Posts
Post your random Monona-related question. All questions accepted, many answered, some answered accurately, satisfactory answers possible.
(Those of you who are still paying attention may notice that limiting the questions to Monona makes them non-random. I will be the final judge of randomness.)
Hi Doug, is it true that Hickory Lane is being deconstructed on-site by a small time contractor who is now being told he cannot deconstruct the homes in the open? Rumor is that he has started taking homes apart on site and now the DNR is saying that the soils are being contaminated? Just heard this today and it made me wonder...will the city of Monona end up with contaminated land that will need to sit unoccupied?
ReplyDeleteIf the soil is contaminated, with asbestos and other chemicals from the homes, I researched and found that if 5 ft of the soil is removed, it may be salvageable. Now, according the reports of the land, there is only 7-8 ft of soil above a water table.
Is the council or administration of Monona aware of this small time contractor being questioned by the DNR? Again, this is only a rumor, but, I'll dig (no pun intended) until I find an answer.
Still curious too how the land owner can claim that she contacted all residents of homes remaining, 27 as of October, when I know of many who have not been. Therefore, she did not legally notify homeowners of "abandoned homes", which, we were always told they would never be considered.
Oh, and the landowner fired her attorney too, apparantly it was too expensive and cost her thousands of dollars to just talk to the city council, which she stated to one person, she could have done herself.
Thank you in advance for your thoughts. Much luck with the current mess and the disaster that is sure to come. This has been a 3 year unnatural disaster.
Again, wish it had been given to Monona to make into an extension of Lottes Park. That would have been a legacy to leave to the community it was a part of.
Happy Holidays ;-)
What are the rules about plowing our streets-how many inches before the plows hit the streets-just wondering.
ReplyDeleteHenny Penny
Founder Chickens for Change
HP,
ReplyDeleteThe new rule is no parking within 12 hours after it snows 2". There is an announcement on the city's home page.
"no parking rule automatically starts any time it snows 2 inches or more. Vehicles may not park on any street within 12 hours after a snow fall of 2 inches or more."
Not very random. Sorry.
ReplyDeleteWhere has data suggested we have problems with speeding? It sounded like the PD stopped a problem on Midmoor. Where is the next "target?"
The PD gathers speed data with the hoses and deploys accordingly.
ReplyDeleteA 'problem' with speeding is in the eye of the driver, I suppose.
They don't tell me where they are doing speed enforcement ahead of time. I would venture to guess it will be on the busier streets, but don't know.
Well, When I ask a random question we usually end up in an argument and it is the season.
ReplyDeleteI will experiment-
Doug, why don't we have districts in Monona for alderperson and have we ever had them? It seems to me the lack of districts enables candidates to run that have strong ties to a position that might be in a minority with a district. Further, it enables this vote for one stuff that has always bothered me because the voter is disenfranchising themselves.
I know the argument is usually Monona is not bound by East, West, North and South problems, but this argument is weak....imho.
Henny Penny
Found Chickens for Change
When will the controversy around the smoke park be taken care of by the city or do we just wait till it turns into a another garden circle?
ReplyDeleteThe Parks Board decided not to restrict smoking in public parks months ago.
ReplyDeleteWhat controversy? And how would a skate park turn into 'another garden circle'?
Why do you insist on using the pejorative 'smoke park'? You are stereotyping all the kids who skate there as smokers when in fact it is only a minority who smoke.
Aldermanic districts. We have never had them. There is probably more on why in Dorothy Haines excellent history, and I will look later.
ReplyDeleteThere are positives and negatives to each way - districts or at-large.
As far as 'voting for one', that is up to the individual voter. It does not disenfranchise anyone. My advice is only vote for candidates that you actually want to serve. Withholding a vote from candidates that you do not want is a statement of your position and increases the value of the vote you do cast.
If Bob, Chad, and I all run for reelection I personally will vote for all three this time.
Also we don't get that many candidates to run as it is. If we had to get candidates from each district we would have fewer contested races. For example, under at-large seats, if four people run, then all four are in a contested race and have to make their case to the voters.
Under a district system, you would have one two-person contested race and two uncontested walkovers.
I think maybe I agree with Chicken Little. Or at least I think its worth discussing. Just seems we it's possible to have a lot of council/mayoral power concentrated in a small area of the city, and that therefore a lot of attention gets paid to certain areas. I wonder if maybe people would feel better represented if they know a particular council member is "their" person. There would also be more incentive, I think, to dump an ineffective person if that person is "your" guy or gal. Right now, I think people get a pass because we figure we've got a few others who are good. know what I mean? I dunno. I can see your argument that it's hard enough to find people who can think and chew gum at the same time to run and if we restrict it even more, then will we have enough people who want to serve? What do other cities our size do?
ReplyDeleteI know what you are saying Doug and understand it. Yet, if we had a commission style of city government or districts-I think the debates would look a lot different-not that their bad now.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the cost to run would be lower.
Henny Penny
Founder Chickens for Change
> Along with the development of FM radio for Monona I hope the PEG vision will be adapted to internet streaming. The need for civic affairs broadcasting is essential for good community understanding. Radio and streaming will offer choices to those of us who cannot afford cable, especially the added digital bundling requiring extra equipment.
ReplyDelete> But, I would hope the Cable Committee will pressure Uverse to develop alternative broadcasting to the monopoly that Charter presently has for PEG services to Monona. The present telecom bill does not provide for alternative broadband facilities for local communities and stifles any competition to lower costs and offer choices to municipalities and individual subscribers.
> Please work to increase choices which reflects the needs of individual citizens...FM radio, internet streaming and broadband choices from marketing firms.
>
>
"You are stereotyping all the kids who skate there as smokers when in fact it is only a minority who smoke"
ReplyDeleteOK, that is total horse feathers.
A smoking section in the restuar. means all people smoke?
No, I call it that because it is a public nuisance for people who pass by their, smoking is NOT the type of environment I want my kids to be around, and because we have children that are there whose parents need to call the police to baby sit folks from the whole east side who are causing problems-
Who do you apologize for problems that are plain view of the rest of us?
Like I say there are pluses and minuses to both ways. You could do a mix of at-large and districts. Not sure what the break down is.
ReplyDeleteDorothy Haines book The Making of Monona has a good discussion of the issue on pages 73-75. When the village began to create the city in 1966 the village board insisted on having at-large alders. The whole thing went to the state supreme court. It would require a charter ordinance to change the form of government. I don't see it happening.
BTW, the next section in Haines' book discusses the establishment of the city's logo, followed by the Monona Drive 1966 rebuild and the efforts, spearheaded by local business leaders and not the city, to market Monona Drive businesses.
"Who do you apologize for problems that are plain view of the rest of us?"
ReplyDeleteI was not apologizing for anything.
"because we have children that are there whose parents need to call the police to baby sit folks from the whole east side who are causing problems-"
Sorry, I have no idea what you are trying to say.
"What are the rules about plowing our streets-how many inches before the plows hit the streets-just wondering."
ReplyDeleteI see now that I answered a different question than you asked. The city standards do not really address when to start, but rather when snow should be cleared based on the type of street and topography. Arterials (Monona Drive and Broadway) are at the top of the hierarchy, then collectors (e.g. Dean, Nichols), then local through streets, and residential cul de sacs are at the bottom.
I've watched the construction of the retention basin on the site of the former Lake Edge Park. Under whose watch did we give up public park land to improve the life of the condo owners? Or did we? Will there be picnic tables at the bottom of the retention basin? Can we still watch the sunset over the rotting leaves? Could this have been corrected during Monona Drive reconstruction instead of giving up lake access for the common folk? Will it really make a difference?
ReplyDeleteThe detention basin has nothing to do with any condo development and everything to do with stormwater runoff and lake quality. The basin replaces the former 6' culvert that dumped stormwater straight from the street to the pipe to the lake.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like giving up the park either, but it was a positive tradeoff.
Just curious, why did you think it might have been for the benefit of condo dwellers?
Let me try to clear up my experiences and feelings about the skate park (which looks a lot like the smoking section of a restaurant).
ReplyDeleteA. FACT: The whole atmosphere of the park is uncomfortable for families and children playing there, playing tennis or passing by to go to the pool. This is just NOT my feeling, but the feeling of numerous others.
B. Police have been called to the park on several occasions to baby sit.
C. Eyeofthebeholder: Many of the youths who smoke there are underage and lack something that I can not put into words. OK, how about the are intimating to younger kids and families.
D. FACT: The skate/smoke park has the highest number of smokers per-capita of any public place in Monona AND has a large number of youth who are underage smokers
Furthermore, it usually has a large number of youth who do NOT smoke.
A change is needed to improve the environment AND to encourage youth who need a place to smoke illegally to move on down the road.
Hickory Lane. I forwarded the information to city staff and they are looking into it. The property owners (Dottie Johns and UW-Platteville) hired the contractor under city pressure.
ReplyDeleteSkatepark and smoking. Look, I don't like teen smoking. But will treating it as a law enforcement issue work? I don't think so.
ReplyDeleteAs you note, most of the skaters do not smoke. It is outdoors, so there is not a public health issue as there is with indoor smoking.
And 'feelings' are not facts, by the way, no matter how many people have those feelings.
You say "Police have been called to the park on several occasions to baby sit", but you also want law enforcement to stop the underage smoking. I'm confused about what you really want. Why do you use the words "baby sit"? There seems to be some serious ressentiment behind all this negativity.
One last thought on the skatepark and smoking. The Parks Board has the authority under the city code to regulate smoking in parks. If you want to see the rules changed, you should make an appearance at the Parks Board. They will certainly listen to your concerns and may (or may not) act on them.
ReplyDeleteDoug-
ReplyDeleteThanks for answering the question about snow-just was wondering.
I do have one more random question...if you are willing?
Will you be seeking the endorsement of our group: Chickens for Change? The sooner we know the better-once we know your are interested-you will be sent a short 7 question survey (now essay questions).
Our board will review and vote yea or nay. There is some support on our board for you-given your work on this issue already.
Please note, there will be not pay for play.
Patiently Waiting,
Henny Penny
Founder Chickens for Change
Chickens for Change? Isn't this really a front group of Humans Using Chickens for Agriculture? Hmmm? Hmmmm?
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, what eggs-actly is you eggenda? A chicken in every pot?
But really seriously, now that the budget is done, maybe it is time to introduce the chicken ordinance.
Some thoughts on the Skate Park: it has been my experience that the vast majority of kids using the skate park are friendly and helpful to the younger skaters. I have two kids, 9 and 5, and I have never felt intimidated or scared there. I guess it helps to approach the wild untamed teenagers with a smile on your face, instead of a scowl. While smoking is still legal, it will always remain one of the first flirtations with rebellion for many teens. Does anyone truly believe kids will stop smoking at the Skate Park without a full-time enforcement officer there? Give me a break- I don't want to pay for that! And if you really want to get into the public nuisance of cigarette butts, go check out Winnequah Park after the Fourth of July Festival. Leave the kids on the Skate Park alone. They're outside, engaged in physical activity and communing with their friends and peers. Isn't that what we want them to be doing?
ReplyDeleteIs it legal to place the following device in front of my house:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.yankodesign.com/2008/12/11/speed-bumps-that-flatten-for-slow-speeds/
I would like to pursue the definition of the terms 'blight' and
ReplyDelete'unsightliness' for purposes of public inspection. My neighbor Joe
Chern is being bothered by some citizens who find his house boat
'unsightly'. The city inspector has no definition of that term, 'but
knows it when she sees it'.
My neighbor across the street from Joe, at 5302 Tonyawatha has a pile of
tree debris in the front yard and the city will not do anything to make
the owner remove it or cite her for 'unsightliness'. Why is the one
worthy of citation and the other not?
The term blight is used to condemn property by emminent domain to
enchance the cities tax rolls. The properties on the corner of Monona
Drive and Femrite were condemned for 'blight'. I presume, in both
cases, the house boat and the properties involved were judged to
'injure' someone's property values,i.e. money amounts.
I believe we need a public discussion in Monona of what 'values' we hold
dear and whether money amounts are appropriate standards for definition
of these terms.
I find Mr. Chern's boat sightly, the pile of debris unsightly, the
buildings on Monona drive a 'blight' on my sense of the character of
Monona and the individuals who developed the previous small businesses.
The present buildings are characterless and reflect the 'mall view' of a
bland and 'unsightly' community.
Let there be a public hearing on what Mononan's consider sightly and
blighted? I would hope that conspicuous wealth would not be our standard of
community value.
"Is it legal to place the following device in front of my house?"
ReplyDeleteA: If you mean, can you put one in the road on your own, the answer is 'No'. (The device in question are collapsible speed bumps).
Say Doug-
ReplyDeleteI Read Sunny's article-this week.
It is quite interesting-
However, I must disagree with her isn't having to call PD from Madison and McFarland for a mutual assistant on a couple occasions quite different than breaking up a fight at Silver Eagle? Further, I think Pat is being silly of course you can refuse service-OR require they pay for 2 or 3 security guards. Further, I get the feeling that Wally is not the overreact type.
What the heck do you think?
Thanks,
HP
Founder Chickens for Change
PS I am consulting brd members about our agenda. Sadly, I do not think we have consensus. However, I am going to push hard for for 3 or 4 agenda items. You are going to be the first to be notified-as I think we can get you on board.
Thanks for the response about the collapsible speed bumps for appropriate speeds. It appears I am back to HOT WHEELS Speed guns AND citizen's arrest. YEEEHAY!
ReplyDeleteDo you know anyone who has a slightly used flashing light (red or blue) and a used/cheap Ford LTD? FYI: I will need to park it at your house(I do not need to get caught up in the blight thing like the boat guy.)-and I am going to rent the whole package out to friends/family.
HP
PS How is the noise thing going for this summer?
Regarding the Bourbon Street Grill matter, I cannot comment because I chair the License Review Committee and we will be acting as a quasi-judicial body in this matter. Likewise, because the city council makes the final decision, council members should also not comment on the substance.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard anything about the noise issue lately.
Totally random question:
ReplyDeleteIs Monona planning on turning the park by Winnequah and Waterman into an ice rink? Saw that the grass had been "plowed" after the recent snow, and I know that it has been used as an ice rink in the past. I would definitely be supportive of such action as I live just around the corner.
Thanks, I haven't been able to find anything else online about that.
"Is Monona planning on turning the park by Winnequah and Waterman into an ice rink?"
ReplyDeleteNo. I have no idea why that would have been plowed. There is a rink tentatively planned for Winnequah Park.
Were the snowflake lights on Broadway blue last year?
ReplyDeleteHave you read the book The Shack?
ReplyDeleteI don't believe the color of the lights has changed. We did not buy new lights.
ReplyDeleteAnd, no, I have not read the Shack. Do you recommend it?
I really thought the lights were blue last year. Oh well. Glad to have the lights.
ReplyDeleteYes, the book is a fast read and very enlightening. I do indeed recommend it.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks for the update on ice skating. Is the rink at Winnequah going to be a "set up a boundary and flood it sometime this winter", or are you referring to the $60k ice rink that was cut out of the budget last year? It's definitely disappointing to have to drive to Madison to ice skate.
ReplyDeleteI did see some comments from back in '07 about flooding Waterman park, was there any definitive conclusion to this?
Thanks,