I Didn’t Blow Off the Chamber of Commerce

Since the Chamber of Commerce didn’t want to acknowledge that I filled out the questionnaire and turned it in, I thought I’d post my answers here . . . since I took the time. I did submit it electronically so it didn’t have a signature, and I didn’t answer the last question, but I did send it in. I didn’t blow them off. The only group I’ve blown off was DCPAC!(And, for what its worth, I didn’t blow off the Realtors – see Phil’s email below. They just didn’t conduct their own process apparently.)

CANDIDATE PROFILE
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name: Brenda K. Konkel
Email: brendakonkel@gmail.com Phone: 345-8720
Current Address: 511 E Mifflin St but moving in February to 30 N Hancock St.
City: Madison State: WI ZIP Code: 53703
Aldermanic District: 2 Years of Residence in District: 18
Madison Native? Yes No Kinda? If not, where did you grow up: Madison, Waunakee, Wis. Dells, Saukville, Portage
SIGNATURES
I authorize the verification of the information provided on this form, and I have received a copy of this profile. I authorize any public distribution of this information.
Signature of candidate: Date: 1/20/2009

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Please limit your answers to the space provided below.

EDUCATION
Name of Technical School, College, or University: UW-Platteville, UW-Madison Law School
Years Attended: 4, 3 Degree Achieved: B.A. Crim Justice, J.D. Law Degree
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Current Employer: Tenant Resource Center
Current Job Title: Executive Director How Long? 13.5
If less than 2 years, immediate past employer:
Immediate Past Job Title: How Long?

1. Why are you seeking this office?

I’m seeking my fifth term as 2nd District Alderperson to continue the work that I have begun. This work includes a transportation plan for the Isthmus, resolution of the properties in James Madison Park and continued improvements to 2nd district parks. I also believe that with this relatively new council, we can’t lose much more experience. It also allows me to continue working on affordable housing, transportation and childcare issues.

2. What in your background or experiences qualifies you to understand the unique needs facing small businesses?

With 13.5 years experience running the day-to-day operations of the Tenant Resource Center I am familiar hiring, training, retaining and sometimes firing staff and managing cash flow in order to pay the bills and meet payroll. I’ve been forced to be innovative in finding new ways to produce revenue (sell books, teach seminars, etc.) and am familiar with the realistic impact of this recent economic recession on our local community.

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
State your position on the following issues. Please limit answers to space provided below.

1. What are the most important issues the businesses in your district face?
On East Johnson Street: Parking and the future reconstruction of East Johnson Street plus the impact of the economy on spending habits. Some issues w/ attracting businesses that are able to stay open. On East Washington: Some are still recovering from the reconstruction and balancing growth and supporting the businesses that are already there.

2. How do you define economic development?
Creating and retaining living wage paying jobs preferably with opportunities for career advancement. And making sure that workers have the tools to make them successful employees: affordable, reliable, convenient mass transit options, housing they can afford with their wages, affordable, accessible quality childcare.

3. How will you notify businesses in your district about issues that arise that may have an impact on them?
For East Washington I had council staff develop a list property owners and businesses in the corridor from several different department sources. Community meetings and postcards would be used for large issues. I also encourage businesses to join neighborhood listserves I maintain, inform people via my blog and maintain contact with various owners.

4. Do you believe it is appropriate for the City of Madison to place regulations on businesses within its borders even if businesses in neighboring municipalities do not face the same restrictions? Why or Why not?
It depends, you have to weigh the public benefit and impact on businesses and the community. And, you have to weigh the perceived impact with the facts that we have available to us.

5. What initiatives or strategies recommended in the recently accepted 3-5 year Economic Development Plan would you pursue immediate implementation of?
My full comments and reasoning can be found here: http://brendakonkel.blogspot.com/2008/08/hmmm-something-wrong-here.html
Given financial constraints, here’s what I think we should be working on: Revise DPCED mission statement (1. 1.a.), Capitalize on systematic retention and expansion contacts. (2. 2.a.), Establish a Small Business Solutions OBR team. (2. 3.a.), Continue to support and work with small business contacts. (2. 3.c.), Monitor Kaufman impacts (2. 3.d.), Continue to work with existing business/business owners in employment centers. (3. 1.a.), Encourage the formation of Neighborhood BIDs. (4. 6.a.)

6. Do you support the use of Tax Incremental Financing as an economic development tool? If so, under what conditions should these funds be used?
Yes, I do support the use of TIF as an economic development tool – particularly for job creation and would like to see less focus on high end housing. However, I also believe that TIF should be driven by City goals and objectives that are clearly identified to the public. Will consider Pay-As-You-Go financing if necessary.

7. What strategies do you support to improve our transportation infrastructure? Under what parameters would you support creation of a regional transportation authority?
Create a downtown transportation plan, keep bus fares low to increase ridership and get the small business bus pass pool up and operational. I support a regional transportation authority but will keep a close eye on the governing structure to make sure that Madison has a major impact on the operations and that it is held accountable.

8. If offered a GMCC endorsement, would you accept it? Yes____ No____¬_

While I’m at it – here’s what I sent to the Realtors:

from Brenda Konkel
to Phil Salkin date Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 6:03 AM
subject Realtors

Phil – While I’m glad to hear GAC will not get involved in the D2 race, when and if it does, I hope you base your involvement on questions from the Realtors, not the Dane County Public Affairs Council – while I did not respond to them, I would respond to the Realtors.
Brenda

Dear GAC Members:

At the last meeting I was charged with contacting candidates in the 2nd District aldermanic race. For the present, the GAC does not wish to get involved in that race.

Through my position as the board member for the Dane County Public Affairs Council, I was able to participate in the interview of three of the candidates. As I also wrote the interview questions, I was able to include a few that broadly covered some issues of importance to our Association. The results were as follows:

Brenda Konkel – did not respond

Dennis DeNure – send a few email comments

Adam Walsh – Walsh gave one of the best interviews I have been privileged to hear in years. This young attorney was sharp and demonstrated a knowledge on a broad range of topics and an ability to convey ideas and positions in a succinct manner. If elected, he would not be in anyone’s pocket, but he would be willing to work with us. He was unanimously endorsed by the DCPAC.

Bridget Maniaci – Ms. Maniaci was an intern for Mayor Dave. She is a bright young person, but lacks a broad perspective on the issues. She did articulate the need for an alder to address district concerns well.

Sherman Hackbarth – a young attorney – not ready for prime time – his heart is in the right place. Should he win, it would still be a big improvement.

Phil

And Phil’s response to my email:

from Salkin, Phil – Governmental Affairs Director to Brenda Konkel
date Tue, Feb 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM
subject RE: Realtors

Brenda – If we opt to get involved in the District 2, we will not be using the DCPAC questions, with the exception of the general, “What are your priorities, etc.”. We have interviewed for several of the races using questions that focus on REALTORS issues.

Phil