Progressive Dane - In The News Blog
What's Really Happening? Find out at PD monthly meeting on Wednesday, August 25th - 08/23
Progressive Dane's
General Membership Meeting
Madison's Downtown Public Library
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Kyle Richmond, Chair
1. Staff & Treasurer's Reports
2. Burning Issue: Zoning Code Re-write--Satya Rhodes-Conway
3. Educational Issue: Dane County Update--Kyle Richmond
4. Take Back the Land Statement--VOTE
5. Ben Manski is seeking Progressive Dane's endorsement in the District 77 Assembly race. Should the Elections Committee begin the process of considering an endorsement?--VOTE
6. City Ethics Update--Brenda Konkel
7. Announcements
BEER CAUCUS at Nick's afterwards
Interested individuals, regardless of membership status, are encouraged to come and participate in the discussions.
Talking Out Loud About Racial Justice - 07/19
The meeting of Progressive Dane's General Membership will be held in Middleton this month. We are pleased that Celia Jackson, acting chair of the Implementation Team of the Dane County Task Force on Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System, will be there to talk about the Task Force findings and the work to be done.
The Task Force report can be found at http://danedocs.countyofdane.com/webdocs/pdf/oeo/final_report.pdf
Interested individuals, regardless of membership status, are encouraged to come and participate in the discussions.
Progressive Dane's
General Membership Meeting Agenda
Middleton Fire District Building
7600 University Ave
Wednesday, July 28th
6:30 - 8:30
Chair – John Hendrick
Icebreaker & Introductions
Take Back the Land Statement (VOTE)
Staff Report & Announcements
Educational – County Budget
Burning Issue – Racial Justice, Celia Jackson
Other
Announcements
Beer Caucus Afterwards at Hody Bar & Grill
Next month this meeting will be held on August 25th in Monona at the Monona Community Center.
June Membership Meeting - 06/23
Progressive Dane General Membership Meeting
Madison Downtown Public Library
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Chairing: Aaron Crandall
Icebreaker & Introductions
Staff Report/Announcements
Educational - Fruits & Nuts
Burning Issue - Continuing Discussion on Immigration
County Report - Kyle Richmond
Other Issues/Topics - Take Back the Land Support - Vote
Announcements
PD Beer Caucus--immediately following at Nick's on State St.
A complete listing of all Progressive Dane meetings can be found on this site.
Individuals who are not members of Progressive Dane are very much encouraged to attend.
Progressive Dane Supports Strong Recommendations Against Discretionary Immigration Contacts - 05/28
The Police Chiefs of ten cities met with Attorney General Eric Holder last week about the effects the recent Arizona legislation will have on their ability to keep their communities safe.
As one put it, “When you enact legislation that makes any subset of that community feel like they are being targeted specifically, or have concerns about coming forward and talking to police, that damages our capability to obtain information to solve the crimes."
The Dane County Immigration Task Force has heard repeatedly that similar distrust of law enforcement is hampering policing in our area. This is due to Sheriff Dave Mahoney's policy of discretionary contacts to Federal immigration authorities concerning some individuals held in our jail.
Sheriff Mahoney has resisted efforts to change these practices.
On June 1, the Madison Common Council will consider a resolution on this issue; June 2, the Immigration Task Force will finalize their report. Progressive Dane supports this resolution and counsels the Task Force to make strong recommendations against discretionary immigration contacts.
At 6:30 on June 1, prior to the Common Council meeting supporters of change will rally at the City-County Building. We urge all community members who are concerned with safety and justice to attend and contact their representatives.
Jacque Pokorney & Thomas J. Mertz
Progressive Dane Co-Chairs
6/1 -- Call for Action, MMSD School Budget Hearing - 05/27
At the General membership Meeting last night PD voted support for the call for action below. Although the odds of great changes this school budget cycle are low, it is important that the voices of school supporters -- those who think that some of the $13 million slated for property tax relief be used to make out schools better -- be heard. As one person who testified earlier put it, the Board of Education needs to be reminded that they were elected to be the "guardians of the schools...not the guardians of the taxpayers."
Please join me Tuesday. The meeting begins at 5:00, so you can stop by on your way to the Immigration Rally.
Distribute Widely!
Madison School Budget Hearing
Call to Action
June 1, 2010, 5:00 PM
Doyle Administration Building Auditorium
Posted by prodane on May 27, 2010 Permalink
$16 Million TIF for Edgewater...Is the Public Getting a Fair Deal? - 05/18
Progressive Dane would say NO that the public is not getting a fair deal.
Primarily, there has been the lack of public input and process during this entire ordeal with many concerns about what has happened to our city process, but that would fill another page or two.
The biggest issue now is regarding the $16 million of TIF being “required” to complete this project. Hammes Co. has said the project cannot be done without $16 million of Madison taxpayer money. Bob Dunn has given testimony about the benefit of the public space with access to the water and associated parking as the public benefit for this taxpayer money.
Posted by prodane on May 18, 2010 Permalink
Immigration Task Force Public Comment, May 13, 2010 - 05/13
Thursday, May 13, 6:30-8:30 in Room 210 of the City County Building, 210 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. The Dane County Immigration Task Force will be hearing public comment prior to finalizing their draft report.
Led by Student Progressive Dane, PD has been part of the long effort to change the Sheriff Dave Mahoney's damaging practice of unnecessarily involving Federal immigration authorities in the cases of those held in the Dane County Jail. This practice has torn apart families and created distrust of law enforcement in our immigrant communities.
This is you chance to again make your voice heard. Strong recommendations from the Task Force may prompt change.
The meeting agenda is here and you can find the draft report here.
It's Time to Renew Your Membership - 05/11
The month of April was Progressive Dane’s renewal month and we are still waiting for some to send in their membership forms. Please take this opportunity to renew your membership by using the on-line renewal http://www.prodane.org/get_involved/become_member/ or by returning your hard copy renewal form. PD is not complete without you! If you have already renewed your membership, please disregard this friendly reminder.
If you are not already member, now is also a good time to join. Membership includes voting rights at all membership, committee, and task force meetings, a discussion listserv, a newsletter, up-to-date information on upcoming events that matters to you, and the knowledge that your contributions are helping to make Dane County a better place for everyone, no exceptions.
Progressive Dane to Examine Ethics in Government - 04/26
Progressive Dane General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Madison Downtown Public Library
Chairing: Michael Johnson
Agenda
Treasurer's Report
Greyhound Bus Issues
Elections Debrief
Financial Reporting
Governmental Ethics
Elections of Additional Steering Committee Members (VOTE)
May Day Rally (VOTE)
Other
Announcements
PD Beer Caucus--immediately following at Nick's
Individuals who are not members of Progressive Dane are very much encouraged to attend.
A complete listing of all Progressive Dane meetings can be found at www.prodane.org.
Anyone with questions or special needs should contact the Progressive Dane office at 358-2940 or office@prodane.org.
Press are encouraged to contact Progressive Dane Co-chair Jacque Pokorney at 843-9616 or juju_jacque@yahoo.com.
Almost a Sweep - 04/07
In yesterday's election, 5 of 6 Progressive Dane endorsed candidates were victorious. In a contested election, District 27 County Supervisor Kyle Richmond beat a well-funded challenger by an over 2 to 1 margin. County Board incumbents Barb Vedder, Al Matano and John Hendrick were unopposed. Also without a challenger, Madison Board of Education incumbent Beth Moss was returned for a second term.
In a very low turnout County District 5 contest, Michael Johnson lost to Analiese Eicher.
A big thank you to Johnson and all the candidates for their work and willingness to serve and to those PD members who volunteered with the campaigns.
Elections are just the start. With on going land use and urban agriculture, public safety and the Task Force on Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System, issues with the sheriff and ICE and immigration, as well as many other issues along with another difficult budget, our County Supervisors will need your help and support. Look for alerts and opportunities in the coming weeks and months.
Next April, the entire Madison Common Council, the Madison Mayoralty and 2 School Board seats will be on the ballot. It is never too early to think about running for office. If you don't run you can't win. Contact Lukas Diaz, PD elections Chair to learn more.
For a a more detailed wrap up, see Brenda Konkel's blog post; for the full results, visit the County Clerk.