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Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News
August 26, 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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Two major things: (1) Job openings with U-Haul which will be moving into the CUB building soon.
(2) No calendar. Just check out the dates in the headlines. They are in larger italic type to help you see.
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Article list 8-26 11
OPPORTUNITIES
1 - Free B-cycle Memberships This Weekend
2 - Check Out Madison B-cycle Use
3 - U-Haul Now Hiring for Store at Old Cub Location
4 - Hints for Finding and Filling Out U-Haul Application
5 - Speak Out on Madison Public Safety Budget Priorities, August 31
6 - Next DMNA Council Meeting, Sept. 7
7 -Doggy Do Bag Stations Established in Marlborough Park
8 - A Visit to the New Fitchburg Library (Attachment: “1 col Fitchburg library.jpg”)
9 - Madison Offers “My Account” to Keep You Informed
10 - Already Have “My Account” with the City? Then Sign Up for “Opt-Out” to Prevent Disclosures
APACHE POND
11 - Trail Around Apache Pond Is a Big Attraction
12 - Apache Pond Volunteer Planting Party – Sat., Sept. 17, 9 am to Noon
13 - Grand Opening Celebration for Apache Pond, Noon, Sat., Sept. 17
LICENSES
14 - Cats, Dogs, Bikes, and Basketball Hoops Need Licenses in Fitchburg
15 - Animal and Bike Licenses Required by City of Madison
FROM OUR ALDERS
16 - Alder Poole Responds to Alder Arnold’s Bike/Ped Opinion
(Attachment: “2 Fitchburg 2011alder dist.jpg”)
17 - Fitchburg Alder Dorothy Krause Shares Her Thoughts
18 - Hacker’s Corner: Bike Lanes on Frontage Roads Still in the Pipeline
(Attachment: “3 bike lane e-mails.doc”)
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OPPORTUNITIES
1 - Free B-cycle Memberships This Weekend
If you are curious about B Cycle - even just to see how the system works, so you can explain it to friends, family, or visitors - here's a chance to try it for free.
The Madison B-cycle bike sharing program will be offering free 24-hour memberships August 26th through 28th in an effort to give more people the opportunity to try out the revolutionary urban transportation program. Users who take advantage of the offer will only have to cover usage fees for trips lasting longer than half an hour. To take advantage of the free 24-hour pass, users simply need to register at any B-cycle station or online at www.madison.bcycle.com <http://www.madison.bcycle.com>
Madison visitors and residents alike can check out bikes at B-stations located throughout downtown, and return the bike at the end of their trip to any B-station in the city. Designed for short trips in urban areas, B-cycle provides on-demand transportation for Madisonians on-the-go. It’s an eco-friendly, healthy alternative to automotive transportation, and best of all, B-cycles are there whenever you need them.
Launched in the Summer of 2011, Madison B-cycle is the new way Madison moves. By the end of 2011, 35 B-cycle stations holding 350 bikes will be located throughout the downtown and university campus areas of Madison. Members of the Madison B-cycle team will be available at the August 27th Farmer’s Market to answer any questions a potential B-cycle user might have.
from Eric Bjorling, Trek Bikes
2 - Check Out Madison B-cycle Use
Madison B-Cycle started up a few months ago with a few rental bike stations and a small number of bikes. It’s grown. But is it being used?
Yes it is, but there’s more room for growth.
A neat (cool, awesome) way to check this out is to go to the website that tracks usage nearly real time, updated every 2 to 20 minutes. That website is http://bikes.oobrien.com/?city=madison <http://bikes.oobrien.com/?city=madison> It shows a map of the city with dots for all the docks. The dots are colored blue through red to show how full or empty the racks are.
A chart at the bottom tells how many empty spaces there are and how many bikes are parked in the docks. It also tells the percentage of empty spaces and bikes in docks.
Now in Madison we have 333 spaces in the docks. When I first looked at the map when I began this article, bikes were in 213 of them (63.4%). There were 122 empty spaces (36.6%). Looking after I finished this article, the statistics changed to bikes in 198 (59.5%) of the spaces and 135 (40.5%) empty spaces. I presume that means that about 40% of the bikes are in use right now. My last check was at 9:43 a.m.
To find out exactly where each bike station is and to check how many bikes are available and how many empty spaces there are to park a rented bike, just click on the circles that represent the stations. When you do, the address is given, statistics for that address pop up, and you can also see a graph for the past 24 hours
An even more interesting feature of the B-cycle website is that you can check B-cycle use in cities all over the United States and the world: Minneapolis, Boulder, Denver, Washington, DC, and Boston among others in the US; Montreal, London, Rome, Barcelona, Tel Aviv, and many more outside the US.
Another neat thing about the maps is that you can zoom in so that most streets are named. This means you could plan your vacation to one of these cities with bike use in mind.
Check it out.
by Mary Mullen
3 - U-Haul Now Hiring for Store at Old Cub Location
On behalf of Tom Hodel, Marketing Company President, I would like to inform you both that we are now accepting job applications for our new store at 4716 Verona Rd (old Cub Foods store).
The positions we currently have open is:
Customer Service Rep - all part time positions, starting pay of $9.00 per hour
General Manager - Fulltime position, starting salary is $35k to $38k per year
Anyone who is interested can fill out the online application at www.uhauljobs.com <http://www.uhauljobs.com <http://www.uhauljobs.com> >
[Editor’s Note: Before you start your application, please be certain to read the following article for hints about getting to the application and hints on how to fill it out.]
Whoever is hired will be training at one of our other locations until opening day, which could be the eastside at 22 Atlas Court or on the westside at 522 W Platte Dr or at our downtown location at 602 W. Washington Ave.
If you have any questions please let me know.
Thanks,
Penni Narlock, Executive Assistant
U-Haul Co. Western Wisconsin
22 Atlas Court, Madison, WI 53714
608-223-3057
4 - Hints for Finding and Filling Out U-Haul Application
Guess what! I’m a college graduate, and I had a hard time figuring out just how to find and use the on-line U-Haul application.
Here are some hints for you if you are hoping to get a job with U-Haul right near our neighborhood at the old CUB grocery store location. I compiled them from trying to use the site myself and from talking to Penni Narlock, Executive Assistant to U-Haul, Western Wisconsin. She’s the person who put out the notice about the jobs.
Here are the hints.
· First, be aware that you must be able to verify that you have a legal right to work in the United States. You must agree to a drug test if you are offered employment. Other requirements are having a valid driver’s license, a good driving record, and the ability to operate motor vehicles with both automatic and standard transmissions. If you can’t meet these requirements, there’s probably no use to make an application.
· Gather things you will need for your application:
o Social Security number
o work history including employer address, telephone number, supervisor name, starting dates, ending dates, pay rate at beginning and end
o resume or a cover letter (if you will want to put them in the application) It would be easiest to have the resume and cover letter already in digital form so you can just paste the information into the application.
o names and telephone numbers of 3 references.
If you are away from your computer for more than 20 minutes, everything is erased and you have to start over.
· Get on you computer and go to <http://www.uhauljobs.com <http://www.uhauljobs.com> >
· Assuming you want one of the “Customer Service Rep” positions, fill out the blanks as follows:
o Customer Service Rep
o Madison
o WI
o 53711
o You do NOT need to check any of the skills/jobs boxes on this page
· At bottom, click on the red arrow next to “Find”
· A slough of “Customer Service Rep” job titles will come up. Click on any one of the 3 from Madison. (The Verona Road location isn’t listed yet because this location is not yet open, but this is how you apply for working at Verona Road anyway.)
· Read the description. You’ll note some of the items included in the first hint.
· On the bottom or top green strip, click on the red arrow next to Apply Now. There you will read some important information about the application process including the warning about how your data will be lost if your computer application is abandoned for more than 20 minutes. Be aware. I lost all my data when I was filling out my sample application.
· Supply all required information. Unless the application is complete, it will not be accepted.
· When you get to the “Skills and Experience” page, be aware that the more boxes you check, the harder the assessment will be later on in the application. You will be asked questions about your knowledge of all the skills/experience you check. If you fail the assessment, you must wait 60 days to apply again.
Good luck.
by Mary Mullen
5 - Speak Out on Madison Public Safety Budget Priorities, August 31
Are you a person with an opinion on the City of Madison’s funding for Public Safety? Then you will want to attend the last in a series of 5 meetings hosted by Mayor Paul Soglin. The meeting is about budgets for the Fire, Police, and Public Health Departments.
Attend this meeting on Wednesday, August 31, 7-9 p.m., Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive.
6 - 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.
7 - Doggy Do Bag Stations Established in Marlborough Park
“Ask, and ye shall receive,” was a mantra from my childhood. Later on, at a fund raising workshop, that same concept was emphasized. “You can’t get it if you don’t ask for it,” was the watchword for asking for the big bucks.
The same idea goes for neighborhood business.
Case in point, doggy do bag dispensers in Marlborough Park. There are now 3 of them at entrances to the park.
Here’s the story of how they got there.
On April 19, DMNA Council member JoAnn Kelly brought a proposal to the Council about the doggy do problem in Marlborough Park. She suggested that we to ask the city of Madison to provide dog waste bag dispenser stations in the park. The Council agreed with her and deputized her to contact the city about this issue.
By the next Council meeting, July 6, Jo had learned that the City would indeed provide 3 dispensers if the neighborhood association would pay for the bags which cost $48 for 2000 bags. The Council approved.
Not too long after that and there they were, tan plastic dispensers attached to posts at the entrances from Milford, Sentinel Pass, and Apache Drive. Embossed on the front is “Dog Waste Bags.”
Are they used? Well, I saw a dog walker extract a bag from the Milford dispenser a couple of weeks ago. Later, this same dog walker wrote a $25 check to the neighborhood association in gratitude for the Association’s efforts.
“Ask, and ye shall receive.” It works.
by Mary Mullen
8 - A Visit to the New Fitchburg Library (Attachment: “1 col Fitchburg library.jpg”)
The other day when I was delivering a document to the Fitchburg City Hall on Lacy Road, I took the opportunity to stop into the new Fitchburg Library. What a pleasant place - roomy, light, and airy, plus artful.
Check out the picture collage about the library to see whether this place might suit you too.
You don’t have to be a Fitchburg resident to use the library. Anyone with a library card from a Dane County library can also borrow books there. But Dane County resident or not, this space is a great place to spend a few hours. Computers are available too.
Hours of the library are as follows, but be aware that holidays are different.
Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday (Labor Day - Memorial Day) 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
For a treasure-trove of information about the Fitchburg Library, try out their website at http://www.city.fitchburg.wi.us/departments/library/index.php
by Mary Mullen
9 - Madison Offers “My Account” to Keep You Informed
“Oh, dear! What are they doing now? Why didn’t somebody tell me about that detour (bus route change, job opportunity, fun thing to do)?”
Have you ever been in the position of suddenly learning an inconvenient - or fun - fact that you wish somebody had informed you of before you were right in the middle of it or before you missed it?
There’s help if you want to know what’s going on in Madison
The way to keep up is to sign up for an account and then join the e-mail lists you are most interested in. There are many, ranging from employment opportunities, Mayor Soglin’s blog, Metro Transit, Madison Parks, City Hall, Madison Police Department, Department of Civil Rights, Senior Center, and many, many more.
How to do this? Simple. Just go to https://my.cityofmadison.com/ and follow the directions to sign up for your account.
It’s a great resource.
by Mary Mullen
10 - Already Have “My Account” with the City? Then Sign Up for “Opt-Out” to Prevent Disclosures
By participating in My Account, the Wisconsin Public Records Laws may subject your email address and other personal information to disclosure to third parties.
A new feature has been added to My Account that gives you the option to have your email address and personal information be treated as confidential and will not be shared. We recommend that you make your selection promptly.
Update your Public Records Information Setting:
https://my.cityofmadison.com/optout.cfm <file://localhost/optout.cfm>
(https://my.cityofmadison.com/emaillists/redirect.cfm?ID=32210&MID=5805&LID=140)
APACHE POND
11 - Trail Around Apache Pond Is a Big Attraction
Hi Rick [Eilertson],
Just wanted to let you know I am seeing lots of activity at the pond. Walking with and without canine companions, strollers, bikes with training wheels, lots of families & neighbors enjoying it already!
It really looks great, and my husband and I are looking forward to the planting party. Thanks for making this happen!
This observation and thoughtful note of appreciation were sent by Fitchburg District 1, Seat 2 Alder Carol Poole to Fitchburg’s Environmental Engineer, Rick Eilertson. He has been the point person in the transformation of the area below Apache Drive and Crescent Road from a wild wooded area to a wet pond. The purpose of the pond is to protect Dunn’s Marsh and downstream waters from sedimentation.
Carol and her husband live on Crescent Road just a bit west of the pond and can easily see all the new human and canine activity on the trail around the pond. She is in her second term on the Common Council of the City of Fitchburg.
Eilertson is planning a rain garden planting party within the public property just east of the pond. The rain garden has been in the plans since the inception of the project. The planting party will be scheduled Saturday morning, 9 am to noon on September 17. It will to be followed by a brief grand opening ceremony and lunch. [See related articles.]
Anyone in the neighborhood will be welcomed to take part in planting, the ceremony, and refreshments afterward.
In his note back to Carol, Rick thanked her for taking the time to let him know how popular the pond walk has become.
“That's awesome Carol!” he said. “Thanks for the feedback. This has really been a great team project and one that I'm quite proud to have played a part in.”
His final words in the e-mail pointed out how important and how much appreciated a word of thanks can be to a public worker - or anyone for that matter.
Thanks again for your e-mail - It really cheered me up (I can't tell you how much I needed that today)! I'm out tomorrow to attend a funeral in Waukesha, but will be back in the office on Friday. Rick E.
by Mary Mullen
12 - Apache Pond Volunteer Planting Party – Sat., Sept. 17, 9am to Noon
This summer, Fitchburg installed a new stormwater pond at the intersection of Apache Drive and Crescent Road to help reduce erosion and sediment runoff into Dunn’s Marsh. The pipe installation, grading, and temporary seeding was completed by Iverson Construction in June. Stantec is continuing with vegetation management activities around the pond and will be helping with coordination of a volunteer planting party on Saturday, September 17, from 9am to Noon.
Volunteers for the planting party will include neighborhood residents, Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association members, the Boys & Girls Club, local service groups, and any other interested parties. Work efforts will include planting 200 native plants around the pond edge, 200 native plants in an adjacent rain garden, and 18 trees at various locations around the pond.
The Apache Pond Volunteer Planting Party will culminate in a Grand Opening Celebration to be held at Noon in front of the pond, followed by a lunch by the pond. Pizza and beverages will be provided; however, participants are invited to bring a dish to pass if they’d like. Donations for memorial benches and/or stormwater information signage will also be welcomed.
If you are interested in volunteering for this event or have any questions, comments, or suggestions on the Apache Pond project, please contact Rick Eilertson at rick.eilertson@city.fitchburg.wi.us <mailto:rick.eilertson@city.fitchburg.wi.us> or 270-4264.
from Rick Eilertson
13 - Grand Opening Celebration for Apache Pond, Noon, Sat. , Sept. 17
So you don’t plan to participate in the planting party for Apache Pond? Doesn’t matter. You are still invited to the Grand Opening Celebration for this wet pond. Just show up at noon down by the pond at the foot of Apache Drive on Crescent Road.
A short program will be followed by lunch as mentioned in the article above.
Don’t miss this special celebration in the neighborhood.
by Mary Mullen
LICENSES
14 - Cats, Dogs, Bikes, and Basketball Hoops Need Licenses in Fitchburg
If you live in Fitchburg and you have a cat or dog, it needs to be licensed. So does your bike. And believe it or not, a basketball hoop also needs a permit. Most of these documents need to be renewed annually, but a bike license is for the life of the bicycle.
For a spayed or neutered cat, the annual license fee is $5.00. If your cat isn’t spayed, the fee is $7.00
For dogs, the annual fee is either $15 or $20, depending on whether it is spayed or neutered. If you apply after March 31, add an extra $5.00. There’s a break for you if you own more than one dog. The “multiple dog license” is $43.00
Pet owners may apply for an animal license in the Fitchburg Clerk's Office or by mail. When mailing the application for dog or cat license, include a copy of your current rabies vaccination certificate. The license, tag, and your rabies information will be mailed back to you.
The bike license, only $5.00, comes from the police department which you can visit during normal business hours. You’ll need to provide the serial number , make, color, speed (number of gears?), and tire size of the bike.
The basketball hoop permit costs $30.00 a year. They are required if you want to park your movable basketball hoop structure in the street such as at the end of a cul-de-sac.
by Mary Mullen
15 - Animal and Bike Licenses Required by City of Madison
If you were feeling lucky that you live in the City of Madison when it comes to licensing your pet or your bike - most in the Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood do - don’t gloat too soon. Madison pet owners and bicyclists also need licenses.
For a cat or dog in Madison, the license fee for a spayed or neutered pet is $15 a year. For an unsprayed or unneutered cat or dog, the fee is $20.00. As in Fitchburg, the fee is raised $5.00 if you purchase the license on or after April 1.
Go to http://www.cityofmadison.com/treasurer/petLicensing.cfm for the application form and more details.
Bicycle licenses cost $10 each in Madison, renewable annually. However, if your family has more than 2 bikes, the “extra” bike licenses are only $8.00 each.
For Madison, bike owners need to supply the serial number, manufacturer (i.e. Schwinn, Trek), model (Varsity, DuraSport, etc.), type of frame (See the provided list), any other identifying information, wheel size, frame size, # of speeds, color.
Register bikes and pay for the license online at https://arcout.com/com/BikeRegistration.aspx <file://localhost/com/BikeRegistration.aspx> You can also buy at license at any bike store or at the City Treasurer’s office in the City County Building.
by Mary Mullen
ALDER NOTES
16 - Alder Poole Responds to Alder Arnold’s Bike/Ped Opinion
(Attachment: “2 Fitchburg 2011alder dist.jpg”)
In the August 11 e-News, I printed an opinion e-mail sent out by Fitchburg Alder Steve Arnold. Arnold had decried the lack of support for several pedestrian and bike projects he wished to have included in Fitchburg’s Capital Improvement Program, otherwise known as the CIP list.
While it was clear that this was Alder Arnold’s opinion since he stated that it was, and he identified that he was one of the Fitchburg alders serving District 4, I should have pointed out that Arnold does not represent the Dunn’s Marsh area of Fitchburg.
Our two representatives on the Fitchburg Council - which is in District 1 - are Carol Poole and Dorothy Krause. Both of these alders live in the Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood although they also represent areas in Fitchburg beyond our neighborhood as well. Alder Arnold represents District 4 which covers the majority of the land area of Fitchburg mainly south of Co. Road PD and east of Fish Hatchery Road.
Check out the attached map to see the current aldermanic districts in Fitchburg.
Here is Alder Poole’s response to the Arnold opinion piece.
Please note that Alder Arnold's article represents his opinion and not necessarily that of the Fitchburg Alders that represent our neighborhood.
The city has a resolution in place to not build infill sidewalks unless requested by the neighborhood or unless there is a serious safety issue. This is not the case and there is simply not support for them.
As for the multi-use path [along South Fish Hatchery Road], there are other issues surrounding that one too, including coordinating with the county on construction and the need to cut spending in tough economic times.
Our Capital plan is just a plan, if projects become more feasible in time, they can be added back.
by Mary Mullen
17 - Fitchburg Alder Dorothy Krause Shares Her Thoughts
[Editor’s note: These articles that focus on the Allied area were written by Alder Dorothy Krause for the Jamestown Neighborhood newsletter, Sunday, August 14, 2011]
Allied Neighborhood Pride
As an extension of a Safety and Security document generated by Madison’s Allied Area Task Force, the Southwest Commuter bike path behind Allied Drive has been receiving a safety facelift. The undergrowth along the path had been previously identified by the Neighborhood Watch program as a safety concern. With recent news reports of problems on bike paths around the city, area residents kicked efforts into high gear to get the path mowed more effectively.
When a member of an area bike email list posted information expressing concern about safety on the path near Allied, Fitchburg Alder Dorothy Krause responded, noting efforts already underway in the neighborhood and encouraging members to write to area elected officials as well as city staff, requesting that the under growth be cut back. Mowing was done within a week of the post. It might have also helped that the reply was copied to those officials.
Alder Krause is currently writing a proposal for the USDA’s People’s Garden grant which will include clear-cutting of the underbrush along most of the hillside on the path between Lovell Lane and the Verona Road underpass. The proposal will also include landscaping of the hillside as well as the opportunity for area residents to establish gardens on appropriate areas in the right-of-way as is common in other areas in Madison.
Why focus on Allied?
Looking at area city maps, it becomes obvious that Allied Drive is physically located within the City of Fitchburg, though it ‘belongs’ to Madison. If you ask residents in the area whether they live in Madison or Fitchburg, they generally don’t know. Nor are they aware where the lines are drawn, or what property is on which side of the line. An interesting note is that the Boys and Girls Club building is in Fitchburg, while their parking lot is in Madison. Allied Drive, the bike path, and Carling Drive on the west side of the path
are all in Madison, while the entire Chalet Gardens area next to Carling Drive, off of Verona Road is again Fitchburg.
No wonder people are confused. But, that means the community really needs to be taken as a whole, regardless of city lines. Alders in both Madison and Fitchburg understand this fact, as does the Police and Fire Departments, and other services that end up straddling the lines.
As a resident in the Allied area for more then nine years now, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of people living in chronic poverty. I’ve also seen that the long term answer to helping people out of poverty is to give them opportunities to become productive. These are people with pride, but their pride has been ground down by their circumstances. In working with groups of Allied residents, I’ve seen that sense of pride begin to emerge in beneficial ways. And it has been my intent to promote that pride of community, in ways that benefit the greater community of which we all are part.
The Allied Area Task Force was established by the City of Madison in 2005 in response to rising crime rates, and includes city officials from both Madison and Fitchburg, area residents, and area service providers. Over time it has been the springboard of much of the good work that has been accomplished by residents, including the Neighborhood Association, the Neighborhood Watch program, a Welcomer’s group, Mothers in the Neighborhood, and GEMS (Girls Empowered by Motivated Sisters—an education and support group for preteen and young teen girls, led by women in the neighborhood). The Boys and Girls Club has become an asset to the community, which hosts many community meetings and events, in addition to its core service of providing excellent programming for area youth. The MSCR Learning Center, the JFF office, the Wellness Center, the Wellness Coop, Allied Partners, and other groups in the community all work in cooperation with residents to help them help themselves.
I have learned a lot working with this community, work that has helped me to better understand the challenges that they, and people in other similar areas, face and which is an understandable dilemma to the city… and to society as a whole. What we can, and should, do about chronic poverty is a multi-million dollar question. The way I see it is that we can either continue providing money for their basic needs, or, we can (and should!) find ways to help them to provide for themselves. How to do that is a huge question in itself, but one which we must explore.
Because this topic has become so important to me, I’ve been attending all of County Executive Joe Parisi’s Jobs and Prosperity Project meetings the past month or so. I want to get a sense of what is possible in various industries, and work within those possibilities to help good things happen. I am especially interested in helping to create jobs in the $12 to $15 range, as well as working toward more affordable housing options, not only for people living in chronic poverty, but also for those teetering on the edge in these economic times. I know it’s not going to get easier, but I have faith that it will get better.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Krause, Fitchburg Common Council, District 1, Seat 1
2105 Apache Dr., Fitchburg, WI 53711
608-271-7532
18 - Hacker’s Corner: Bike Lanes on Frontage Roads Still in the Pipeline
(Attachment: “3 bike lane e-mails.doc”)
OK, did that get your attention - Hacker’s Corner?
It used to be that you’d have to physically snoop to find your parents’ love letters. These days, for Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World, hacker journalists got their thrills by getting into private cell phone messages and passing them on.
But what is a poor non-tech-savvy person like you or me to do?
Never fear, right here in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News, you can see with your own eyes some of the actual correspondence that goes with being an active neighborhood association, an alder, and a city staff person. In historian parlance, these are “primary sources.” Check them out in the attachment “3 bike lane e-mails.” (OK, they aren’t quite as sexy as love letters or the hacker journalist’s snooping, but they are still the real thing. And they aren’t illegal either.)
Here’s the actual story.
Last summer - that’s in 2010 - the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association requested that bike lanes be painted on the Beltline and Verona frontage roads. After prompting from Alder Brian Solomon, City of Madison Traffic Engineer Mark Winter said it was too late to get them in 2010, but they would be forthcoming in 2011.
Why, you might ask, don’t we have them yet? That’s just what the DMNA has inquired about this year. Again, it took e-mails from Alder Solomon to get an answer. That’s one reason we have alders - to get answers when we ordinary citizens can’t.
The short answer Alder Solomon got from Mark Winter is that the signs and lanes are still planned for this summer, but it may be a few weeks because there’s only one painting truck and crew.
For the long answer and insight into what it means to be an active neighborhood association, an alder, or city staff, check out the attachment. It documents the skinny in e-mail messages.
Be sure to read the very last e-mail in the string because it brings out a disturbing apparent change in the city’s plan to provide bike lanes in our neighborhood.
by Mary Mullen
---- End of August 26, 2011 Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News ------
THANKS FOR READING
Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News
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 ----
THANKS FOR READING
Come one! Come All!
Picnic at Marlborough Park this Friday, 5 pm til dark.
Check out the flyer below.
Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News
July 29, 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 218-7060
News contact, Mary Mullen, communications@dunnsmarsh.org
or mmullen@chorus.net 298-0843
Website: http://www.dunnsmarsh.org <http://www.dunnsmarsh.org>
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/note.php?note_id=378988848623 <http://facebook.com/note.php?note_id=378988848623>
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Join our sister neighborhood association at the ADMNA Festival Saturday from noon-5:00. This is a positive compared to the crimes reported in the next 3 articles. Read about a former DMNA president who died this week. Learn how to participate in the City of Madison’s budget process and how to be sure you have your voter ID for the next election. Unless noted otherwise, the articles were written by Mary Mullen.
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CALENDAR
- Sat., July 30, noon - 5 p.m - Allied Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association Festival, Belmar Park, Jenewein & Red Arrow Trail (Article 1 and attachment)
- Wed., August 3, 7 pm – DMNA Council meeting. Prairie UU Society, corner of Crawford/Whenona
- Fri., August 5, 5 p.m.-dark - Annual DMNA potluck picnic, Marlborough Park basketball court. Bring a potluck dish to share, anything you want to grill, your own beverages, picnic-ware, and a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. This is a low-key, friendly gathering for all people in the neighborhood.
- Mon., Aug. 15 – Deadline for comments on the final Verona Rd project Environmental Impact Statement. (See articles 7 & 8.)
______________________________________________________________________________
ARTICLES
In the Neighborhood
1 - ADMNA Festival Saturday at Belmar Park, Noon to 5 pm (Attachment: ADMNA fest flyer.jpg”))
2 - Youths Attempt to Burn Garden in Marlborough Park
3 - Stabbing Perpetrator and Victim Apprehended in Front of Zimmer’s Liquors
4 - Meadowood Neighborhood Experiences Crime Issues: What to Do
5 - Apache Pond Reaches Substantial Completion
6 - Neighbor, Former DMNA President, and Soccer Mainstay Charles Billings Passes Away
7 - How to Comment on Verona Road Final Environmental Impact Statement (Attach: “2 Verona Rd Stage 1.jpg)
8 - A Bicyclist Comments on the Verona Road Final Environmental Impact Statement
9 - Free Energy Audits Offered by WISPIRG
From the City
10 - City Has Places to Cool Down During Extreme Heat
11 - City Budget Survey Can Be Done Online
12 - You, Your Neighborhood, and Your City Budget Conversation Invite - from Mayor Soglin
13 - City Budget Conversation to Feature 5 Different Service Subjects
14 - Voter ID Update: Sources of Information
15 - Free Voter ID card Requires $20 Fee for Birth Certificate!
16 - Voter ID Requirements Detailed - from the City of Madison
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ARTICLES
In the Neighborhood
1 - ADMNA Festival Saturday at Belmar Park, Noon to 5 pm (Attachment: “1 ADMNA fest flyer.jpg”)
The 4th annual “Moving In Not Out Neighborhood Festival,” sponsored by the Allied Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association starts at noon this Saturday, July 30, at Belmar Park (behind the Boys & Girls Club). Weather permitting, it will continue until 5 p.m.
Fun, food, music, raffles, and games are planned.
The attached flyer advertises “Fun for All - Kids and the Kids at Heart.”
It’s a good place to meet socialize or just kick back and be a people-watcher.
Also, remember that the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood Association will be having its annual potluck picnic on the east side of the neighborhood in Marlborough Park on the following Friday, 5 p.m. until dark.
2 - Youths Attempt to Burn Garden in Marlborough Park
Four years ago, on the night of October 13, arsonists burned the Marlborough Park playground, setting in motion construction of a bigger, better playground. The arsonists were never found. It seems that now some firebugs are at it again.
Can you believe that in the past week, in broad daylight 3 young people were actually seen starting a fire in one of the hay-mulched gardens in the Marlborough Community garden and setting it afire? Sadly, that is true.
Two gardeners were in their plots in the no-till garden and saw the culprits. The arsonists were 2 older teenage boys and a younger girl. When one gardener yelled at them, they fled, carrying a gas can. That gardener grabbed a hose and put out the fire, limiting the damage.
The vandalism was reported to police, but as yet these misguided young people haven’t been identified.
There are also reports that someone has tried starting fires at the back door of the Boys and Girls Club. Another person saw kids trying to set a fire in the trash barrel near the basketball court in Marlborough Park and stopped them.
Anyone with information about any of these fires should contact the arson investigator, Fire Captain Bradley E. Olson, 266-4488 and beolson@cityofmadison.com
Call 911 if you see arson in progress.
by Mary Mullen
3 - Stabbing Perpetrator and Victim Apprehended in Front of Zimmer’s Liquors
Lots of police cars and a civilian car with an open door were what caught my attention about 12:45 this afternoon when I passed by Zimmer’s Liquor Store at 4217 West Beltline Highway - the frontage road.
A call to Mr. Zimmer revealed that the problem didn’t really involve either his place of business or an accident. Apparently, a stabbing had taken place shortly before elsewhere in the neighborhood, and the police had been lying in wait in front of his establishment for the car to pull up. Both the perpetrator and victim were apprehended there.
“I got to watch the whole thing for about an hour,” he said.
Nasty doings.
by Mary Mullen
4 - Meadowood Neighborhood Experiences Crime Issues: What to Do
As a subscriber to the Meadowood Neighborhood e-mail list, I’ve learned recently that that neighborhood along Raymond Road has been experiencing a lot of small crime issues.
Here’s what their association is recommending. Since this is also what we in the Dunn’s Marsh neighborhood need to do, I’m reprinting it.
Dear Neighbors,
Since I sent out emails about recent criminal activity in the [Meadowood] neighborhood I was alerted to mailboxes being damaged on Monticello Way, someone's vehicle being keyed on Prairie Road and an attempted motorcycle theft.
Just a reminder of options available to you on reporting criminal activity/behavior:
1. If it is an immediate situation please call 911
2. If it is something that may not be dangerous but annoying, call the dispatch number at 266-4275 and select #7
3. You can always self-report on the City's website
o General Problems: https://www.cityofmadison.com/reportAProblem/GeneralFeedback.cfm
o Graffiti: https://www.cityofmadison.com/reportAProblem/Graffiti.cfm
o Exterior Housing issues i.e. junk, trash in street or property: https://www.cityofmadison.com/reportAProblem/exteriorHousing.cfm
o Traffic Enforcement (hint keep a notepad and pen in your car): https://www.cityofmadison.com/reportAProblem/traffic_enforcement.cfm <file://localhost/reportAProblem/traffic_enforcement.cfm>
These are just a few ways neighbors can keep city officials and neighbors informed!
Lisa Veldran, President, Meadowood Neighborhood Association
5 - Apache Pond Reaches Substantial Completion
Felipe Avila and I wanted to let you all know that Iverson Construction has reached Substantial Completion on the Apache Drive Wet Pond Construction Project and we'll be having a final punch list walk-through with them early next week. Please feel free to pass along any comments, concerns, and/or suggestions to me or Felipe at your earliest convenience so we can address these prior to final payment.
Here's a summary of upcoming work still planned around the pond:
1. August to November 2011 - Occasional spot herbicide treatments and/or mechanical cutting of weeds/undesired plants
2. September or October 2011 - Public Grand Opening Celebration of the Apache Drive Pond and Volunteer Planting Party with neighbors, DMNA, ADMNA, Dane County Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and/or any other interested service organizations. This would include a summary of historical development patterns of the area, reasons for the pond construction, future management of the pond (e.g. mowing, prescribed burns, etc.), potential future connections to the Cannonball Path, and informational signage.
Also, we've had some requests to install pet waste signage, bag dispensers, and receptacles as well as picnic tables and/or benches. If anyone has comments, concerns, and/or suggestions on any of these items, please feel free to let me know.
Thank you everyone for the positive feedback you've given to me and Felipe so far! Let's keep those ideas and suggestions rolling in.
Rick Eilertson, P.E..Environmental Engineer, City of Fitchburg
rick.eilertson@city.fitchburg.wi.us,270-4264 direct, 235-0412 cell
6 - Neighbor, Former DMNA President, and Soccer Mainstay Charles Billings Passes Away
He was a quiet neighbor but one with a passion for volunteer activities.
Charles Billings, of Windflower Way, was known best in upper-echelon soccer, but he also devoted some of his time to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood.
Read about his contributions to the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood here. The link to his soccer activities as a player and as an adult leader here in Madison is at the end of this article.
Charles Billings became a DMNA Council member in October 1989 and served as Secretary until the fall of 1991 when he moved up to Vice President. In May of 1992 he became President of the DMNA and continued in that position through October 1993.
There’s a gap in my set of newsletters between October 1993 and April 1994, but apparently at the fall 1993 meeting, a new president was elected, and Charles became Vice President. October 1994 brought a new change of duties. Charles was again Secretary and remained so until the September 1995 annual meeting.
That’s a total of 6 years continuous service on the DMNA Council, nothing to sneeze at.
Charles did not serve on the Council again, but he did help the DMNA come out of its “quiet period” of the early 2000s. He was one of 9 people attending what my notes of that October 1, 2005 meeting call the “Neighborhood Assoc. Resurrection Mtg.” Also attending were other former DMNA presidents Dave Martin, Scot Sauer, and Mary Mullen, and former Council members Carol Poole and Sharon Flinn, as well as Dave’s wife Linda, and newcomers Danielle and Ray Rosales.
At that time, as we went around the circle, Charles spoke in favor of coming alive again. He saw our role as one of collecting and disseminating information, serving as a “hub of information” and pulling that information together. He also mentioned that we should revive the spring cleanup and should sponsor social activities. Personally, he said that he wanted to get to know newer residents and develop friendships. Later in the meeting he also mentioned that the neighborhood needs “the leverage of an association.” Individuals alone can’t do as much as residents working together in an organized group. Charles also attended a meeting of most of the same people on October 24, 2005 as we planned how to proceed toward rejuvenation.
Finally, he was one of the people that helped lead the public meeting in April 24, 2006, that officially got the DMNA going again with election of a new slate of officers. Charles em-ceed the all-important part of the meeting where people aired their concerns and ideas. And, as they say, the rest is history. We’ve been a going operation ever since then, and we’ve made a difference.
Let’s not leave thinking about Charles Billings without a few wise words from him about being part of the neighborhood association. His words are just as true today as when he wrote them nearly 18 years ago.
Writing in the Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood News in October 1993, he urged neighbors to become more involved in the Association.
The future of the DMNA is a fragile thing. Like all functioning organisms, its future is dependent on a periodical infusion of new resources to replace those that are lost….
The issues the DMNA address do directly affect the neighborhood’s residents. We need and want persons who are interested in the local problems and concerns. Persons who want to be able to affect local events; to bring about change; to find out what’s going on. The DMNA is the locally based vehicle to achieve these goals. Join us for your own benefit - for our mutual benefit.
Charles Billings died July 27. As his neighbor on Windflower Way puts it,
Didn't know him too well kept to himself and had others doing his yard work.
Hard to see a long time resident pass away this way.
I’ll add that I’ll miss Charles too even though I only talked to him when I delivered flyers on his street. He was always friendly and supportive. In the last conversation I had with him, probably a year ago or so, he talked about his work with soccer. He was obviously proud of his work there and very busy with it.
Read about his career as a player and a distinguished leader in soccer at
http://wisconsinsoccercentral.com/amateur/madison-56ers-npsl/3234-56ers-mainstay-billings-passes-away
by Mary Mullen
7 - How to Comment on Verona Road Final Environmental Impact Statement
(Map attachment: “2 -Verona Rd Stage 1.jpg”)
Ready to comment on the Verona Road Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)?
You have 2 choices:
By e-mail, comment to Larry Barta larry.barta@dot.wi.gov
In hardcopy, provide your comments to Joe Olson, Regional Director, WisDOT, SW Region, 2101 Wright St., Madison, WI 53704-2583.
Take a look at the attached map of Stage 1 changes. Or better yet, view the entire FEIS electronically on the web at the following address:
http://www.dot.wi.gov/projects/d1/verona/environment.htm <http://www.dot.wi.gov/projects/d1/verona/environment.htm> .
If you have little time, at least study the Executive Summary which is at the beginning of Volume 1. It’s about 25 pages long.
Find the entire 2-volume set of the FEIS at these branches of the Madison Public Library:
Central Library, 201 West Mifflin Street
Alicia Ashman Branch, 733 North High Point Road
Meadowridge Branch, 5740 Raymond Road
Monroe Street Branch.1705 Monroe Street
Sequoya Branch, 4340 Tokay Boulevard (at Midvale)
South Madison Branch, 2222 South Park
It’s also available in adjacent cities:
Middleton Public Library, Main Branch, 7425 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton
Verona Public Library, Main Branch, 500 Silent Street, Verona
McFarland Public Library, Main Branch, 5920 Milwaukee Street, McFarland
Fitchburg Public Library, Main Branch, 5530 Lacy Road, Fitchburg
8 - A Bicyclist Comments on the Verona Road Final Environmental Impact Statement
(This communication was sent to the “bikies” listserve in hopes that avid bicyclists might weigh in on the bike facilities for the Verona Road project.)
The proposed Verona Road/West Beltline project Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is out. It has many plans for bike/ped facilities in the vicinity of Verona Road and the Beltline. Written comments must be in by Monday, August 15. There will be no public hearing.
Bikers might especially be interested in commenting on
- plans related to getting across Verona Road close to the Beltline,
- ways to cross the Beltline (There’s no traffic-separated route right at the intersection, and the bike/ped overpasses are further away than most people want to go if they are trying to get to the Dorn Hardware area or Midvale Blvd)
- crossings involving the Southwest Commuter Trail, the Badger State Trail, and the Cannonball Trail, especially of Verona Road and also PD, and in Stage 3 as well as Stage 1 and 2.
Some of these crossings are a veritable nightmare now.
The at-grade crossing of the Beltline on Verona Road is extremely dangerous now. A proposed tunnel that will connect the Beltline frontage roads on each side of Verona Road is a big improvement over the at-grade crossing – 17 lanes after Verona Road expansion!!! - that was proposed in the Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
The Badger Trail and Cannonball crossings of PD are at grade right now. Plans for Stage 1 – coming up in 2012 – do NOT provide for grade separation. Traffic on PD is heavy now and travels fast, making it dangerous to cross. Traffic will only get much, much worse during the 3-year construction period when traffic will try to avoid going through the construction zone up by the Beltline. A grade-separated crossing is still not promised for Stage 3, around 2030.
Changes to the access point to cross the Beltline on the ped/bike bridge at Whenona Drive are counter productive in my view since few bikers and even fewer pedestrians – often school kids going to Cherokee or Thoreau – like going half a block out of their way in the wrong direction and then having to double back toward their point of origin.
Now the access point for the ped/bike overpass is at Whenona Drive. Today’s users don’t need to cross traffic either on Whenona or anywhere else when getting on from Whenona. The newly proposed access point would mean that many peds and bikers would have to cross Whenona and/or Britta, go half a block west, then come back half a block east to get on Whenona and go down to the schools.
People heading to Dorn Hardware, including myself, would probably chose to risk the at-grade crossing of the Beltline on Verona Road rather than go the extra block and then have to cross Verona Road/Midvale at-grade anyway even though they had already taken the overpass.
The Stage 1 plans calls for moving the Southwest Commuter path to the west at the underpass of Verona Road. Stage 3 offers a couple of choices – keeping it more or less on its same alignment or putting it on a Raymond Road bridge. I go for the straight shot myself.
To join the bikies listserve, go to http://lists.danenet.org/listinfo.cgi/bikies-danenet.org)
by Mary Mullen
9 - Free Energy Audits Offered by WISPIRG
This summer WISPIRG Energy Service Corps ‘Power to the People’ campaign is working to increase energy efficiency in Wisconsin.
The Energy Service Corps is working with homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient.
WISPIRG's Energy Service Corps is a joint project of the WISPIRG Foundation and AmeriCorps. Specifically, AmeriCorps members with WISPIRG Energy Service Corps will provide FREE home energy assessments and upgrades.
To learn more about this and to take advantage of this free service, go to http://www.webaction.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=6102 <http://www.webaction.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=6102>
WISPIRG stands for the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group. To learn more about the organization, look at <http://www.wispirg.org/about-us>
AmeriCorps emphasizes community service. It’s somewhat like a domestic Peace Corps, I believe. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, student-loan forbearance, health coverage, and child care for those who qualify. After successfully completing their term of service, they receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $5,350. This award can be used to pay off qualified student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training at eligible institutions.
by Mary Mullen
From the City
10 - City Has Places to Cool Down During Extreme Heat
The City of Madison is urging people to protect themselves from the dangerous heat and humidity. Temperatures have been in the mid-90s recently with heat indexes of up to 115 degrees. Although it’s cooled off somewhat this week, you still might want to put the following information in your memory bank.
A map of city facility locations shows public places that have air-conditioning or might bring you relief from the heat. <http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/summer/coolDownLocations.cfm <http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/summer/coolDownLocations.cfm> >
The ones closest to us are the public library branches at the Meadowridge Library 5740 Raymond Road and Sequoya Library at Midvale and Tokay. The Cypress Spray Park at 902 Magnolia Lane and the Goodman Pool on 325 Olin Avenue are other facilities that can cool a person down.
Check out the website for information, facilities and map of cooling centers.
http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/summer/extremehotweather.cfm <http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/summer/extremehotweather.cfm>
from City of Madison
11 - City Budget Survey Can Be Done Online
City of Madison residents are invited to participate in an on-line survey about the Madison Budget.
Don’t miss this easy opportunity to contribute your ideas and opinions. The survey is available at
http://www.cityofmadison.com/budgetProcess/survey.cfm
12 - You, Your Neighborhood, and Your City Budget Conversation Invite - from Mayor Soglin
www.cityofmadison.com/budgetprocess
Each year during the budget process, we ask Madison residents for their thoughts as to how the city should spend its money. This year, as you think about the upcoming city budget, please go deeper than individual line items – consider what values are important for our city and how these values should be expressed in the services that the city provides for individuals, neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
In these challenging times, citizen involvement is more important than ever. That is why we are structuring our operating budget process differently this year. We are involving you, the citizen, earlier in the process and we want your ideas. There are two ways for you to participate, both in person and online. I hope you have seen some of the many announcements regarding our Community Budget Conversations. There will be five separate Community Budget Conversations in five areas of the city focusing on various aspects of city services. (If the link doesn’t work, use this URL: http://www.cityofmadison.com/budgetProcess/conversations.cfm )
Elected officials and city staff will attend, as you discuss with your neighbors your values and priorities for city services, keeping in mind how this budget will affect you, your neighborhood, and your city.
If you can’t attend one of the community meetings, I invite you to participate in the budget survey on the website. The ranking of city services in the meetings and on the web will help guide the development of the City budget. Now more than ever it is important to hear from community members about budget priorities. We also hope that participating in this process will help you understand more about where the city’s money comes from, how it has been spent in 2011, and the wide range of services our city employees provide. I urge you to participate, join in the discussions and complete the budget survey. Your involvement is vital as we move forward together.
Mayor Paul R. Soglin
13 - City Budget Conversation to Feature 5 Different Service Subjects
1. Community Development & Services WAS Tuesday, July 26, 7-9pm
Location: Urban League. 2222 S. Park Street, Suite 200
This meeting covered (1) the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the (2) Community Development Division.
The committees & commissions under these organizations are: CDA, CDBG, Community Services Committee, Early Childhood Care & Education Committee, Committee on Community Gardens, Housing Committee, and Senior Center Advisory Committee
2. Administration. Monday, August 1, 7-9pm
Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Avenue
Departments & Division covered are Common Council, Mayor, Municipal Court, Civil Rights, Attorney, Assessor, Clerk, Treasurer, Finance (Comptroller), Information Technology including City Channel, and Human Resources.
Committees & Commissions covered include Affirmative Action Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission on People with Disabilities, Personnel Board, and CCOC.
3. Infrastructure, Tuesday, August 16, 7-9pm
Location: Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin Street
This meeting will cover the following Departments and Divisions: Public Works, Engineering, Streets, Traffic Engineering, Metro Transit, Planning Division, Economic Development Division, Building Inspection, and Water.
Committees & Commissions covered by the Infrastructure meeting are: Madison Arts Commission, Downtown Coordinating Committee, Long Range Transportation Planning Committee, Ped/Bike/Motor Vehicle Commission, Board of Public Works, Committee on the Environment, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Vending Oversight Committee, Plan Commission, Urban Design Commission, and the Landmarks Commission.
4. Large Community Facilities & Parks (Recreation), Monday, August 22, 7-9pm
Location: Orchard Ridge UCC, 1501 Gilbert Road
This meeting will cover the following Departments and Divisions: Library, Monona Terrace, Overture Center, and Parks.
Committees and Commissions covered by the Large Community Facilities & Parks include: Madison Public Library Board, Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center Board, and the Board of Parks Commissioners
5. Public Safety, Wednesday, August 31, 7-9pm
Location: Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive
Departments & Divisions covered will be Fire, Police, and Public Health.
The Committees and Comissions included are: Public Safety Review Committee,Board of Health for Madison & Dane County. and the ALRC (Alcohol Licence Review Committee.
14 - Voter ID Update: Sources of Information
Beginning in September, the City Clerk’s Office will offer presentations and question & answer sessions throughout the community to educate voters on the requirements of the new voter ID law and on how to obtain a free ID for voting purposes.
Information on the new law is available at http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/PhotoIDDetails.cfm <http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/PhotoIDDetails.cfm> . It is also printed below.
City of Madison brochures regarding the new law are available at the following links:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/documents/NewElectionLawsBrochure07.20.2011.pdf
http://www.cityofmadison.com/election/documents/VotingBrochure_000.pdf
http://www.cityofmadison.com/election/documents/ObtaininganIDCardtoVote.pdf
Thank you for helping us spread the word about these extensive changes to our voting process!
Maribeth Witzel-Behl, Madison City Clerk
Wisconsin Certified Municipal Clerk
phone: 608-266-4601
~We exist to assist.~
15 - Free Voter ID card Requires $20 Fee for Birth Certificate!
The new voter ID law passed by the State of Wisconsin and signed by the Governor provides that voters may receive a free identification card for voting purposes. However, there’s a BIG catch. To get a free ID, voters born in Wisconsin will need to present a certified birth certificate to the Department of Motor Vehicles. The certified birth certificate costs $20!
Besides the money, to get the certified birth certificate, you will have to also provide some kind of identification that you are who you say you are.
If you were born in Dane County, acceptable corroboration of your identity can be
· Wisconsin driver’s license or Wisconsin identification card with photo
· Current college or high school identification card with photo
· Document with your name and address (Utility bill, Wisconsin hunting or fishing license, government-issued photo identification badge, United States passport, check or bank book, health insurance card, recently signed and dated lease, or traffic ticket)
· Family member or friend with photo identification who will corroborate you
It used to be that you could simply provide this kind of information when you registered to vote right at your voting place on the day of the election or prior to election day at your municipal clerk’s office. There was no need to have a birth certificate and no fee at all for registering at the polls or at the clerk’s office. Now voters must go to a Motor Vehicle Department office with their materials in order to get ID if they don’t already have it.
Fortunately, if you have a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, a passport, or military ID, those will work at the polls as ID although you still have to prove your address if your ID doesn’t have your current address.
Would-be voters born in other states have various requirements to get their certified birth certificates. For example, people born in Illinois must pay $15 for a full certified birth certificate and also pay an $8.50 fee to apply for the certificate if using a credit card.
If you were born in Iowa, the fee is $15 and another $9 for using a credit card to order it. It might take weeks to get your birth certificate too. The Iowa information notes that it might take 30-45 days to get the birth certificate ordered by mail or 10--14 days if you ordered by telephone using a credit card. Or if you went to Des Moines, IA to get your birth certificate in person, you would have to come back 1 or 2 days later to get it after you ordered it.
Of course for other states there are often other requirements as well such as filling out an application form, providing photo ID, and method of payment.
For comparison to the “free” Voter ID, the cost of a driver’s license or Wisconsin voter ID is at least $28 - and up to $35. This might make it somewhat cheaper to get a free Voter ID even if you have do have to pay $20 for a certified birth certificate. But, regardless of that, the new Voter ID law has made it quite a bit harder to register to vote.
by Mary Mullen
16 - Voter ID Requirements Detailed - from the City of Madison
Photo identification used for the purpose of voting is not required to have a current address.
Acceptable forms of photo identification if the expiration date is after the November 2, 2010, election:
- Driver license issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, even if driving privileges are revoked or suspended
- Identification card issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Military identification card issued by a United States uniformed service
- United States passport
Additional acceptable forms of photo identification:
- A certificate of naturalization that was issued within two years of the election for which it is used as ID
- Unexpired driving receipt issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Unexpired identification card receipt issued by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Identification card issued by a federally recognized Indian tribe in Wisconsin
- Unexpired identification card issued by a Wisconsin-accredited university or college that contains a date of issuance, signature of the student, and expiration date no later than two years after the date of issuance
How to Get a Photo ID to Vote <http://www.cityofmadison.com/clerk/GetaPhotoIDtoVote.cfm>
Voter Registration Changes
The following changes to voter registration are effective immediately:
- Under the new law, you may no longer register to vote the Saturday, Sunday, or Monday before an election. However, you may still register to vote at your polling place on Election Day.
- Voters may no longer use a corroborating witness as proof of residence when registering to vote. Acceptable forms of proof of residence - http://www.cityofmadison.com/election/voter/voterRegister.cfm <http://www.cityofmadison.com/election/voter/voterRegister.cfm> .
Signing the Poll Book
Voters are now required to sign or make their mark on the poll book before receiving a ballot. There is an exemption for voters who are unable to sign the poll book due to a disability. This change is effective immediately.
Absentee Voting
There are no immediate changes to absentee voting, but the following changes will be implemented in 2012.
Photo ID must accompany absentee ballot requests. Voters will be required to send a photocopy of an acceptable form of photo identification with their absentee requests. There are exemptions for indefinitely confined voters on the permanent absentee list, military voters, voters who are permanently overseas, and voters in nursing homes who are receiving their ballots from special voting deputies.
Photo ID enclosed with absentee ballots. Voters may be required to enclose another photocopy of their acceptable form of photo identification in the envelope containing their voted absentee ballot. We are waiting for the Government Accountability Board to provide some guidance on this requirement. There are exemptions for indefinitely confined voters on the permanent absentee list, military voters, voters who are permanently overseas, and voters in nursing homes who are receiving their ballots from special voting deputies.
Absentee voting in the Clerk’s Office ends the Friday before the election. The City of Madison has traditionally been open for voting the Saturday before each election, but will no longer be able to offer this service in order to comply with the new state law.
Voters without Photo Identification
Beginning in 2012, voters who do not present an acceptable form of photo identification will be given a provisional ballot. This ballot will not be counted unless the voter returns to the Clerk’s Office with acceptable photo identification by 4 p.m. the Friday after the election.
Straight Party Ticket
The voter photo identification law eliminates straight party voting for everyone but military voters and voters who are permanently overseas.
Voter Education
The Clerk’s Office will hold voter education sessions throughout the community to answer questions about these changes in state law. If you would like someone to speak to your group, please contact us at clerk@cityofmadison.com <mailto:clerk@cityofmadison.com> or 608-266-4601.
We ask that you help us spread the word about these new regulations. Our goal is for all eligible voters to be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.
Additional information from the Government Accountability Board http://gab.wi.gov/elections-voting/photo-id
Information from City of Madison website
---- end of the July 29, 2011 Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood e-News----
THANKS FOR READING
