City Life

Residents of East, North Side Express Concern Over F35s at Truax Field

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Discourse surrounding the possibility of basing F-35 fighter jets at Truax Field has been looming for over a year, but an eight-hour-long city council meeting held last Tuesday indicates that the issue is not fading away any time soon. 

A group of community members have actively disapproved the prospect of welcoming a 20-plane fleet to Madison’s Northeast side — primarily due to noise concerns, anticipated environmental impact, and an anti-military philosophy — and are requesting greater transparency and research for the official environmental impact statement. A resolution sponsored by Alders Grant Foster, Rebbeca Kemble, Marsha Rummel, Patrick Heck, Tag Evers, and Syed Abba requests that the Air National Guard reconsider Truax as a preferred location for the jets. The resolution passed on a 16-3 vote after another resolution more forcefully opposed to the F-35s failed.

City Life

September 2019 Backyard Heroes

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Community Shares, a partner of Madison Commons, recognizes two volunteers each month. The volunteers come from Community Shares' member groups and are selected for their service to the community and to community issues. Mary Reames - Sierra Club Foundation-John Muir Chapter

Mary Reames jumped into her role as a volunteer with both feet. She was one of the main coordinators of the 2017 People’s Climate March in Madison which involved dozens of volunteers and thousands of participants. Mary is a very people-oriented leader who brings a positive and welcoming quality to all the projects she is involved in and she embodies the spirit of the Sierra Club by connecting and activating people to Explore, Enjoy and Protect Wisconsin’s environment.

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, September 15, 2019

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Madison and Dane County
Madison leaders weigh how to avoid homelessness, housing, traffic problems of Seattle, Logan Wroge, Wisconsin State Journal, September 15. Madison receives highest bond rating but with negative outlook, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, September 13. Air Force meeting draws boosters, foes, and questions about F-35s, Logan Wroge, WSJ, September 13; Council members draft resolution asking Air Force to reconsider locating F-35s in Madison, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, September 12; F-35 stirs strong reaction in Madison, Ruth Conniff, Wisconsin Examiner, September 13; What happens if Truax Field doesn't get the F-35? Mitchell Schmidt, WSJ, September 13; More than 500 homes near airport likely not eligible for soundproofing, city says, Emily Hamer, WSJ, September 11. Report from investigation into Dane County jail construction to remain confidential for now, Abigail Becker, CT, September 12.

City Life

Reach Dane Celebrates 50 Years

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Fifty years ago, on July 7, 1969 the Dane County Parent Council broke off and became their own independent nonprofit. This year, Reach Dane, an organization providing early childhood care to low income families, celebrates 50 years. 

Over the past five decades, the organization has grown, today serving 1,000 children at 18 locations. Staff balance $17 million in donations and grants to provide holistic care for the children and the families they serve. The nonprofit has had major milestones and they hope to continue to improve in the future. 

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, September 8, 2019

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UPDATED: Budget hearings this week:

Budget time: Madison and Dane County begin hearings on 2020 budgets, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, September 9. Madison and Dane County

Housing and Buses: Rhodes-Conway releases 2020 capital budget proposal, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, September 3; Mayor Satya-Rhodes Conway prioritizes Metro Transit, housing, in first capital budget, Dean Mosiman, Wisconsin State Journal, September 4;

Despite additional efforts, winter is likely to be what reduces bad behavior downtown, Chris Rickert, WSJ, September 8. City unveils detailed public market plans, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, September 6. Truax Field to lose $8 million for border wall, Mitchell Schmidt, WSJ, September 5. Community

Henry Vilas Zoo accreditation will continue, Ed Trelevan, WSJ, September 7.

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, September 1, 2019

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Madison and Dane County

Dane County, Madison partner to bring water treatment systems to five city beaches, August 30; Sheila Stubbs pushes deadline for Dane County departments to submit equity plans, August 29; Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway appoints fifth deputy mayor, August 27, Abigail Becker, Capital Times. Madison and Dane County considering new park access for dogs, Shelley K. Mesch, Wisconsin State Journal, September 1. Community

White flag overdose awareness ceremony brings hundreds to Olbrich Park to remember loved ones lost, Jamie Perez, Channel3000, August 31. Chabad of Madison to celebrate new Torah scroll, Shelley K. Mesch, WSJ, August 30. Education

Madison schools expand 24-hour monitoring of district-issued laptops for bullying, self-harm, Logan Wroge, WSJ, September 1.

City Life

Madison Commons Media Digest, August 25, 2019

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Madison and Dane County

Independent Madison police monitor could launch investigations, but lack the final say, Chris Rickert, Wisconsin State Journal, August 25. Research group suggests changes in criminal court processing to reduce Dane County Jail population, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, August 24. Edgewood College alleges religious discrimination in lawsuit against Madison over use of athletic field, Abigail Becker, CT, August 22; Edgewood offered to 'coordinate messaging' on lawsuit with mayor, Judith Davidoff, Isthmus, August 22. Overlooked: Former Dane County staff attorneys frustrated with working conditions, Abigail Becker, CT, August 19. Community

Madison365's Sí Se Puede 2019: Wisconsin's most powerful Latinos, Henry Sanders, August 24.

City Life

The Kit Man: Kevin “K-Dog” Harter Keeps Forward Madison Ready to Win

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 Kevin Harter has been in the locker room for a few hours already when I meet him in the cramped space under the stone grandstand at Breese Stevens Field. Still, he’s behind his usual schedule -- the Forward Madison FC equipment manager usually has the locker room prepped the night before home matches.