If you only read one local news story this week, it should be this piece [1] about addressing issues of diversity amongst city employees.
Education
The cost of creating bus routes is preventing a later start time [2] for city middle schools. Most parents wouldn’t object to a later start [3]. Madison resident Gloria Ladson-Billings [4] is the new president of the National Academy of Education. Teachers and parents are still divided over new [5] Personalized Pathways program. A new after-school program offers free piano lessons [6] for elementary school students.
Local Government
Two MPD officers face discipline [7] for off-color remarks on social media. Mayor Soglin highlights Madison’s economic and community success [8] using Sean Duffy’s “communist” remarks. Soglin also said that calling Duffy a moron and a charlatan was part of a strategy [9] to escalate discussions about economic development. A revised version of the new panhandling ordinance applies primarily to spaces [10] where safety issues exist. The city council approved $1.57 million for a new homeless housing project [11]. Soglin plans on seeking up to $6 million in state funds [12] for the public market.
Community
Here’s how [13] to avoid a parking ticket during a snow emergency. Record snowfall has skiers excited for a long winter of outdoor fun [14]. BKM Group proposes a biergarten in Olbrich Park [15], promising an communal and authentic experience. Imagine Madison’s public listening campaign seeks voices of city residents [16] to create a plan for the city’s future. A one-day-only pop-up art event drew a large crowd [17] to an otherwise vacant municipal building. A plan to downsize a mixed-use development [18] of a prominent South Side space is being met with opposition. Black Sheep Bazaar offers alternatives [19] to cookie cutter holiday gifts.
Welcome to the Madison Commons, a website designed to provide news and information about all of Madison's neighborhoods and a crossroads for the discussion of community issues. The name comes from the idea of a village commons, a place for news, talk, debate, and some entertainment, too, that's open to everyone.
All rights reserved. Read more about the Madison Commons and its partners.
Links:
[1] http://isthmus.com/news/news/soglin-and-cheeks-spar-over-how-to-improve-climate-for-city-employees/
[2] http://isthmus.com/news/news/kids-need-sleep-but-it-will-cost-madison-a-lot-to-delay-middle-school-bells/
[3] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/survey-most-would-not-object-to-starting-madison-middle-schools/article_9f879b86-00e5-5301-97c9-5afb47f593af.html
[4] http://madison365.com/gloria-ladson-billings-elected-president-national-academy-education/
[5] http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/education/for-madison-parents-and-teachers-opinions-split-on-personalized-pathways/article_1e744276-ca00-55e9-81f0-cf52120b8ffc.html
[6] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/education/local_schools/students-tickle-the-ivories-at-new-mscr-after-school-program/article_3991bca3-60b6-5c73-8cd6-241c550cae3d.html
[7] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime-and-courts/two-madison-officers-disciplined-for-posting-off-color-remarks-on/article_62ff62d2-f47b-5a0b-998f-393d0151bc14.html
[8] http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/paul-soglin-uses-sean-duffy-s-communist-remark-to-highlight/article_accecb49-e67a-5170-acd7-2402e952fb89.html
[9] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/paul-soglin-name-calling-part-of-strategy-to-escalate-economic/article_ebd34cfa-097b-594d-b7fb-635baf3fcde9.html
[10] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/revised-panhandling-ordinance-gains-momentum/article_4a169d15-7959-5514-85b8-aaa3e8008b38.html
[11] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/madison-city-council-approves-million-for-homeless-housing-project/article_2d1d014a-b83b-5a0d-8980-2df75981571f.html
[12] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/paul-soglin---m-in-state-funds-ideal-for/article_d8e77d70-c9fd-5061-ba03-8b5d0d814061.html
[13] http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/here-s-how-to-avoid-a-parking-ticket-during-a/article_557fb3e0-b7a3-516d-8b16-cc7115ad3c24.html
[14] http://www.channel3000.com/madison-magazine/opinions/early-snow-brings-hope-for-ski-season/42726788
[15] http://isthmus.com/food-drink/beer/neighborhood-meeting-to-address-olbrich-biergarten-concerns/
[16] http://madison365.com/imagine-madison-looking-peoples-perspectives-plan-madisons-future/
[17] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/one-day-art-extravaganza-draws-thousands-to-vacant-municipal-building/article_4f0a4ed0-44d4-54a5-867d-cd92b7f824d1.html
[18] http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-council-member-staff-oppose-downsizing-redevelopment-at-prominent-south/article_f4214fe2-a12f-5115-a2d4-a3b7000c906b.html
[19] http://host.madison.com/wsj/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/black-sheep-bazaar-changes-up-holiday-gift-giving/article_b5ed28c2-7616-5d5f-9889-db9a6ebd433b.html