I have a separate Edgewater Round Up for this morning, cuz this got long and well, some people just can’t stand to hear about it any more, and I don’t blame them. In other news, I’m not happy with the mainstream media this morning . . . I know they all had their staff cut, but they still should be paying better attention. I do this part time, for free and am not an expert in County Board and School Board issues and still, I think I am paying more attention than they are.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS COUNTY BOARD
Budget, redistricting . . . a few other issues. What cracks me up about this article is this:
A few months back, the county quietly passed a program that lets rural property owners sell development rights to developers, meaning the owners get money for agreeing not to develop. In exchange, developers win the ability to build more densely in population centers.
The only reason it was “quietly” done is because the press didn’t cover it. I did blog it at the time.
I EXPECT THIS FROM THE STATE JOURNAL, NOT THE CAP TIMES
This is bullshit. Maybe not the editorial board’s fault because they are relying on this story, which is bullshit. As I said, this was the worst kept “secret” in town in that they discussed they were going to do it in a public meeting and then the school board president tallied them and the board members got the results at a public meeting and discussed them at a public meeting. Then, immediately after the public meeting, gave copies of them to members of the public who requested them and emailed them to others the next day. The only flaw was that the administration didn’t get them on the website right away. The school board didn’t do this one in secret, maybe the media just wasn’t paying close enough attention. There are many, many flaws in the school budget process, including lack of good information for the public and school board members. But this, this “crisis” is media created and misdirected. To top it all off, the actual votes that they took aren’t the same as the straw poll votes.
SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET
So, they need to make decisions by May 3 or 4 in order to tell people who will get laid off. But, after that they will have the following hearings:
– May 17 Hearing
– June 1, Statutorily Required Hearing and Vote.
And then the final budget is not done until October. It’s an odd process, which I think is confusing and hard to follow. Staying true to the pattern, the School Board’s website is useless. And wrong. I really wish the website was better maintained and more real time.
TEACHER PAY FREEZE
At least it’s not a 3% cut.
GREAT STORY ON SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTER MURAL
Ok, I’ll give the press a little love this morning. The panels describing the mural went up yesterday, the dedication will be May 7th from 5 – 9 on gallery night. Read the article to find out all about Sharon Kilfoy’s mural and the story behind it. Stop by our event, we have a permit to block off the street and will have music and food and fun! Peter and Lou Berryman, Kronic Jones and Harmony of Spheres will be playing. There will be a light and video show from WYOU, it’s Art Gallery Night and we’re featuring posters from the 70s from Sharon Kilfoy in our art gallery. Tammy Baldwin is going to try to make it to the Mural dedication as she was there when we opened the building and we are celebrating our 10th anniversary on the 13th at Olbrich Gardens. Yay! And they said the Social Justice Center couldn’t be done. And we did it without any government money! Let’s hear is for scrappy little non-profits who don’t understand the word “no” and Nan and David Cheney who we could not have done it without!
ROB’S LINK
From train to plane. And no, he’s not talking about where to put the high speed rail station.
PARTY TIPS FOR MIFFLIN
This articles always crack me up, but as a former criminal defense attorney, this one line bothers me, especially when telling it to young people . . .
If officers do happen to intervene in any escapades, be nice and be honest because both obstructing a police officer and disorderly conduct can cost up to $429.
Well, don’t forget the “right to remain silent” as well.
UW-PLATTEVILLE WANTS YOU TO BRING YOUR GUNS TO CAMPUS
I’m a 1990 graduate from UW Platteville – I received a degree in criminal justice and a minor in english – yeah, my teachers would probably go stark raving mad if they read my blog!. I was also an R.A. in the dorms. I suppose if the guns are going to be there, its responsible to have a plan, but somehow, I don’t think this is something to be encouraged, how much time to students have to go hunting?
CITY SAVES THE FIRE WORKS
In an age where the city is moving to charge more for services, it seems odd that we just gave in and sent staff to straighten it all out. I wonder what this means for what the Rhythm and Booms folks will now ask for? Or, are we charging Woodman’s and making money?
I’m also surprised the Woodman’s folks are so thin skinned and if they don’t like what Sly said, why bring it up again and remind the public about it? And, I agree with Morrisey, Woodman’s doesn’t have the right to control what Sly says. Chris Murphy asks a good question. Remember, at the bottom of all of this, is Woodman’s end of their mental health coverage, they are hardly the heroes here.
NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP
I just found out about this yesterday, not much time to plan to help out, but if you’re in the neighborhood and free tomorrow . . .
Dear Neighbor,
You’re invited to a Neighborhood Clean-Up Day, this Saturday, May 1, from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.! The clean-up will be conducted by neighborhood residents and East High School students. If you’d like to participate, please meet on the corner of E. Mifflin and N. Franklin Streets at 1:00 p.m. Trash and recycling bags will be provided. If you have a rake, please bring it along. You may also want to bring some gloves.
Please contact me with any questions. I look forward to seeing you on Saturday!
Bridget Maniaci
WATER UTILITY OPEN HOUSE
I know many of my readers care about water issues, so this may be of interest:
Water Utility to Hold Open House May 8
To Celebrate National Drinking Water WeekMadison—The public is invited to the Madison Water Utility’s open house on Saturday, May 8, at the utility’s administration building, 119 East Olin Avenue. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on that day, utility representatives will be giving tours and highlighting the ways that they pump, test, disinfect, and distribute this precious natural resource to every resident of the city.
NATURE WALK AT WARNER PARK
Your chance to see the geese up front and personal.
Saturday, May 1, 8:30 am
Meet at Warner Park Shelter (colored tin cans)Nature Walk, led by Trish O’Kane, naturalist from UW-MAdison
TAKE BACK THE LAND
OPERATION WELCOME HOME invites you to join us in solidarity as we take back the land in our communities!
In the midst of the current housing crisis, Operation Welcome Home is joining the national movement of Take Back the Land to assert housing as a human right. Come learn more about this national effort and how Madison can take action to house people and prevent evictions.
Let’s put an end to the destruction of our neighborhoods and ensure that local communities have control over land and housing!
TAKE BACK THE LAND!
INFORMATIONAL AND PLANNING MEETING*
MONDAY, MAY 3 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Social Justice Center (1202 Williamson St.)*This meeting is a follow-up to our April 6 informational meeting and will include further details on supporting our May Take Back the Land actions, as well as updates for first-time attendees.
JAMES C. WRIGHT HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
Madison Department of Civil Rights REV. JAMES C. WRIGHT HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD The Madison Department of Civil Rights (DCR) is seeking nominations of individuals who have served the Madison community in the area of civil rights for the Annual James C. Wright Award. The Award is presented annually at our Summer Diversity Picnic, which will be held on July 29, 2010. Individuals should share Rev. Wright’s dedication to and compassion for civil and human rights and conduct their daily life consistent with these values. The nomination deadline is July 2, 2010. Members of the Department of Civil Rights, its staff and/or volunteers will not be eligible to receive the award.
Please contact Annie Weatherby-Flowers at the Equal Opportunities Division of the Department of Civil Rights at 608.266.6577 or aweatherbyflowers@cityofmadison.com with questions or other requests for information.
