P.O. Box 1222, Madison, WI 53701 | www.prodane.org | office@prodane.org | (608) 257-4985
April’s elections were mixed for Progressive Dane.
We retained Alders Marsha Rummel, Satya Rhodes-Conway, and Mike Verveer who all ran unopposed.
President Arlene Silveira, who did had an opponent, also retained her seat on the Madison Metropolitan School Board.
Progressive Dane would like to thank Arnold Harris for running in the Town of Cross Plains and seeking our endorsement. He ran a spirited race and came up a little bit short for a seat on the Town Board.
Of course, the closest race, and the one we put the most energy into, was to retain Brenda Konkel on the Madison Common Council. We lost that one, 962 votes to 900.
Notwithstanding Scott Milfred’s genteel gloating in the Wisconsin State Journal about how positivism would now replace conflict, it was Brenda who ran the positive campaign in this race. She concentrated on the issues facing District 2 and the city, offered solutions, and recounted how she’d been working for those solutions in her eight years on the Council.
Her opponent, Alder Bridget Maniaci, took advantage of years of attacks on Brenda, largely by the State Journal. Maniaci had little to say about issues, and in the end was correct in believing that attacking Brenda’s “style” would be enough. May she be a better Alder than her campaign suggested she’d be.
Brenda will not disappear. She’ll have more time, as she said, “to do the things I love to do.” As Executive Director of the Tenant Resource Center, she’ll be busy, as she likes to be.
Progressive Dane, and Madison, owe Brenda Konkel a huge debt of gratitude for her years of unstinting, selfless work in city government.
Posted by prodane at 09:50 PM
Progressive Dane's General Membership Meeting will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2009, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of Madison's Downtown Public Library.
Kyle Szarzynski, Chairing
Guest Speaker - Alex Gillis on the May Day Rally
At last months meeting we voted to endorse the Rally, but didn't have much time to talk about the event or issues. On Wednesday, April 22nd, we will have a conversation about the issues being raised at the May Day Rally. To view those issues go to www.maydayinmadison.org.
The continuing discussion of Progressive Dane 2009 Priorities and Plan of Action will focus on transportation.
And as always staff, alders, supervisors, and/or school board members will brief us on activities and other important issues needing support and action.
Posted by prodane at 09:38 PM
As in any election, your vote matters! This spring is no exception. Those who would ask you to make our little corner of the world into a place where we all just go along to get along must have some serious group think death wish.
Broad based discussion and dialogue better inform any conversation. It is important to hear and value all voices before moving forward on any issue. It is also important to examine all the information available and wait for studies to be concluded before making any decision.
In the recent past, we’ve heard in essence, “Trust me, I know what is best for you,” but that is not how this little corner of the world became the great place that it is for many. It is not going to be how it becomes a great place for everyone.
We need strong voices to stand up to those who tell us to be quiet and sit down. We need progressive voices to lead us into a new way of being on this earth. We need everyone to participate in the conversations that will make a difference in how well people are able to live their lives in Madison and Dane County.
Click on the Endorsed Candidates link to learn more about several of the candidates running for office. More information can be found at http://www.danenet.org/lwvdc/answers.html.
Vote today, Tuesday, April 7th, then join or renew your membership in Progressive Dane, and get involved to make Dane County a place where everyone succeeds.
Posted by prodane at 05:50 AM