Main- at Anchor Bank
3. W. Wilson & MLK- corner of the CCB
4. N. Park & Spring
5. End of N. Park @ Memorial Union
6. Hawthorne Ct. & State St. in the alley
On Friday, June 3, all the bikes were checked out of the one on lower State Street, #6, above, and I saw people riding around on the bikes. They all had headlights and tail lights that continued lighting even when the bikes were stopped.
by Mary Mullen, based on Bikies list-serve communications and the website
12 - Numbers at Your Fingertips for Crimes, Complaints, and Good Ideas (Attachment: “6 pics Fitchburg alders.jpg”)
Alert, active, and knowledgeable neighbors are what’s needed to keep crimes at bay and get things done.
Below are some numbers you might want to post on your refrigerator or next to you phone.
911 - For true emergencies,* absolutely call 911. (See list of emergencies at end of article.) Use your own judgment about calling 911 when there’s something like a fight between kids, a minor car accident, or a verbal argument. DON’T ASSUME SOMEONE ELSE CALLED. SOMETIMES NO ONE HAS.
For non-emergency police dispatch
in Madison, 243-0500 for the Madison West District police dispatch, during business hours only
in Fitchburg, 270-4300
CDA housing on Britta Parkway (litter, for example)
Elizabeth Robers-Yszenga at 267-9524 or erobers-yszenga@cityofmadison.com
Fitchburg Alders
Seat 1 - Dorothy Krause, 271-7532, 2105 Apache Drive, dorothy.krause@city.fitchburg.wi.usMadison Alder, Brian Solomon, 446-1362, briansolomon@charter.net
Seat 2 - Carol Poole, 273-3168, 4518 Crescent Road, carol.poole@city.fitchburg.wi.us
Neighborhood Associations
DMNA President Jeff Glazer, 277-1778, jglazer75@gmail.com
DMNA Communications - Mary Mullen, 298-0843, mmullen@chorus.net
ADMNA President Selena Pettigrew, 773-515-7916, admna55@gmail.com
ADMNA Vice President Sina Davis, 886-5994, sinadavis703@yahoo.com
*True emergencies:
· fires
· a bad accident
· an assault, and also when you feel endangered by another’s behavior or you think others will be endangered
· medical conditions that can’t wait for a doctor’s callback, such as chest pain, trouble breathing, coma, drug overdose, bleeding that won’t stop;
· if you see suspicious and possibly criminal activities in the process of happening such as people looking into cars or strangers taking things out of a neighbor’s house or garage
· when a street light is out after business hours (otherwise call Traffic Engineering at 266-4767.
Opportunities
13 - Literacy Program at B&G Club Needs Volunteers, Tuesdays
The Literacy Network has an adult ESL - English as a Second Language - program called Community Literacy at the Allied Neighborhood Boys & Girls club that we really need volunteer tutors for.
Community Literacy is designed to tutor adult ESL learners one-on-one in a classroom setting. Tutors help their assigned learner gain English speaking, reading, and writing skills. No experience or foreign language skills required!
Customized lesson plans are provided for each tutor/learner pair every week by the intern overseeing that class. (Childcare for both tutors and learners is also available.)
Successful tutors give their learners more than improved English skills -they offer the chance for them to gain confidence and improve their connection to the world around them.
Literacy Network requires all tutors to be reliable, responsible, mature, friendly, and patient. A semester-long commitment to the program is required: you must attend your class every week (no more than 3 absences) during the entire semester. Summer semester is in progress and ends August 27
We need 5 volunteer tutors for the following class: Tuesday nights, 6-8pm at the Allied Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club (4619 Jenewein Rd). Anyone interested can contact Ms. Shawn Steen, Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator via email Shawn@litnetwork.org <mailto:Shawn@litnetwork.org> or at (608) 244-3911.
by Shawn Steen. Literacy Network http://www.litnetwork.org <http://www.litnetwork.org>
14 - Volunteer Against Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) will be offering a summer volunteer training in June and is looking for dedicated and passionate individuals to join the DAIS team!
Volunteers are essential in providing services to our clients and are involved in every aspect of the work we do. Our volunteer program increases support services to victims by two-thirds of what staff alone can do.
DAIS works to empower those affected by domestic violence and advocate for social change through support, education and outreach. We have been in Dane County for over 33 years working to make our community a safer, more just, more equitable place for people who have experienced domestic violence, their children, and the people who love them.
DAIS Volunteer Opportunities:
· Crisis Line AdvocateIf you are interested in volunteering with DAIS or for more information please contact:
· Crisis Response Advocate
· Shelter Advocate
· Children’s Advocate
· Marketing and Media Advocate
· CAPE (Community Awareness and Prevention Education) Advocate
15 - Madison Offers Help to Homeowners for Green ImprovementsKira Young, Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
kiray@abuseintervention.org 251-1237
http://www.abuseintervention.org
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Green Madison, a City of Madison program for energy efficiency designed to help homeowners’ make smart energy efficiency improvements while keeping the costs of improvements affordable.
The residential portion of Green Madison launched in April 2011, with the commercial portion to follow in the next six – eight weeks.
The Green Madison program is for homeowners (owner-occupied; 1- 3 units) who are interested in making energy efficiency improvements to enhance the comfort of their home. The program benefits include energy advocates, low-interest unsecured financing through Summit Credit Union, and reduced price for a professional energy inspection by approved consultants. Green Madison participants are able to take advantage of Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy rebates. Additional information about Green Madison is available on the City’s website:
www.cityofmadison.com/greenmadison http://www.cityofmadison.com/greenmadison <http://www.cityofmadison.com/greenmadison>
I’ll be glad to answer questions from interested homeowners.
Paul Grimyser PGrimyser@cityofmadison.com
16 - Money Available for Landlords
Common Wealth Development has money available to help landlords wishing to reduce the lead hazards in their rental properties.
· Your tenants need to be low (80% of Dane County Median Income) or very low income (50% of Dane County Median Income).
· Your properties also need to be occupied or suitable for occupancy for families with young children for your property to qualify for the available money.
· For three years after you the work is completed, you will need to continue to rent to low or very low income tenants and market the apartments to households with children under the age of 6 years old.
If your property qualifies and you agree to participate, Common Wealth Development will schedule a Partial Lead Inspection-Risk Assessment. The Department of Health will review the Inspection-Risk Assessment to ensure the scope of work addresses all the lead hazards appropriately. Common Wealth Development staff will discuss with you any available options for how the work is done.
When the lead work order is approved and agreed upon, Common Wealth Development will request bids from certified lead abatement contractors and go with the lowest of the qualified bidders. You will be required to pay, in advance, 25% of the cost of the lead work.
Once the work is done a clearance test will be done to confirm that all lead hazard work was done properly and the property is lead safe for re-occupancy. The program will re-locate tenants while the work is done.
Landlords have used these funds to get new windows, cabinetry and siding. This is a great opportunity to treat lead hazards at a greatly reduced cost to you. Interested landlords should contact Diane Eddings at 256-3527 ext. 27.
17 - Downtown Senior Center Newsletter Available by e-Mail
Many, many activities are available free and for nominal fees for seniors at the downtown Madison Senior Center. Check out the latest issue of the Center’s newsletter, The Messenger
http://www.cityofmadison.com/seniorCenter/messenger.cfm
Here’s how to receive The Messenger by e-mail automatically. Register for your My City of Madison Account at: https://my.cityofmadison.com. Click on 'New User?' in the green box; then, on the word box 'Register.' Provide your information and click the box to 'Register.'
A confirmation will appear in your e-mail box asking you to finalize your registration. Click 'Back to My City of Madison Account' and 'Returning User.' Scroll down to the Senior Center; expand the list to reveal The Messenger. Put a check mark in the box and you will receive our newsletter by e-mail each month.
Explore and subscribe to other City e-mail lists (parks, cultural arts, public health, etc.) by checking other boxes on the My Account pages. E-Mail Sign-Up.
from City of Madison
From our Elected Representatives (Some interesting “stuff” here)
18 - Alder Solomon’s May 12 Update
Greetings District 10 Residents. I hope this finds you well as spring is finally on its way. Just a quick update on a few big things:
Parmans Take Two: The second Parman’s redevelopment proposal meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 12, from 6:30-8:30, at Edgewood’s Predolin Hall, Anderson Room. Hope to see you there!
Empire Take Two: There will also be a second meeting on the Empire Photo proposed redevelopment. This meeting will be at the Monroe St Library, Monday May 9, at 7:30. This meeting is being scheduled by Sue Ellingson, the new alder for District 13.
Randall School / Olive Jones Park: Pretty amazing work going on here. Check it out at randallschoolpark.org <http://www.randallschoolpark.org/ <http://www.randallschoolpark.org/> > . Make sure to make a donation and help keep this project going forward.
New Restaurants: We’ve got Brocach Irish Pub possibly coming to Monroe Street and La Guanajuatence coming to Midvale Plaza (Nakoma / Midvale / Hammersley intersection). Be sure to check them out soon.
5th Annual Bike Safety Rodeo: May 26, 6:30-7:30, Randall Elementary playground. Join Willy Bikes, Madison Police, and the Bike Fed. Contact Troy at troythiel@yahoo.com <mailto:troythiel@yahoo.com <mailto:troythiel@yahoo.com> > if you’d like to volunteer.
AIDS Ride: I’ve signed up again to participate in the Wisconsin AIDS Ride (ACT 9). Most of you remember I was one of the co-founders of this ride nine years ago. Its now raised over $3 million in the fight against AIDS. I’ve already started training for the 350 mile ride this August. I’ve committed to raising $2,000 so please make a donation and help me support AIDS Network. Support me at: <http://actride.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=437316&lis=1&kntae437316=CBFF449F2D15484CAA0F80CCED6B5AFD&supId=324449594 >
And finally, redistricting. That silly census always messes things up. In this case, it’s a biggie. We are still in the draft stage, so please weigh in and participate if you are interested. However, it is looking very likely that, effective this July, the southeast portions of Regent Neighborhood currently in District 10 will move into District 5 and that Dudgeon Monroe neighborhood will move into District 13. That means that Shiva Bidar Sielaff will represent all of Regent and Sue Ellingson will represent Dudgeon Monroe and, thereby, become my new alder. I will still represent District 10, but will no longer live in District 10. The new District 10 will include Nakoma, Dunns Marsh, Summit Woods, and Allied, as it currently does. It will also pick up Midvale Heights and Orchard Ridge. In April, 2013, I would have to run against Sue for District 13 or move to run for the District 10 seat (neither of which I am currently planning).
My biggest sadness is that state law does not allow these changes to go into effect at the next election. This would not help my issue, but it would at least allow me to continue to represent those people who elected me for the next two years! Not sure if we could try to get this law changed, but probably not in time for this redistricting plan. If you’d like to get involved, please check out the city redistricting website at http://www.cityofmadison.com/cityhall/redistricting/ <http://www.cityofmadison.com/cityhall/redistricting/> . (You can view the proposed maps here as well.) There are three upcoming meetings to discuss the plans. The dates and locations are posted at: http://www.cityofmadison.com/cityHall/redistricting/meetings.cfm.
This is very sad for me, as all of you can imagine. At the same time, I see how it is necessary given the population shifts in the city. Both of the “new” districts will be diverse and well balanced. There is a certain grace, I suppose, in recognizing that that is the most important thing for our beautiful district 10 neighborhoods.
Wishing you peace and wellness, as always.
Brian Solomon
Madison 10th Dist. Alder
19 - Representative Terese Berceau Gives Update on State Budget (June 8)
Editor’s Note: Democrat Terese Berceau is our area’s representative in the Wisconsin Assembly. This is lengthy but very informative - from someone whose job it is to know what’s happening in the legislature.
State Budget Update
As the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has concluded its work on the Governor's 2011-13 state budget proposal, I want to provide a short summary of some key provisions. The Assembly will consider the budget as soon as next week. It will then go to the Senate.
Here is a quick list of provisions in the current version of the budget, organized by issue area. It's a long list, but don't despair. At the end I've included a list of some budget victories already won!
Taxes & Borrowing
· Increases taxes on middle class families by nearly $69.8 millionOver the next 10 years, when fully implemented, these tax cuts will reduce revenue by over $1.3 billion, shifting even more of the tax burden onto working families and increasing property taxes
· Increases property taxes on seniors and working families by $13.6 million by reducing the Homestead Tax Credit, affecting 247,000 homeowners and renters
· Raises taxes on low-wage workers with children by $56.2 million as a result of cuts to the Earned Income Tax Credit
· Reopens corporate tax loopholes that will cost the state $93.8 million and will allow big multi-state corporations and wealthy investors to avoid paying taxes
· Borrows $1.8 billion to fund projects and uses questionable accounting gimmicks to delay debt payments, which will force the state to pay millions in additional interest
· Doesn't address the cost of the ten or so lawsuits that are likely to result from this budget
· Fails to account for lost tax revenue that will surely result from individuals and businesses altering their actions due to this devastating budget
Health Care
· Cuts $500 million from Medicaid programs like BadgerCare and Family CareK-12 Education
· Reverses cuts to the SeniorCare prescription drug program proposed by Governor Walker, but doesn't expand the program beyond 2012
· Caps enrollment in Family Care, making it much harder for seniors and people with disabilities to stay in their homes and live independent lives
· Cuts state funding for programs that provide immunizations and cancer screenings as well as services for those with autism, diabetes, and heart disease
· Strips $1 million per year in state funding for women's healthcare centers statewide by defunding Planed Parenthood
· Cuts funding for public schools by $1.6 billion statewide
· Nearly doubles the income limit for school voucher programs, which will allow wealthier families to receive state assistance to send their children to private and religious schools
· Reduces local school transportation assistance
· Eliminates funding for reading specialists, despite the literacy problems that many districts face
· Uses a cookie-cutter model for allocating school funding that will result in poorer school districts losing money while some wealthier districts will receive additional funding
· Eliminates funding for successful school programs such as advanced placement (AP) classes, alcohol and drug prevention programs, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math)
Transportation
· Raids segregated funds by cutting funding for road aids to local governments by $48 million yet providing over $400 million in additional funding for transportation projects in SE WisconsinLocal Government
· Reduces funding to local governments by $76.8 million, forcing local communities to cut services
· Chips away at collective bargaining rights of police officers and fire fighters and jeopardizes the safety of communities by eliminating maintenance of effort requirements
· Strips local elected leaders of flexibility to manage cuts
Higher Education
· Reduces state aid to the UW system by $250 million over the biennium
· Cuts funding for Technical Colleges by 30%, which will eliminate many of the job training programs that Wisconsin's workforce needs
· Eliminates the Wisconsin Covenant program, which provides financial aid to students who get good grades and pledge to stay in Wisconsin to attend college
Economic Development Programs
· Cuts funding by 42% for the Wisconsin Main Street program, which has helped to create over $1.1 billion in economic development activity across the state and add 17,900 new jobs
· Deletes funding for the Rural Economic Development program
· Ends important agricultural efforts like the Farm to School program, which help local farmers better market their products
Environment
· Eliminates the Green Space grant program, which helps local governments and tribes clean up brownfield sites, and cuts more than half of the funding for the Brownfield Site Assessment program, which helps clean up land contaminated by industrial wasteClean Government/Clean Elections
· Exempts industrial polluters from requirements to provide notification when they release wastewater with possible contaminants
· Raids millions from Wisconsin's renowned Stewardship Fund and shifts the money to other programs, making it more difficult to preserve our state's unique natural resources for future generations
· Eliminates public funding for Supreme Court races, which was meant to ensure judicial impartiality and the integrity and independence of Wisconsin's courts
· Eliminates the state income tax check-off, so no public financing will exist for any campaigns
· $1.8 million already contributed through the tax check-off option will now go toward implementation of the new voter ID law
· Cuts significant funding for the Government Accountability Board, which investigates election misconduct and state government ethics violations
Consumer Protection
· Reopens payday lending loopholes and reinstates predatory auto title lending in WisconsinSome even more shocking provisions of the budget that haven't escaped my notice would:
· Removes tenant protection in foreclosure cases, meaning tenants do not have to be notified if their rental property is in foreclosure
· Designate February 6th as Ronald W. Reagan Day (even though Ronald Reagan raised taxes 11 times while President!)
· Loosen Wisconsin's child labor laws significantly
· Create a sales tax exemption for junk mail (because who doesn't want to make it easier for junk mail to be sent to their house?)
- Under the current budget proposal, teenagers will have effectively no limit on the number of hours they can work during a given week; while teens will be prohibited from working during school hours, 17- and 18-year-olds will be employable upwards of forty hours each week! (Children under 16 years of age will be capped at 40 hours of work per week.) I fear this change will result in teens working more and more hours each week and earning lower and lower grades as a result.
· Reopen the "Las Vegas Loophole" in part, which will allow corporations to do business in Wisconsin while avoiding corporate taxes by claiming that they are based in another state, such as Nevada, without a corporate income tax. This will create an uneven playing field for "mom and pop" businesses here in Wisconsin that will now bear a disproportionate burden of the corporate income tax.
· Earmark $10,000 for a new Sheboygan space station ("Beam me up, Scotty!")
I am extremely concerned that the budget has a disproportionate negative impact on middle-class and lower-middle-class families in our state. This is particularly true given the cuts that have been proposed for the social safety net programs, upon which so many Wisconsin citizens are relying right now.
At the same time, I am pleased that some budget battles have already been won. Thanks to the collection of more than 14,000 petition signatures in opposition to Governor Walker's proposed cut to SeniorCare, JFC (Joint Finance Committee) recognized that preserving this popular, cost-effective program was a non-negotiable for Wisconsinites. It amended the budget to restore SeniorCare funding to earlier levels. Similarly, JFC responded to the unified outcry of local elected officials across Wisconsin, who opposed eliminating our state's recycling mandate. JFC amended the budget to provide funding for recycling statewide.
Budgets are moral documents. They lay bare our priorities and outline the vision and values we want for our communities. Walker’s budget fails that test on every level. Instead of showing leadership by bringing all Wisconsinites together to address the challenges we face, the governor is pitting different sectors of the state against each other in a disastrous race to the bottom.
There has been a lot of talk of shared sacrifice, but that’s all it is – talk. After all that pain to the middle class, to the working poor, to the elderly and disabled, to education, Walker’s budget still increases state spending compared to the last biennium by almost 6% or $1.6 billion! This is definitely not the Wisconsin way, and I cannot and will not support it.
SeniorCare
As mentioned above, Governor Walker's biennial budget included a provision to shift Wisconsin seniors off the cost-effective and cost-efficient SeniorCare program and on to more complicated more expensive Medicare Part D plans. In response, Assembly Democrats, led by Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Ft. Atkinson) circulated petitions to preserve SeniorCare as is. The short petition drive garnered over 14,000 signatures in support of protecting SeniorCare. Republican legislative leaders have acknowledged the outpouring of support for the program and the Joint Finance Committee eliminated that provision. I will keep a close eye on this program and do everything I can to ensure that SeniorCare funding remains in the final budget.
UW-Madison & 76th Assembly District
My office recently received some interesting facts and figures from the University of Wisconsin about its impact on our community and presence in the 76th Assembly District.
There are currently 1,427 UW-Madison students and 3,094 UW-Madison employees living in the 76th District. Statewide, UW-Madison supports over 97,000 jobs and is reported to have an economic impact of $9.6 billion, generating $474 million in annual tax revenue and $21.05 for every $1 of state support.
This information is particularly important in light of the drastic cuts to higher education being proposed by Governor Walker in his biennial budget which slashes $250 million from the UW-System and hikes tuition for UW students.
If You Want to be a Badger....
I authored a resolution along with Senator Fred Risser to honor the Wisconsin Women's hockey team on winning their fourth national championship since 2006. This season the Badgers won their third conference regular season title and fourth Western Collegiate Hockey Association tournament title en route to setting a program record for wins (37). They also set a new NCAA women's hockey attendance record this past season, drawing 10,668 fans to the Kohl Center in a win over Minnesota.
You can see the resolution history and read the text at the link below:
https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/sjr22
You can watch some of my comments in front of the Assembly at the link below: http://tinyclip.tv/311da4ed
You can watch Coach Mark Johnson's remarks to the full Assembly at the link below: http://tinyclip.tv/31169cb6
It is a privilege to work for you. Please don't hesitate to contact me to share your concerns or opinions on any issue before the state legislature:
State Representative Terese Berceau, 76th Assembly District
Phone: 608-266-3784
E-mail: Rep.Berceau@legis.wisconsin.gov
Mail: Room 127 West, State Capitol, P.O. Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
20 - State Representative Terese Berceau Speaks Out on the New Voter ID Law
Republicans recently passed the most restrictive voter ID bill in the nation, in order to erect new barriers to equal and open voting in Wisconsin. Governor Walker signed this bill into law on May 25th as 2011 Act 23.
Who would be affected?
Under the original bill, only identification issued by the state Department of Transportation, U.S. passports, and military IDs could be used for fulfilling the requirements to vote. The bill was amended in committee to expand the types of acceptable ID to include tribal IDs, naturalization certificates, and student IDs – if they have the student’s signature and date of birth (no current college IDs contain this information).
A few years ago, a study of Department of Transportation (DOT) records conducted by the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee found that minorities and the elderly lack drivers’ licenses at rates far higher than whites and younger people. Approximately 180,000 residents over the age of 65 have neither a drivers’ license nor a state-issued photo ID. Almost 80% of black males between the ages of 18 and 24 do not have drivers’ licenses. The figures were 55% for black males of any age and 50% for Hispanic women. Black women, Hispanic men, and Hispanic women between the ages of 18 and 24 had rates between 57% and 66%. A full 35% of Milwaukee County residents do not currently possess drivers’ licenses. They can’t afford or don’t need cars and thus don’t need to be licensed to drive.
In comparison, only 17% of white men and women of voting age lacked drivers’ licenses. While the Republican authors of the photo ID measure may not have intended to cause racial discrimination, it is patently obvious that the bill would have a dramatic disparate effect on minorities. Requiring photo ID at the polls would not prevent felons from voting illegally or keep people from double voting. It does nothing to ensure that there are enough properly trained poll workers. Instead, studies have shown that photo ID requirements suppress voter turnout, especially among minority and low-income populations.
During debate in the Assembly, it became quite clear that it will be impossible for homeless people to vote, even though the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled they have a constitutionally-protected right to do so. Even if the DOT were to issue an ID to someone without a permanent address, customers no longer take possession of IDs or drivers’ licenses at the DOT counter. ID and license cards are now produced out-of-state and mailed to customers. Obviously, they can’t be mailed to someone with no address. Act 23 also eliminated the provision in current law that allows a registered voter to corroborate for another person.
How much will Act 23 cost?
The non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau indicated Act 23 will cost around $7.5 million. The new law is expected to have an ongoing cost associated with it, given that a full 20% of Wisconsin residents do not currently have state-issued ID cards.
No Voter Fraud Here
For over six years, Republicans - led initially by the Justice Department under President George W. Bush and later by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen - have been working to produce evidence of massive voter fraud to rationalize the need for this restrictive voting impediment. The result of their exhaustive investigation has found little evidence of fraud.
According to the Brennan Center (at New York University School of Law), there were just seven substantiated cases of fraudulent voting in the 2004 election which represents a rate of 0.0002 percent in the state. In addition, none of the problems could have been resolved through the use of requiring a photo ID. Following the 2008 election, Attorney General Van Hollen’s election integrity taskforce charged 20 people with voter fraud out of roughly 3 million votes cast.
A better way to get serious about election integrity, I believe, would be moving to crackdown on voter intimidation and suppression efforts. We’ve witnessed repeated instances of eligible voters being harassed, bullied, and intimated into not exercising their voting rights.
Efforts to disenfranchise eligible voters are rooted in some of the ugliest chapters of American history and these malicious actions should not be protected or tolerated in Wisconsin.
Electronic Voter Registration
In light of recent changes in Wisconsin's voter registration and voter identification laws - changes that I fear may weaken voter participation - I have circulated for cosponsorship legislation that would enable Wisconsin to join the ranks of other states that have successfully implemented online voter registration. This would cut costs, improve efficiency and reduce the administrative burden on election clerks.
A qualified elector who has a current and valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the Department of Transportation could register to vote via computer on a secure Internet site maintained by the Government Accountability Board (GAB). The bill represents exhaustive and careful work with GAB to assure the safety and efficiency of this program. The result will include savings for municipalities thanks to reductions in manual data entry, and will also result in more timely and accurate registrations.
To ensure an accurate and secure system, the bill contains these restrictions:
• Only those with a driver’s license or state identification card can use this online system.
• The bill requires instant verification of information submitted before the application is completed.
• Online registration closes when open registration closes,20 days before the election.
Arizona and Washington pioneered the effort to move toward electronic registration and have had success with the new system. Both states have a Republican Secretary of State. Kansas, Oregon, Colorado, Louisiana, Utah, Indiana, and Nevada all have working systems while North Carolina and California are in the process of developing one. Below is a link to a Pew Center study that reviews the online voter registration systems in Arizona and Washington:
http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/report_detail.aspx?id=58215
States that have online registration handle “Help America Vote Acts (HAVA)” checks automatically as a part of the process. No additional effort is required by the voter or the clerk, helping reduce potential conflicts and improve the accuracy of our eligible voters list.
21 - Senator Kohl Introduces Justice for Troops Act
After the Civil War, communities across America first started observing a day of remembrance to honor their fallen heroes. The first national proclamation for a “Decoration Day” was made in 1868 by General John Logan, but initially was only observed in Northern states. Over time, the wounds of the Civil War healed, and today, Memorial Day has come to honor all Americans who’ve died in service to our country.
No one knows the price of freedom better than America’s service members. When our troops are serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, or elsewhere around the globe, the last thing they need to be worried about are problems at home with foreclosure, child custody, or other legal matters.
That’s why Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and I are introducing the Justice for Troops Act, which connects service members with attorneys who volunteer to represent them free of charge. Many attorneys want to volunteer their time to help the troops, but we need a way to connect supply to demand.
Our bill allows the Defense Department to support programs that link volunteer attorneys to service members. There are several existing efforts that our bill could expand, including a military law clinic in our own state at Marquette Law School.
Alongside our troops, military spouses and children also make great sacrifices. Last month, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched the Joining Forces Initiative, which assists military families with common challenges like finding new jobs when a spouse is transferred and enrolling children at new schools.
This initiative assists with finding health services, transferring academic records, and working with companies to ensure that military spouses can transfer their jobs to new communities. You can find out more about these and other efforts at www.joiningforces.gov.
This Memorial Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the brave Americans who paid for our freedom with their lives, as well as the equally brave Americans who continue to defend us at home and abroad every day.
Message from Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Herb Kohl
22 - From Co. Exec. Joe Parisi.: Working With You to Keep Dane County Great
Growing up in Middleton, I always knew that Dane County was a special place. Our community has given me so much, and has inspired me to give back. I am honored to serve you as your new Dane County Executive.
Our home has changed a great deal from when I was younger. Dane County’s population is now 490,000 people and is the fastest growing county in Wisconsin.
While determining how to grow at the same time we protect our farms and lakes will continue to be a challenge, we now face new hurdles - - including how the state budget will impact our quality of life for years to come.
As Dane County Executive, I will meet these challenges head on – by working with you to find solutions, and without sacrificing everything that makes our community great.
My first priority will be finding a way to balance the county budget in the face of deep cuts from the state. Hours after I was officially sworn in, I met with my budget team to begin addressing the changes that may come from the Governor’s budget proposal.
We do not yet know the final impact of the state budget, but we know that it could greatly affect human services, more than half of the county’s annual budget.
Prioritizing economic development is also key. I’ve been meeting with some of our county’s economic development leaders, including representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and THRIVE, to make good on the creation of my new Dane County Office of Economic Development.
And I’m committed to making Dane County a clean energy jobs leader. As the price of gasoline climbs, we must re-double our efforts on creating jobs pursuing innovative, cost-effective sources of alternative energy.
I’m looking forward to working with you to achieve these goals.
by Dane County Executive Joe Parisi (266-4114)
23 - Correction about Redistricting - from Co. Sup. Carousel Bayrd
Thanks for sending this [redistricting information] out Mary. Just a correction, under the proposal, I will NOT represent the Madison portion of DMNA. It has been wonderful working with DMNA, and we'll see what happens. I very much would like to continue representing this area, but I don't think that is very likely to happen.
I'm still [County Supervisory] District 8. The Madison portion of DMNA would be represented by District 27, who is currently Kyle Richmond. BUT-- county redistricting does not go into effect until our next election, so I will still represent you until April 2012.
Co. Sup. Carousel Bayrd
------ End of the June 10, 2011 DUNN’S MARSH NEIGHBORHOOD e-NEWS -------
Thanks for reading!
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