Not me. You?
FEBRUARY WATER QUALITY REPORT
We all drink it and bathe in it, what’s in it? My guess is we should all be paying a little more attention to it. Well 24 isn’t looking too good on the manganese and iron . . . I think that’s where my water comes from these days . . .
EDGEWATER DEADLINE WHOOSHING PAST
My money is on yes. And, if they think they are going to hold the meeting about TIF on a Friday, with less than 72 hours notice to the public, they, meaning Mark Clear, are insane. That guy should be removed from council leadership if they even try anything like that. The biggest TIF award in the history of the city and they think they are going to just sneak it through. I think not. Interesting comments at the end of the blog post, I particularly liked this one:
No, actually that is the sound of Hammes’ 17 lobbyists rushing off to meet Bob Dunn’s private jet (which he’ll have to sell if the $16 million hand-out falls through — tough times).
STUDENTS SHOULD BE ESPECIALLY EMBARRASSED
39 votes in 6 wards yesterday? I wonder how many were even students?
STATE JOURNAL “ROUND UP” ON ELECTION RESULTS
They already did it, so I won’t.
NOW THE MAYOR LIKE THOSE CITIZEN COMMITTEES
The Mayor is throwing a fit over $23,000 that the county want to charge for parking calls to the 911 center. The Public Safety Communications Board voted to postpone the vote for another month and suddenly, the mayor loves those unelected committees. What amazes me is Joel Plant, the Mayor’s Aide has been knee deep in all these discussions and I wonder why they didn’t work this out earlier. I suspect it has something to do with the negotiations over the new radio system since several Supervisors didn’t feel bad at all about “sticking it to” Madison or Bruer’s yearning to have a 3-1-1 center, but who knows, this stuff isn’t exactly discussed in public in any meaningful kind of way.
DOZENS OR HUNDREDS>
Holding a Rally on a weekday in the winter in Wisconsin is a little risky. I didn’t go, got stuck at work. Tho I was excited when they said hundreds showed up. So why is the Cardinal reporting dozens? Any which way, the fact that people showed up is pretty amazing.
WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL (EDITORIALS) NEVER FAIL TO DISAPPOINT
Facts, people! Look at the facts! Instead of trumpeting the success of these city programs, they should be asking the tough questions that the Isthmus brought up. Were these savings just a slight of hand? Acoounting tricks? We should be able to count on what is left of our papers to be critical and probing, not cheerleading.
HALLOWEEN NOT SUCH A SUCCESS?
Was there a murder in the 2nd district? This happened on the block I live on so I’ve been watching the story unfold. I’m not a sensationalist, and I’m not afraid, but it’s very odd. I wasn’t home that night, have no personal knowledge, but it seems bizarre the way this is being handled so quietly and how no one mentions it happened on Halloween weekend.
MILWAUKEE SICK LEAVE DECISION TOMORROW
Court of Appeals should have a decision tomorrow.
I GUESS THEY REALLY DIDN’T NEED OUR TIF MONEY
I’m glad the city didn’t give it to them. It was the right decision, it didn’t meet the “but for” test. They didn’t need it.
AT&T AT IT AGAIN
Barry Orton breaks it down over at Paul Soglin’s blog.
GOOD NEWS! ON PAYDAY LOANS
As the blog promises, no scandals, just good news. Add that to the bill passing last night. Baby steps.
SCHOOL BOARD FORUM ON SUNDAY
Inform yourself! So you don’t get caught off guard like many did yesterday.
What: Public Forum featuring all candidates for Madison Board of Education.
When: Sunday February 21, 2010; 1:30 to 3:30 PM.
Where: JC Wright Middle School, 1717 Fish Hatchery Rd. Madison, WI.On Sunday, February 21, voters in the Madison Metropolitan School District will have their first opportunity to hear and question the School Board candidates on the ballot in the April 6 election. Unopposed incumbents Beth Moss and Maya Cole will begin with short statements on their service and why they are seeking re-election. Next the candidates for Seat 4, James Howard and Tom Farley, will answer questions from Progressive Dane and the audience. Madison District 12 Alder and member of the Board of Education – Common Council Liaison Committee Satya Rhodes-Conway will serve as the moderator.
Progressive Dane is hosting this event as a public service to increase awareness of this important election. “The seven people on the School Board are responsible for the education of about 24,000 students and an annual budget of roughly $400 million.” explained Progressive Dane Co-Chair and Education Task Force Chair Thomas J. Mertz. “We want people to know what is going on, choose their candidate wisely and get involved.
Candidates Tom Farley and James Howard welcome this opportunity to communicate with the voters.
Farley expects a substantive discussion; he is “looking forward to participating in the Progressive Dane forum. It will certainly be our most in-depth public discussion of the issues – and most likely the liveliest and most enjoyable one too.”
Howard expressed his appreciation for “this opportunity to talk to the voters about my record of service with public schools and my unique perspective that I will add to the Board of Education” and is also ready to discuss “how to maintain and strengthen Madison schools.”
Incumbents Cole and Moss are also pleased to take part. Cole said she is “happy to have this opportunity to meet with members of our community to discuss the work of the Board, to listen to their concerns and to share the opportunities we are embracing to make our district better for all children. Moss also appreciates the chance to share her thoughts on “the good work that is going on in the schools and some of the challenges we face.”
Progressive Dane is a progressive political party in Dane County, Wisconsin. Progressive Dane is working to make Dane County a better place for everyone (no exceptions!). Progressive Dane helps community members organize around issues that are important to them and also works on the grassroots level to elect progressive political candidates.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION ABOUT MMSD COMMUNICTIONS
You are invited to attend a Community Engagement Session where you can provide input about MMSD communications.
The Session is scheduled for:
Monday, February 22 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Marquette/O’Keeffe Schools’ Cafeteria, 1501 Jenifer St.
Best access is from playground (west) sideHosted by the Board of Education, the Engagement Session is an early step in the development of a communications plan aimed at ways to focus on positive branding of the MMSD school experience and to publicize the benefits of graduating from the MMSD.
The overall goal – from the school district’s new strategic plan — is to identify ways the MMSD can actively promote the benefits that all students derive from the challenging, respectful, inclusive education that Madison Schools provide.
The session is open to the public. Parents of MMSD students are particularly welcome.
After a short introductory presentation, attendees will break into smaller groups for discussion, followed by a brief report-out period. The session will be facilitated by Superintendent Dan Nerad and other district leaders.
A pdf of this invitation is here
