August 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. Our neighborhood is in Madison & Fitchburg.
President, Bob Hague, bphague@tds.net 218-1760
News contact, Mary Mullen, mmullen@chorus.net <mailto:mmullen@chorus.net> 298-0843
Website: http://www.dunnsmarsh.org <http://www.dunnsmarsh.org> (temporarily out of order)
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/note.php?note_id=378988848623 <http://facebook.com/note.php?note_id=378988848623>
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Monday, August 15, is the last chance to comment on the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Verona Road project. Check out articles 5 & 6 plus the second attachment for help in doing this. It’s really easy. Otherwise, enjoy learning about a variety of topics in this issue of the DMN e-News.
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ARTICLES
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
1 - DMNA Picnic in Marlborough Garners Gratitude (Attachment:“ 1 pics picnics.jpg”)
2 - ADMNA’s Festival Attracts Hundreds (Attachment: “1 pics picnics.jpg”)
3 - A Voice From the Past Gets in Touch Again
4 - Next DMNA Council Meeting, Sept. 7
VERONA ROAD
5 - Verona Road FEIS: Comment by Mon., August 15 (Attachment: “2 FEIS comments.doc”)
6 - DMNA Comments on the FEIS in a Nutshell (Attachment: “2 FEIS comments.doc”)
FOR FUN
7 - For the Runners Among Us
8 - MadCity Chickens 2011 Coop Tour September 10
FROM OUR REPS
9 - District 10 Update from Brian Solomon (7-30-11)
10 - Fitchburg Alder Reports on Plans for Sidewalks and Multi-Use Paths
11 - Rep. Terese Berceau’s e-News Sampler from 8-10-11 (Attachment: “3 Berceau e-News.doc”)
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ARTICLES
IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
1 - DMNA Picnic in Marlborough Garners Gratitude (Attachment: “1 pics picnics.jpg”)
“We just wanted to say thanks for the great picnic! It was our first community gathering, and what a great introduction.”
“Thanks for the watermelon (and be sure to tell the 'watermelon lady' Patti that Katya sends best wishes).”
These were the kind words of an e-mail received from the Kraus family of Sheffield Road. They were referring to the annual picnic in Marlborough Park that was sponsored by the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association.
The picnic was a mellow event on Friday, August 5, that attracted about 50 people at its height. Folks sat in small conversational groupings on lawn chairs, lounged on blankets, walked about from group to group or from food to group, or spent time on the playground or volleyball court. The kids really enjoyed the swings, and half a dozen older kids, not with parents, shyly took watermelon that was provided free to everyone.
The grills served to make hot dogs, brats, and delicious roasted corn. The weather cooperated nicely. It was neither too hot nor too cold. There were no mosquitoes.
It was the volleyball game that was the biggest surprise. The Barnard family, with roots in Argentina, brought their volleyball and their grandmother who was visiting from that country. She has played organized volleyball since a teen and was probably the most skilled player there. The game kept a dozen people jumping until dusk.
We English speakers all brushed up on our Spanish as she kept score in Spanish and visited afterward.
Thanks to all those in the neighborhood who got the flyers out, set up the tables and grills, prepared the kabobs and watermelon, and especially all of you who attended.
by Mary Mullen
2 - ADMNA’s Festival Attracts Hundreds (Attachment: “1 pics picnics.jpg”)
“Sina, Sina!” That was the name that was heard over and over during the Allied Dunn’s Marsh annual festival held in Belmar Park on Saturday July 30.
Sina Davis, ADMNA Vice President, was one of the most active organizers of the event. She had started work at 7 a.m. for the event that began at noon.
This neighborhood festival included a couple of big jumping “houses,” a small stage, some informational tables, raffle of a bicycle, and best of all, free food: hot dogs, brats, fruit, green salads, ice cream, and bottled water. The weather was hot and sunny, a nice change from a storm that had cut a festival short another year.
This reporter didn’t arrive until around 4 p.m., but there were still about 200 people or more enjoying the shade of the trees and a large sunshade tent that had been brought by Fitchburg Alder Dorothy Krause. Madison 10th District Alder Brian Solomon was also present much of the day.
Clean-up started well before the 5 pm end time, and people streamed mostly back toward Allied Drive after the raffle was decided. It’s probably fair to say that, “A good time was had by all.”
by Mary Mullen
3 - A Voice From the Past Gets in Touch Again
Dick Ginnold, County Supervisor for the Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood back in the 1970s, recently sent me an e-mail which I’ve printed below. Dick was instrumental in sparking the birth of the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association.
Back when he was running for County Board, he suggested that we form a “home-owners” association and support him for County Board. We took the hint about forming an organization, but we opened our DMNA to all residents in the neighborhood, renters and homeowners alike whether they lived in single family homes or large apartment complexes. And we also determined that it was important to be independent of candidates: the DMNA as an organization is not allowed to support or oppose candidates.
I found out a lot about Dick Ginnold that I did not know in the 1970s when I went to his website. I knew that he worked at the UW School for Workers when he lived here, but I didn’t know of his association with the US State Department or his long sojourns south of the border.
Here’s his e-mail.
Mary, I have been retired for some years and live a simple life down in southeastern Mexico. After I left Madison in l979 I did many things but certainly have fond memories of the work I did there. This includes getting introduced to marshes by you and receiving your good support during my 2 terms on the County Board. My wife Julie has family that lives in Madison and I realize that the place has grown and developed greatly. I think we must have been on the front end of the urbanization of Dane County and more responsiveness from the County Government. I hope you are doing OK and are having a good impact though your association.
We only get to the US once or twice a year, mostly to see moms but my next time there, I will drop by Dunns Marsh*if I can find it, and would like to touch base with you then. I have been writing up my life and have a website at www.dickginnold.com <http://www.dickginnold.com <http://www.dickginnold.com> > where I have already written some material on my time at the School for Workers and am finishing a short piece on my 4 years as 20th Dist. Cty. Supervisor.
I wish you folks well. If you want to contact me my email is dickginnold@gmail.com.
4 - Next DMNA Council Meeting, Sept. 7
Any resident may attend the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association Council meetings. They are held on the first Wednesday of each month.
The next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 7, 7 p.m. at Prairie UU Society, 2010 Whenona Drive.
Please contact DMNA President Bob Hague if you plan to attend and have something special you want to bring up to the Council. Only Council members can vote, but residents generally are allowed to speak.
VERONA ROAD
5 - Verona Road FEIS: Comment by Mon., August 15 (Attachment: “2 draft FEIS comments.doc”)
Now is the time that separates the sheep from the goats. People in our neighborhood went all out to comment on the Verona Road construction project’s Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement last fall and winter. But do we have the stamina to send in a few more words on the Final Environmental Impact Statement? They are due this coming Monday, August 15.
The article below is a quick look at what the DMNA Council supports. Click on the attachment to see the full statement that has been prepared by the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association. The Verona Road project will change the face of the neighborhood. Feel free to study it and then pick and choose the points you want to emphasize in your communication to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. We can’t make it any easier than that!
Comments by e-mail should be sent to Larry Barta at Larry.Barta@dot.wi.gov <mailto:Larry.Barta@dot.wi.gov>
Hand-written or typed hardcopy comments should be directed to
Joe Olson, Regional Director, WisDOT, SW Region
2101 Wright Street
Madison, WI 53704-2583
by Mary Mullen
6 - DMNA Comments on the FEIS in a Nutshell (Attachment: “2 FEIS comments.doc”)
Here’s a quick digest of the points made in the statement to be filed with the WisDOT by the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association.
What we support in the Final Environmental Impact Statement:
1. The Ped/Bike underpass (tunnel) below Verona Road at Beltline.
2. The alternate location of detention pond by CUB (instead of near Dunn’s Marsh)
3. The roundabout under Verona Road in replacement of the original jug handle plan that would have had the frontage road surrounding the Walgreen’s store and negatively impacting Avalon Village.
4. Bike lanes on Midvale and on Hammersley.
5. A noise wall in southeast quadrant extended to Niemann Place
6. Keeping the Frontage Road along the Beltline in option B, rather than dipping down into the neighborhood. The DMNA Council also discussed our opposition to moving the ped/bike access of the Beltline ped/bike bridge. The access is now from Whenona. The FEIS shows it close to Niemann Place. (Due to an oversight, that opposition didn’t get into our official statement.)
7. An earthen berm between Beltline Frontage Road and the neighborhood.
8. Adding public art to open areas. The DMNA and the neighborhood would like to have input with the art.
These are our additional requests:
1. Grade-separated crossings of PD for the Badger State Trail and Cannonball Trail. We want this to be done as a first step of Stage 1 since traffic on PD will increase as soon as construction begins near the Beltline.
2. Absolute assurance that the sound wall and earthen berms in southeast quadrant will be built at the time of reconstruction and before any other construction at the intersection.
3. Construct additional temporary noise walls and/or berms all along the construction corridors to mitigate the sound of construction and protect the entire southeast quadrant from 3 years of construction noise and light pollution. Do this before other construction begins.
4. Even though full height noise walls aren’t considered economically feasible along most of our neighborhood boundaries, we request sound mitigation design such as the “51-inch concrete barrier on the Beltline between Verona Road and Whitney Way to reduce tire whine.”
5. Monitoring air, water, and noise continuously before, during, and after construction, and reporting to the neighborhood.
6. The FEIS, like the SDEIS, still does not adequately address the issues of air and noise pollution that will impact the neighborhoods affected by this project.
7. No all-night construction. We request an end to construction at 10:00 p.m. If, under special circumstances, this 10:00 pm. time cannot be honored, give a 7-day advance notice to the residents near the construction sites.
8. Traffic on Seminole Highway is bound to increase greatly during construction. We request that WisDOT, Fitchburg, and Madison work with the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association to limit the impact on motorists and bicyclists who need to exit our neighborhood from streets and driveways on Seminole Highway.
10. In Stage 3, we support having the SW commuter bike trail cross over the depressed Verona Road on its own bridge rather than directing bicycles and pedestrians up to Raymond Road.
11. We continue to think it is essential that an actual traffic origin/destination survey of both truck and car traffic be done, not just traffic counts. This is the only method that will tell residents and traffic engineers how effective a South Reliever could be.
12. Incorporate into the plan ways/facilities to promote local and regional mass transportation - park & ride lots, bus accommodations, and light rail facilities.
by Mary Mullen
FOR FUN
7 - For the Runners Among Us
One of the men attending the DMNA picnic has run 14 marathons, and his wife is a regular run/walker. She suggests that it would be fun for neighborhood people to try to do a 5K or 10K together.
Besides that, she suggests the perfect name for a team from the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood: the Dunn’s Martians.
Any takers? Let the editor know and she’ll pass it on. Maybe we’ll get something like that going.
by Mary Mullen
8 - MadCity Chickens 2011 Coop Tour September 10
MadCity Chickens 2011 Coop Tour, Sept 10, 2011, from 9 am - 1 pm, Free!
Visit several of Madison's backyard chicken coops and talk to the chicken owners. End your self-guided tour at the Dane County Humane Society on Voges Rd. at 2 pm for a free screening of "Mad City Chickens, The Movie", by Tarazod films. Raffle prizes.
Call 608-695-7914 or e-mail smilingchicken44@yahoo.com for additional information.
Coop locations listed at Google Maps link available at MadCityChickens.com or call or e-mail for a list of locations.
FROM OUR REPS
9 - District 10 Update from Brian Solomon (7-30-11)
Greetings District 10. My very deep apologies for not getting this update out to you sooner. I’ve been out of town a great deal this summer, very busy with my day job, and preparing for ACT 9, a 300+ mile bike ride I’m doing this coming week to raise money for HIV/AIDS.
I do hope this finds you well and that you are enjoying this warm but beautiful summer. Best, Brian
Redistricting. As it stands, our redistricting plan is set to go into effect later this summer. At this time, presumably, I’d no longer be alder for Dudgeon Monroe or the D10 portion of Regent, but would still be alder for Nakoma, Summit Woods, Dunns Marsh and Allied. I’d also pick up Orchard Ridge and Midvale Heights, two neighborhoods who never had a chance to vote for or against me. Because of this, I authored an amendment that would instead make redistricting effective upon the next aldermanic election, which is in April 2013. That amendment failed 18-1 (guess who was the one?). I’m probably going to try again because I believe that changing districts in the middle of an election cycle is akin to disenfranchising voters. My colleagues disagree and have some good reasons, but I do not believe any of them stack up to having a chance to vote for who represents you. Either way, come April 2013, I will no longer live in District 10 and will have to either step aside, move, or run for District 13 alder. And you thought the state redistricting plan had a monopoly on excitement! Stay tuned…
Budget and Community Conversations. You all know this is going to be the most difficult budget year in decades. Revenue is down and the new state budget hammers communities like Madison. Mayor Soglin is being very aggressive and I believe very reasonable in looking under every stone and trying to zero in on a budget that protects vital services and holds the line on taxes. I’m very supportive of his efforts thus far, but there is still a long way to go. I’m most proud of his efforts to engage the community. Many District 10 residents were at the first community budget discussion last week, on community services. I hope just as many (or more) will show up for the remaining conversations. Remaining meetings:
- Tuesday, August 16: 7-9, Infrastructure, Senior Center, 330 W Mifflin
- Monday, August 22: 7-9, Facilities and Parks, Orchard Ridge UCC, 1501 Gilbert
- Wednesday, August 31, 7-9, Public Safety, Warner Park Rec Center, 1625 Northport
Check here for more information: http://www.cityofmadison.com/budgetProcess/documents/SaveTheDate.pdf <http://www.cityofmadison.com/budgetProcess/documents/SaveTheDate.pdf> ..
Monroe Street Farmer’s Market. It started this summer by Seed by Seed Farms. Edgewood Campus on Wednesday evenings. Check out their website and start buying organic local produce right in our neighborhood! http://www.seedbyseed.com/ <http://www.seedbyseed.com/> .
Allied Drive Update / Donation Request. We had an amazing Allied festival today and hundreds showed up to play, eat, sing, and chill. I was there all day and it was a wonderful event as always. And, as always, the Allied Dunns Marsh Neighborhood Association (ADMNA) greatly appreciates any support they can get to help cover event costs. The ADMNA continues to work closely with residents, service providers, and others to help improve the lives of their neighbors, many of whom continue to need financial assistance, affordable housing, job training, and more. In addition to the festival, ADMNA is involved or leading initiatives such as the Allied Community Theatre (ACT), a monthly community meal, Girls Empowered by Motivated Sisters (GEMS), mobile food pantries, Mothers in the Neighborhood, and more. Please contact Selena Pettigrew (selenapettigrew@Gmail.com) or Barry Hayes (barryusus@yahoo.com) to make a donation.
Final Verona Road Impact Statement (FEIS) Comments are due August 15. As you all know, this project will add lanes to Verona Road and the Beltline, change access points, and make many street pattern modifications. Comments on the FEIS are due August 15. Only written or e-mail statements will be accepted. There will be no public hearings. Please send E-mail responses to Larry Barta at Larry.Barta@dot.wi.gov. The FEIS is available at most local libraries and at: http://www.dot.wi.gov/projects/d1/verona/environment.htm <http://www.dot.wi.gov/projects/d1/verona/environment.htm> . [Editor’s note: You can also see the DMNA copies of the FEIS by contacting Mary Mullen at 298-0843 or Kim Zinski at 271-2436]. Thanks again to the Verona Road Justice Coalition, Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood [Association], and ADMNA for their involvement in this issue and the many positive changes that are included due to their advocacy.
Development Updates.
- Allied Phase II: Still in the planning stages. Given the housing market, a bit of a slowdown here is not opposed by anyone.
- Parmans: Working through city committee process but development team also continues to hear comments and ideas from neighbors.
- HotelRed: Good progress and new management team is hoping to open sometime this August.
- Edgewood VTAC: They have been making good progress given the weather. Latest update: http://www.edgewood.edu/aboutEC/pdf/July2011.pdf <http://www.edgewood.edu/aboutEC/pdf/July2011.pdf> .
Bike Sharing. Most of you know by now that Monroe Street and our area is a key part of the new b-cycle program. I’m proud to have supported this program and really hope it continues to grow. To learn more and see a map of stations (including ones by the stadium, by Trader Joes, and by Vilas), check out: http://madison.bcycle.com/ <http://madison.bcycle.com/> .
from Madison 10th District Alder Brian Solomon
10 - Fitchburg Alder Reports on Plans for Sidewalks and Multi-Use Paths
Last night (July 27) Fitchburg Common Council completed work on the 2012-2016 CIP (Capital Improvement Program).
Sadly, the Council voted 5-3 to delete the multi-use ("bike") path 0.3 mi along S Fish Hatchery Rd between Whalen Rd and the rest of the network at Shamrock Ln, scheduled for 2015. Too bad for Country Heights and Country Vineyard residents and Fitchburg cyclists who access Verona via Whalen! This deletion also makes it much less likely that Dane County will provide a multi-use path along S Fish Hatchery Rd from Whalen Rd to the Town of Oregon when they rebuild their portion in 2015.
A move to delete paved shoulders on specific uphill road segments listed in the Bike and Ped plan was withdrawn. Thanks to Ald Becky Baumbach who also spoke against deleting these important safety projects.
I introduced an amendment to build 0.2 mi of sidewalk in 2012 along Lacy Rd east of Richardson Street to complete our pedestrian network around the new Fitchburg Public Library. I was disappointed that no other alders supported this project.
The Council voted 6-2 to take sidewalks along Lacy Rd east of the library off the table for the 2016 reconstruction project. I argued that all potential facilities should be available for discussion when
the project is publicly planned in 2015.
The Council reconsiders the CIP each summer for the following five years, and I hope that those who favor balanced investment in facilities for biking, walking, motorists, and transit will make their preferences known to their Common Council representatives.
Regards,
Steve Arnold, Fitchburg Alder, District 4, Seat 7
11 - Rep. Terese Berceau’s e-News Sampler from 8-10-11 (Attachment: “3 Berceau e-News.doc”)
[Editor’s note: This is selected portions of Rep. Berceau’s much longer e-newsletter. The entire newsletter is in the attachment.]
Shifting Power to the Governor: Theme and Variations
A concerning theme during this 2011-12 legislative session has been new and increasing power concentration granted to this governor's executive branch by the legislature. It started with the earliest legislation passed in January and continued through the troublesome biennial budget signed into law at the end of June.
These shifts of power are worrisome not because I disagree with our current governor politically (although you know that I disagree with him on nearly every issue that has come up). Rather, these are troubling because they result in less legislative oversight of state agencies, diminished accountability to the people of Wisconsin, and an increasing number of decisions that can be made by political appointees. These new appointees do not necessarily even understand the programs they are changing, much less the impact the changes will have on Wisconsinites, and are simply following the governor's ideological agenda. [A chart showing how the power has shifted is in the complete attachment.]
Wisconsin Puppy Mill Legislation
Over the last several days, Wisconsin puppy mills have been a focus for newspapers and other media outlets throughout Wisconsin. This is largely due to a piece of legislation introduced by Representative Don Pridemore (R-Hartford). Unfortunately, Rep. Pridemore's puppy mill bill would actually weaken current law regulating puppy mills. This issue is generating much interest.
I am the proud owner of a rescue dog and I am very concerned about the mistreatment of animals by anyone, especially those who do so for profit. The fact that puppy mills ever existed in Wisconsin is alarming to me. To that end, each time a bill was introduced to ensure the health of puppies through the licensing and regulation of puppy mills, I was on board. Then, during the last legislative session, we finally succeeded in requiring breeders to be licensed and regulated.
I strongly believe that Rep. Pridemore's bill, which would subject fewer breeders to licensing and inspection and which would reduce the number of puppy mill inspectors, is a step in the wrong direction. It took years of hard work to develop Wisconsin's strong new law that just went into effect this June 1st. Licensing fees will cover the expense of the inspections, so the full cost of regulation falls on the breeding industry and not on general taxpayers. True, the process was quite contentious at times, but the final result had widespread support. In fact, it was approved unanimously in both the Assembly and Senate, meaning that Rep. Pridemore voted in favor of the very law he is now trying to change.
That being the case, however, some of my constituents have raised specific concerns about the application of Wisconsin's new law to animal rescue organizations. To that end, I will be looking at our current law as it applies to animal rescue and animal fostering organizations. I always strive to be responsive to my constituents' opinions and I will do so regarding this legislation.
At the end of the day, I firmly believe we need to have oversight of those who breed and sell animals. We must ensure that animals are treated humanely, that public health is protected, and that people who buy pets receive healthy, properly-socialized companion animals. As other states increased regulation of breeding operations, our previously lax laws made Wisconsin a magnet for unscrupulous pet dealers and breeders. One newspaper editorial described our state as "the Wild West for dog breeders, attracting many irresponsible operators." Our laws should protect innocent animals and reputable breeders, not shield irresponsible operators who profit off of the suffering of dogs and puppies.
You can be assured that I will not support Rep. Pridemore's grossly misguided legislation.
September 2nd is Teal Day
As you may know, September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. You might be surprised at some statistics relating to ovarian cancer. In 2010, an estimated 21,000 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Of those, 15,000 died of disease. Because no ovarian cancer screening test exists, talking to a doctor about symptoms of possible ovarian cancer is the only chance women have to treat this disease.
Diagnosing ovarian cancer early is absolutely essential. If ovarian cancer is treated before it has spread outside the ovary, the five-year survival rate is 93%! Currently, though, only 19% of ovarian cancers are caught at this early stage.
Four major symptoms of ovarian cancer are:
bloating
pelvic or abdominal pain
difficulty eating, or feeling full too quickly
frequent or urgent need to urinate
These symptoms can be associated with other medical conditions, of course. But if you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms like these, schedule a visit with a physician. It may be frightening to do so. The possibility of being diagnosed with cancer is a scary thought. But, particularly with ovarian cancer, it's better to be safe than sorry. The earlier the diagnosis, the better your chances are to beat it.
For more information about ovarian cancer and about the United States of Teal campaign, please visit www.unitedstatesofteal.org or www.ovariancancer.org <http://www.ovariancancer.org> .
Newly-Formatted Website
Last but not least, my legislative website has a new format! The web address is still the same, so please check it out at www.terese.org. I will be updating the website on a regular basis!
As always, 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:
Phone: 608-266-3784 E-mail: Rep.Berceau@legis.wisconsin.gov
Mail: Room 127 West, State Capitol, P.O. Box 8952, Madison, WI 53708
---- END of the August 10, 2010 Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News ----
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