tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356668682024-03-05T00:21:50.644-06:00Monona DougHigh FeuilletonDoug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.comBlogger1541125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-27880081414883296382012-08-03T22:13:00.002-05:002012-08-03T22:25:38.920-05:00Bringing Down the Curtain<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I've decided to make it official. The Monona Doug blog is putting up the Closed sign. Seeing as how my last post was in February, this news isn't actually new news, if you get my meaning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's been mostly fun, interesting, at times challenging and occasionally frustrating, but I'm glad I did it. It was time-consuming and required a lot of work, but most of the time it didn't really feel like work.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAhgU_5e4j3bxx_I74o_M9pbIxrnkhBbR3_NQ4VUMk9___bswVJlax6URZ4s9jMszrIzVmijZwG3Pxj_9u-9Rbehanug2_H7TM8sDxqKD1GHw1ju-04UUITadGCGE2dl17qls1Q/s1600/closed_sign_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcAhgU_5e4j3bxx_I74o_M9pbIxrnkhBbR3_NQ4VUMk9___bswVJlax6URZ4s9jMszrIzVmijZwG3Pxj_9u-9Rbehanug2_H7TM8sDxqKD1GHw1ju-04UUITadGCGE2dl17qls1Q/s200/closed_sign_photo.jpg" width="151" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I started the blog on October 7, 2006 with </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2006/10/first-things-first.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">First Things First</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and this final post is number 1,571. The blog netted 103,740 pageviews in those six plus years. However, that number includes my own pageviews as well as Mayor Bob's, who has been steadfast in urging me to publish more posts by reminding that he keeps checking to see if I've posted anything new - alas, to no avail.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The most viewed posts were </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2010/11/land-grant-railroads-in-wisconsin-part.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Land Grant Railroads in Wisconsin</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (3424 pageviews), </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2010/03/monona-images.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monona Images</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, (1319), </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2010/06/monona-loses-leader-bill-bathke.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monona Loses A Leader - Bill Bathke</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (1257), </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2009/04/division-promoted-in-mg-school-board.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Division Promoted in MG School Board Race</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (717 - one of the few times I ventured into the volatile topic of MG schools), and </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2011/01/yes-virginia-da-bears-still-suck.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, Virginia, Da Bears Still Suck</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (709). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Some of my personal favorites were </span><a href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2009/04/next-step-forward.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Next Step Forward</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (on a proposal to allow backyard water buffaloes) and </span><a class="gs-title" href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2008/11/sunny-violates-first-rule-of-holes.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monona Doug: Sunny Violates First Rule of Holes</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (regarding Sunny Schubert's gaffe when she thought Lindsay Wood Davis was my daughter! - sorry, Sunny, but that was just too damn funny to pass up). The hardest, but most cathartic post was </span><a class="gs-title" href="http://mononadoug.blogspot.com/2010/05/jessica-colleen-wood.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monona Doug: Remembering Jessica Colleen Wood</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> about my late daughter who died in a car accident at the age of 3 in 1987.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">By the way, anyone interested in the Land Grants topic may want to look at my </span><a href="http://ocr.wi.gov/WoodRRLandGrants7thCAFinal.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">updated presentation</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> because the 7th Circuit reversed the District Court and answered almost all the unanswered questions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I began the blog about the same time that I became an active </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A37GRFP6VMUXKT?ie=UTF8&ref_=sv_ys_4" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Amazon book reviewer.</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I started posting in April 2006. At one time I was in the top 500 Amazon reviewers. But writing book reviews came to feel like a job - an unpaid one at that - and so I posted my final and 390th review in January 2011.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, why quit? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well, I've gone through major changes in the 15 months or so (divorcing, sale of house, moving, and starting a new relationship). I also began biking lots and lots of miles, which absorbed loads of time and energy. But if you must know, I don't have a dread disease. I'm not depressed or drunk. I'm doing very well. I'm happy with my life - happier than in a long time.</span></div>
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<br />Much like the book reviews, the blog had begun to feel more like a job than an avocation even before all the changes started, so it was an easy thing to put aside. It was a drain on my time and time had become more precious. I found myself only posting Monona news and almost never the fun stuff about history or books or whatever seemed interesting .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nonetheless, I've debated doing a 'sign
off', but I hesitated because I would think, 'maybe I'll change my mind'.
I procrastinated. I also wanted to do a post that would be up to the standards I tried to impose on myself. I didn't want to just do a post that said "I quit". I hope this last one does that. Whatever. It was a lot of fun for a long time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">To me a more interesting question is why did I start doing it in the first place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the front of the line would be the fact that I quit drinking in June 2005. With the exception of a couple of very brief relapses, I didn't have a drink for 5 years. I will now very occasionally have <em>a </em>drink and <em>never </em>by myself, but I just don't have the desire to get drunk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, I found myself with a clear mind and lots of time on my hands. When I went through intensive out-patient treatment (four hours a night, four nights a week for four weeks or something like that), I learned that I needed to find things to fill my time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A clear mind and lots of time to reflect are also directly related to my realization that I was deeply unhappy and unfulfilled in important parts of my life. (No, I'm not going into any salacious details.). As I made changes in my life, I just didn't have the time, but more importantly lacked the desire to blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In the words of the late, great <span id="goog_1672045427"></span></span><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/edward-r-murrow/this-reporter/513/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Edward R. Murrow<span id="goog_1672045428"></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">, "Good night, and good luck."<o:p></o:p></span></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-31507333997096276182012-02-27T22:40:00.003-06:002012-02-27T22:40:51.968-06:00Monona Transit Public Forum - Tuesday at 6:30 pm<h1>
<span style="font-size: small;">Public Forum on Monona Transit Expansion, 6:30 pm</span></h1>
<b>Date:</b> Tue - 02/28/2012<br />
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<b>Time: </b>6:30 PM</div>
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<b>Location: </b>Monona City Hall, 5211 Schluter Rd.</div>
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<b>Link: </b><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/_apps/news_1_1/reviews_details.php/419/public%2Bforum%2Bon%2Btransit%2Bexpansion%2Bscheduled%2Bfor%2Bfeb%2B28/" target="_blank">Click here to read the details</a></div>
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The Monona city council approved the a new 5-year contract with First Student (formerly First Transit and former formerly Laidlaw) that will provide <strong>new transit buses and an additional 14 hours</strong> of transit service per week <strong>without increasing the cost to Monona’s taxpayers</strong>. <br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2907">Resolution 12-02-1838: Approval of 5-Year Contract with First Student for City Transit Services</a> </span></h1>
The Monona Transit Commission is seeking public input on how to best incorporate those additional service hours into the current transit service. The goal of the Transit Commission is to attract new riders without negatively impacting the residents that currently use Monona Transit services.<br />
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More runs of the existing route? Extend the existing routes?<br />
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From the city's website: <br />
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"If you are interested in providing input to the Transit Commission on the proposed expansion to the Monona Express service, please attend a <b>PUBLIC FORUM </b>at the next Transit Commission meeting: <b>Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 pm </b>at Monona City Hall. Furthermore, please consider filling out this <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/ImageFiles/Monona%20Express%20Service%20Expansion%20Flyer%20-%2028Feb2012.pdf">brief survey</a> to tell the Transit Commission how best to incorporate the additional hours of service into the current schedule. Once completed, you can give your survey to the Monona Express driver, drop it off at City Hall, or bring it to the public forum on February 28. Thank you in advance for your input."</div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-10359500051421381092012-02-27T22:32:00.000-06:002012-02-27T22:32:46.361-06:00Monona - Belle Isle Dredging Bids and Info Meeting<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The City will conduct a Public Information Meeting </span><strong><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">on February 28</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><sup>th</sup>, 2012 at the Monona </span>Community Center 6:30 pm</span></u></strong> following the review of bids received on Feb. 9<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>th</sup>, 2012. Engineers from SCSBT Squared and City staff will be on hand at this meeting to answer any questions.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/public_services/details.php/30/public_services/2012%2Bdredging%2Bproject/">City's Belle Isle dredging page</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mymonona.com/ImageFiles/2012%20Dredging%20FAQ%20120228.pdf">Dredging FAQs</a>.<br />
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The City of Monona opened the bids for the <strong>Belle Isle dredging project</strong> on February 9, 2012. The low bidder was Veit and Company with a base bid of $511,278.25. The base bid plus Cove Circle came in at $554, 075.75. The engineer's estimate for the project was $600,000 (including Cove Circle). Here is the <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/ImageFiles/Belle%20Isle%20Dredging%20Bid%20Tab%20120209.pdf">bid tab summary.</a> </span></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Bid alternates were $56,400 for Alternate 1, $42,797 for Alternate 2 (Cove), and a $63,670 credit for Alternate 3 (subtracting Lagoon du Sud from the project). </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alternate Bid 1 was to remove additional material down to a 5-foot (elevation 840') uniform depth in Sumac Lagoon. Alternative Bid 2 was the Cove dredging which was bid out separately due to permitting requirements. Alternative Bid 3 is to credit the removal of dredging in Lagoon Du Sud.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The City budgeted $250,000 to pay the 30% in accordance with city ordinances. The stormwater utility will pay the city's share. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the current
base bid results, that amount will more than cover the City’s portion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the City will have to borrow the
full project amount to cover expenditures until the resident assessments are
paid.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-42533413560858922012012-02-25T10:30:00.000-06:002012-02-25T10:33:15.516-06:00Monona City Council Campaign That Wasn't<strong>Note: I am re-posting this post and will continue to do so periodically until the election.</strong><br />
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What promised to be an interesting and highly competitive race among five candidates for three seats became decidedly less interesting and less competitive in recent weeks with the withdrawal of alders Dennis Kugle and Jeff Wiswell from the race. Dennis announced his decision at the end of the council meeting on February 6, while alder <a href="http://herald-independent.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=52&ArticleID=3245">Wiswell released a statement to the Herald Independent</a> shortly thereafter. Their decisions left former alder Kathy Thomas, long-time Library Board President Mary O'Connor, and newcomer Brian Holmquist in the race.<br />
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However, and it is a significant 'however', <strong>both Kugle and Wiswell will still be on the ballot</strong>. When then-alder Bob Miller withdrew form the 2009 aldermanic contest, he made repeated emphatic announcements to that effect and <a href="http://www.countyofdane.com/clerk/elect2009b.html#race57">still received almost 600 votes</a>. It's not hard to imagine Kugle or Wiswell garnering at least that many votes despite withdrawing from the race.<br />
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The race is over before it started - <em>probably</em>.Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-77965569064225440772012-02-22T17:05:00.000-06:002012-02-22T17:43:24.847-06:00Get Smart - Raise Money for Winnequah School Students<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Robb Kahl recently passed along info about this event. <strong>Get Smart</strong> - or Show Off Your Knowledge of Obscure Useless Information as it might be called if one was a smarty pants - is a community-based trivia contest to be held at the <strong>Monona Community Center on March 10</strong>. The doors open at 6 p.m. Showing off your knowledge of obscure useless information begins at 7 p.m. The event <strong>benefits Winnequah School students</strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Elaine Axtell Thomas adds:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"<span style="font-size: small;">Hi Doug, I tried to
comment on your blog, but I doubt it went through. I wanted to comment on the
Trivia Night on March 10th...I'm on that committee and would encourage everyone
to attend. For $20 a person or $200 for a table of 10 of one's dearest friends,
it would be a great night of fun, food, and a silent auction, too. The money
raised goes towards SmartBoards - expensive, but necessary learning tools for
Winnequah School. Anyone interested can call Jennifer Kahl (I love how that
sounds...) to sign up. Everyone is invited to attend, and it gives one and all
the chance to show off trivia knowledge... Thanks!"</span></span></span><br />
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</div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-597574961367746172012-02-22T03:13:00.001-06:002012-02-22T03:13:01.561-06:00Cluck-cluck at the Monona LibraryAn announcement from the Monona public Library:<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chicken Chat or </span></strong><b><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Everyone Has a Chicken Story...</span></strong></span></b><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wed, Feb 29, 6:30 pm: </span></strong><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</w:wrap></v:imagedata></v:shape><span style="color: #25344f; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> If you have ever thought about raising
chickens....or even just hearing about exciting tales of wayward fowl, this
event is for you. Author Susan Troller and a panel of local chicken
owners/fans will present readings, art, and discussion about the urban
chicken phenomenon. Ms Troller will read stories from<em><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> CLUCK:
From Jungle Fowl to City Chicks</span></em> and present some of the book's
stunning chicken (and rooster) illustrations by S.V. Medaris. She will be
joined by a panel of local chicken owners who have some pretty entertaining
stories of their own. Q & A and book signing follows. Don't
miss this great evening...space is limited so preregister now at <a href="http://www.mononalibrary.org/" target="_blank" title="http://www.mononalibrary.org/"><span style="color: blue;">www.mononalibrary.org</span></a> or call
608 222.6127.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-24894104747867142282012-02-21T07:13:00.000-06:002012-02-21T07:16:45.846-06:002012 Budget Adjustments & Health Insurance Savings<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The City of Monona saved about $286,994 in 2012 premiums by switching health insurance providers. The city council has been struggling with how to use this savings. At our February 6 meeting, I proposed and the council approved a budget amendment to reduce borrowing for Monona drive Phase II construction by $143,800.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">At the February 6 meeting, on a 3-3 vote the council rejected a proposal by alders Speight and Munson to use $75,000 for non-represented employee compensation after a contentious debate (alder Speight lobbed a 'corporatist' grenade and alder Busse responded with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Paul_Getty">J. Paul Getty</a> reference!). Their amendment included $40,000 for merit raises and $35,000 to reimburse those employees for part of the new 5.9% retirement contributions. Budget amendments require a 2/3 majority, so Mayor Miller could not cast a tie-breaking vote. I don't think anybody was happy with that outcome.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Shortly thereafter, unbeknownst to one another, alder Busse and I began working on a possible compromise on employee compensation as well as the remaining health insurance savings. We learned about our separate efforts when we each contacted city administrator Pat Marsh. Jim and I sat down over coffee and worked out a compromise that we each could live with. Whether we could carry the rest of the council with use was an open question.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">We had two goals in mind: 1) Reduce city borrowing in 2012 (the 2012 capital budget is significantly higher than it has been in the recent past and is projected for in the future) and 2) Increase non-represented employee compensation.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Last night, at our February 16 meeting, the council adopted 3 of our 4 proposed amendments and referred the fourth to the CDA. </span><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>$56,000 for merit pay raises</strong> for non-represented, permanent employees not under contract (the city administrator and Public Works Director) in amounts as determined by the city administrator and $5,000 in spot merit bonuses for which the contracted employees would eligible. <strong>Passed 5-1 with alder Wiswell opposing.</strong></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>$3631 to equip the two squad cars</strong> that the council approved for purchase, but didn't
fund equipping them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
<strong>$21,000 for purchase of an unmarked police vehicle</strong> that the council had eliminated from the mayor's proposed capital budget. <strong>Passed 5-1 with alder Wiswell opposing.</strong></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>$39,000 as a loan to the CDA for the Renew Monona</strong> housing rehabilitation program. <strong>Referred to CDA and the city attorney.</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Between the February 6th and 20th meetings, the end result was a $168,431 reduction iun city borrowing for the 2012 capital budget.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A couple further notes: </span><br />
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</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The bid opening for Monona Drive one February 14th and R.G. Huston was once again the low bidder
at $3,341,382.92. Foth’s engineer estimate was $3,254,767.88. The
$86,615 difference is 2.67%. Monona will only pay a portion of that $86,615 because the overall project is being funded 50% with federal funds and 50% local funds. The county, city of Madison and city of Monona are paying the local 50% share.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br />
Bear in mind that the reduced spending for health insurance premiums (compared to 2011) will carry over to future budgets (minus premium increases). Specifically, the reduction in borrowing for 2012 capital projects is a one-time event. In other words, most of the $168,431 we used to reduce borrowing in 2012 will be available for the 2013 budget for whatever uses the mayor and council choose.<br />
<br />
Finally, the remaining $39,000 hasn't been allocated yet. It may be that we can fund the renew Monona program from TID #6 payments. If so, then we could apply that $39,000 to further reduce borrowing or use it to amend the 2012 operating or capital budgets.</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-92169839897203746262012-01-21T10:57:00.001-06:002012-01-21T15:46:56.283-06:00Mary O'Connor City Council Campaign Statement<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Here is Mary O's campaign statement, verbatim, unedited, and so forth:</span><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">O’Connor Campaign Announcement<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtWIyP9cfZyI1OYsRkzjMUuvicKabV_YlveP6xxgcY1mqOI90oFiqG8V3DPsNhh-eSh3pPunTa1toy9sL23IEhIftaeMARneuNl_a09W_5jxID_sueiTdGL8e9EGbxxA9IexpBA/s1600/Mary+O+2011+Xmas+pic+edited.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtWIyP9cfZyI1OYsRkzjMUuvicKabV_YlveP6xxgcY1mqOI90oFiqG8V3DPsNhh-eSh3pPunTa1toy9sL23IEhIftaeMARneuNl_a09W_5jxID_sueiTdGL8e9EGbxxA9IexpBA/s320/Mary+O+2011+Xmas+pic+edited.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Mary O’Connor recently announced her candidacy for Monona City Council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe that the diversity of my volunteer experience in Monona has provided me with the background and preparation to be an effective member of the Monona City Council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to get things done and think I will bring a fresh perspective to the Council” says O’Connor.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">An active supporter of the Monona Public Library, O’Connor is a long-time library board member and served as board President from 2000-07.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During her time on the board, she helped oversee the $3.5 million library expansion project and many improvements in services and programming, which culminated in Monona’s being named the Wisconsin Library of the Year in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recently, as Treasurer of the Monona Library Foundation, she was heavily involved in their “Booked for Life” campaign, which raised $100,000 and earned a matching grant of $50,000 from the Madison Community Foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>O’Connor has also been an active member of the Friends of the Library Board since its inception.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In addition to her library service, O’Connor currently serves as Secretary of the Monona Grove Education Foundation and as a Chief Election Inspector, helping to manage the St. Stephens’ polling site. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As President of MG Sings, the Monona Grove High School choir boosters from 2007-09, she coordinated the annual Silver Stage Show Choir Competition which hosted 19 choirs and their supporters; and coordinated volunteers for the high school musicals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition, she served as a leader of both of her daughters’ Girl Scout troops and co-chaired the annual cookie sale in Monona for 12 years. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">O’Connor believes that some of the critical issues facing the Council and community include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maintaining city services in a time of severe fiscal constraint.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Continued redevelopment of Monona Drive and the Broadway corridor, both to strengthen existing businesses and bring in new ones; thereby expanding Monona’s tax base and providing for a more vibrant community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Making Monona more attractive to young families which encourages investment in local housing and increases the school population.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Continuing to support the needs of Monona senior citizens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Maintaining the city’s focus on sustainability which impacts city energy usage and lake preservation among other benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Improving Monona’s public transportation system.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Working with other communities in the area to improve the quality of Lake Monona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">O’Connor is married to Bob Bocher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have two daughters, both graduates of Monona Grove High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Claire, her husband Andrew Pautz and their son Liam live in Minneapolis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lauren is a student at UW-Madison. O’Connor received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from UW-Madison and is currently employed as a librarian for UW-Extension.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Contact Mary at - </span></span><a href="mailto:oconnor4council@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">oconnor4council@gmail.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-30535814804471602622012-01-21T10:00:00.001-06:002012-01-21T12:05:55.369-06:00Brian Holmquist City Council Campaign Statement<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Brain Holmquist's campaign statement (unedited):</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">January 8th, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl19Ck6z5pojfCKoUrtRoWpp8O1slzTQKdnGi1OTesLqHnfg-KkD7t0Bl0RxXezMQa_kgqUBjqcg7fy_Oe5JxbkgBgBQgUWkxJiVvBr3_MB-VFdmjaykPXPpPrbJFmk4ffln4vbw/s1600/brian+holmquist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl19Ck6z5pojfCKoUrtRoWpp8O1slzTQKdnGi1OTesLqHnfg-KkD7t0Bl0RxXezMQa_kgqUBjqcg7fy_Oe5JxbkgBgBQgUWkxJiVvBr3_MB-VFdmjaykPXPpPrbJFmk4ffln4vbw/s320/brian+holmquist.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brian Holmquist has announced his candidacy for Monona City Council. Brian and his wife, Rebecca Holmquist, have two small children, Acacia and Porter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acacia is a 3rd grader at Winnequah Elementary School, and Porter is in the pre-school program at Immaculate Heart of Mary School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brian and Rebecca relocated to the Madison area in 2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Monona’s Fourth of July Festival that initially drew their attention to this community. Monona’s parks, pool, library, schools, and established neighborhoods strengthened this attraction. The Holmquists were moved by what they saw as the legacy of Monona. They bought and moved into their home in 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brian works as an Occupational Therapist with the Madison Metropolitan School District serving students at Sennett Middle School and LaFollette High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also is a small business owner working with children, adolescents, and their families who experience significant emotional and behavioral challenges, including autism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prior to his work with Madison Schools, he spent 10 years working in the inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric hospital at Meriter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He serves as the Chair of the Occupational Therapy Credentialing Board for the state of Wisconsin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also serves on Monona’s Family Attraction, Retention, and City Promotion Committee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian is actively involved in the Parks and Recreational programs including coaching baseball and soccer teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is leading the effort to form a not-for-profit group, Friends of Monona Parks and Recreation, to support the Park and Rec’s efforts in facility projects and programming.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Brian believes in strong communities that are actively raising its youth, nurturing neighborhood relationships, and embracing and honoring its elders. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">He believes city council decisions should support the diversity of our residents</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian understands the wisdom in<span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> creating and supporting opportunities and experiences to help people be healthy, caring and responsible throughout life.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only does a community need to support our seniors to “age in place,” but we must make our housing attractive to families just starting out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like we have provided incentives for energy efficiencies, we should consider incentives for modifications to support our seniors to continue to live in their homes and transition into supported/assisted housing if needed. Additionally, we should be providing incentives for first-time home buyers to consider investing in a starter home that may need some renovations, rather than purchasing a newer home elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Our transit system is vital for many of our seniors and disabled residents, and an asset for residents who work downtown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to maintain these services and look for opportunities to meet the needs of additional residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brian supports the recent expansion of routes and increased hours of operation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> Although Monona is a land-locked community, there continue to be options as we look at development and redevelopment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to finish our commitment to the Monona Drive revitalization and Broadway developments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These commercial projects will provide a financial base for our community in the future and in turn, keep our property taxes low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition to the Monona Drive and Broadway developments, we need to consider developing a true “city center” at the heart of our city. This “city center” would add light commercial space, provide a down-town feel and support a communal space<span class="MsoCommentReference"><a class="msocomanchor" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=35666868&postID=3053581480447160262#_msocom_3" id="_anchor_3" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_3">[3]</a><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" style="mso-comment-date: 20120110T0055; mso-comment-reference: _3;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> We have a wonderful asset in our lake access; however the current status of the lake is poor making it less accessible for recreation. We need to continue to look at ways we can improve the quality of our lakes through individual and community decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realistically, this is a larger issue beyond just Monona. Therefore, we need to engage in active problem-solving with other communities throughout our watershed to make substantial changes that will increase the quality of all the lakes and rivers in our area.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <o:p> </o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Brian Holmquist<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">holmquist</span></span></a><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4</span></span></a><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">monona</span></span></a><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">@</span></span></a><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">gmail</span></span></a><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></a><a href="mailto:Holmquist4Monona@gmail.com"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">com</span></span></a><u><span style="color: #000099;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www</span></span></a><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></a><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">holmquist</span></span></a><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4</span></span></a><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">monona</span></span></a><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></a><a href="http://www.holmquist4monona.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">com</span></span></a><u><span style="color: #000099;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.</span><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">facebook</span></span></a><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></span></a><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">com</span></span></a><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">/</span></span></a><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">holmquist</span></span></a><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">4</span></span></a><a href="http://facebook.com/pages/holmquist4monona"><span style="color: #000099;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">monona</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">508 Panther Trail<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><br />
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</div></div></div></div></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-34236931814978772672011-12-10T19:57:00.000-06:002011-12-10T19:57:36.699-06:002012 Capital Budget AmendmentsThe city council approved the <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2771">2012 capital budget</a> with a number of amendments at the December 5, 2011 meeting. Here's what my notes show happened on the amendments. <br />
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The <strong>total 2012 capital budget will be $4,750,401 </strong>(of which about $2.3 million is for Monona Drive). Some items that remained in the capital budget may be funded from the city's reserve funds (i.e. not borrowed), based on the large savings the city will realize on group health insurance rates. <br />
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Amendment to reduce police car purchases from three to two (cut $26,000). <strong>Passed 3-2.</strong> I opposed.<br />
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Amendment to eliminate a new ambulance (cut $175,000). <strong>Failed 1-4</strong>. I opposed the amendment.<br />
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Amendment to reduce the proposed budget to $175,000 (from $250,000) for sanitary lift station in-place back-up generators <strong>passed 5-0. </strong><br />
<br />
Amendment to reduce reduce the proposed budget for SCADA system upgrade to $60,000 (from $100,000) <strong>passed 5-0. </strong> <br />
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Amendment to eliminate funding for 1/2 ton pickup <strong>failed for lack of a second</strong>.<br />
<br />
Amendment to eliminate funding for pool concession area <strong>failed 2-3</strong>.<br />
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Amendment to <strong>transfer </strong>$25,000 from city hall rehab funding to valve maintenance machine <strong>passed 4-1. </strong>I opposed the amendment because I though the transfer should have come from some other Public Works item and not form the city hall rehab.<br />
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Amendment to reduce tree replacement funding from $45,000 to $30,000 <strong>passed 5-0</strong>. The revised funding is still more than we usually actually spend on tree replacement.Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-62763189966374076102011-12-10T19:27:00.000-06:002011-12-10T19:27:06.374-06:00Monona City Council Report - December 5, 2011<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The </span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/details/1/"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monona City Council</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> met on Monday, December 5, 2011) and again had quite a heavy agenda. (My guess of adjournment at 11:30 p.m. was only six minutes off.) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">City Council </span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/doc_includes/export_file.php?id=232"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">agenda</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> or the </span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/details.php/1768/city%2Bcouncil%2Bmeeting/2011-12-05/"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">complete city council packet</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
a. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-629 Revising Title 8, Chapter 3 of the Monona Code of Ordinances Regarding Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling (Public Works Director) (Postponed 11/21/11). <strong>Passed 5-0. </strong><br />
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b. </span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2774"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-630 Prohibiting Weapons in City Buildings</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Police Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11). <strong>Passed 5-0. </strong><br />
<br />
<br />
c. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-632 Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Winnequah Road (Public Safety Committee, Public Works Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11). <strong>Passed 5-0. </strong><br />
<br />
d. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-633 Amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to Remove the Regulation of Massage Technicians (License Review Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11). <strong>Passed 5-0. </strong><br />
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e. </span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2771"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1818 Adopting the 2012 Capital Budget</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Mayor Miller) (Postponed 11/21/11). <strong>Passed 5-0 with numerous amendments. </strong>I'll see if I can figure out a way to report those and post it separately. We cut $156,000 from the 2012 capital budget. The <strong>total 2012 capital budget will be $4,750,401 </strong>(of which about $2.3 million is for Monona Drive. Some items that remained in the capital budget may be funded from the city's reserve funds (i.e. not borrowed), based on the large savings the city will realize on group health insurance rates. <br />
<br />
<br />
f. </span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2770"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1813 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Dane County for the "DaneCom" Emergency Radio System</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Police Chief, Fire Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11). <strong>Passed 5-0. </strong><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>2.<u>New Business</u>.</strong><br />
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a.Convene in Closed Session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session <strong>(International Association of Firefighters Local 311Contract; Group Health Insurance Plan). </strong><br />
<br />
b.Reconvene in Open Session Under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(2).<br />
<br />
c.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1820 Approving Terms of Contract with International Association of FirefightersLocal311 (City Administrator). <strong>No action.</strong> Alder Busse requested more information on comparables.<br />
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d.</span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2778"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1821 Approval to Issue a Request for Proposals for Contracted Consulting Engineer Services</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> (Public Works Director). <strong>No action.</strong> <br />
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e.</span><a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2776"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1822 Selecting a Group Health Insurance Plan</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">(City Administrator). The city has obtained three proposals for a new group health insurance carrier. Note that this item is still under negotiation, so no data on the proposals is included. Each of the three proposals would result in substantial savings over our current carrier (WPS) and would provide the same level of benefits. <strong>No action.</strong> </span><br />
<div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></div><div class="post-footer"><div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"></div></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-21908902365931131192011-12-10T19:14:00.001-06:002011-12-10T19:15:59.659-06:00Automated Trash Collection in 2012<h1><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monona Moves to Automated Trash Collection in 2012</span> </span></h1><div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b>Date: </b>12/02/2011</span></div><div class="editor_text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The City’s residential contract for curbside solid waste and recyclable materials collection expires December 31, 2011, and a new contract with <a href="http://www.veoliaes.com/en.html">Veolia Environmental Services</a> will begin for 2012. As part of the new contract, the City will change to a fully-automated curbside collection program with with 65- or 95-gallon collection carts, similar to the blue recyclables collection carts we currently use.</span></div><div class="editor_text"><br />
</div><div class="editor_text"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The change to automated service for both recycling and trash collection will save about $144,000/year over the current system. This savings assumes about $65,000 in revenue from recycling "rebates", which will be based on market prices. </span></div><div class="editor_text"><br />
</div><div class="editor_text"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A few changes: </span></div><div class="editor_text"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Collection routes</strong> will be completed in two days instead of the three days with our current program. Some residents will have a new collection day, which still needs to be determined.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Large item pickup. </strong>The Contractor will operate a Bulk Waste Collection Program through a direct service request and transaction with the resident. <strong>Residents will have to contact the Contractor directly for collection of large items that do not fit into the solid waste cart</strong>, and for other large items and electronics residents would like to dispose of. The Contractor will then bill the resident directly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please contact Public Works Director Dan Stephany at (608) 222-2525 with any questions.</span>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-78560044177885956392011-12-06T00:31:00.001-06:002011-12-10T18:45:53.524-06:00Dean House - Second Sunday Christmas Open House<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society: </span><br />
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<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The splendid black walnut curved front stairway banister of the restored <strong>Dean House, 4718 Monona Drive</strong> will welcome guests with a lavish display of greenery, garlands, ribbons and ornaments at the <strong>traditional Second Sunday Christmas Open House on Sunday, Dec. 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.</strong> The public is invited<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adding to the mansion's Victorian décor will be Christmas music by Mary Payton and a table of holiday cookies and hot apple cider. The public is invited to be the guests of the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society, which restored the 1856 house in the 1970's and continues to improve the 10-room country home of Madison civic leader Nathaniel Dean and his wife Harriet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A $2 donation will be appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Memorabilia on display will help visitors recall the fifteen years of activities of the Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>volunteers and donors<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that provided the funds<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for the creation of the stairway and banister that is the crown jewel<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>of the restored Dean House Re-creation of the stairway's 50 black walnut balusters and 27- foot handrail in 1988 was one of the challenges requiring an accomplished craftsman, as in the earlier use of the building as a club house for the golf course the stair railing had been lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Society Stairway Fund was created that grew through donations, Back Porch Concerts, Ice Cream Socials, sleigh rides and special fund-raising events, and a private donation of $1,000<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to reach the $7,000 goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The newel post at the base of the railing was a rescue from the old Capital Hotel, which stood at 208 King Street in downtown Madison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been built in 1866 and was torn down in 1975.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For more information call 249-7920 or 222-5783.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-65865840710662297902011-12-04T21:28:00.000-06:002011-12-04T21:28:09.729-06:00Monona City Council Preview - December 5, 2011The <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/details/1/">Monona City Council</a> meets tomorrow night (Monday, December 5, 2011) and again has quite the heavy agenda. The over/under on adjournment is 11:30 p.m.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/committees/details/42">Finance and Personnel</a> (FPC <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/committees/doc_includes/export_file.php?id=1096">agenda</a>) starts at 6 p.m. City Council (<a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/doc_includes/export_file.php?id=232">agenda</a>) begins at 7:30 p.m. Go here for the <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/details.php/1768/city%2Bcouncil%2Bmeeting/2011-12-05/">complete city council packet</a>.<br />
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<div align="LEFT"><span style="font-size: small;">D. Appearances. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;"> <br />
1. <strong>Dane County Supervisor Robin Schmidt, Presenting an Update on the 2012 Dane County Budget.</strong> <br />
<br />
E. Public Hearing. <br />
<br />
1. To Receive Public Input Regarding the Proposed 2012 Capital Budget. <br />
<br />
G. Council Action Items. <br />
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<strong>1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted).</strong> <br />
<br />
a. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-629 Revising Title 8, Chapter 3 of the Monona Code of Ordinances Regarding Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling (Public Works Director) (Postponed 11/21/11). <br />
<br />
b. <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2774">Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-630 Prohibiting Weapons in City Buildings</a> (Police Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11). <br />
<br />
c. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-632 Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Winnequah Road (Public Safety Committee, Public Works Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11). <br />
<br />
d. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-633 Amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to Remove the Regulation of Massage Technicians (License Review Committee) (Postponed 11/21/11). <br />
<br />
e. <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2771">Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1818 Adopting the 2012 Capital Budget</a> (Mayor Miller) (Postponed 11/21/11). <br />
<br />
f. <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2770">Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1813 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Dane County for the "DaneCom" Emergency Radio System</a> (Police Chief, Fire Chief) (Postponed 11/21/11).<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>2.<u>New Business</u>.</strong><br />
<br />
a.Convene in Closed Session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session <strong>(International Association of Firefighters Local 311Contract; Group Health Insurance Plan).</strong><br />
<br />
b.Reconvene in Open Session Under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(2).<br />
<br />
c.Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1820 Approving Terms of Contract with International Association of FirefightersLocal311 (City Administrator).<br />
<br />
d.<a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2778">Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1821 Approval to Issue a Request for Proposals for Contracted Consulting Engineer Services</a> (Public Works Director).<br />
<br />
e.<a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2776">Consideration of Resolution 11-12-1822 Selecting a Group Health Insurance Plan</a>(City Administrator). The city has obtained three proposals for a new group health insurance carrier. Note that this item is still under negotiation, so no data on the proposals is included. Each of the three proposals would result in substantial savings over our current carrier (WPS) and would provide the same level of benefits.<br />
</span></span>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-30549956461532545202011-12-04T17:54:00.000-06:002011-12-04T17:54:12.670-06:00Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4pK1ODmZ6Wmdxb_JZh99hhZE1EHD18dxH8QRx85dzIbUxl_eckVzv8k-D6x4Feb23nnQYE2xAU8GWYxYcAk7HTDLLcqoTYkcd5AouW-QhrGzbcJn0NyNHJzO6VI0N72Z7Qde1A/s1600/every+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4pK1ODmZ6Wmdxb_JZh99hhZE1EHD18dxH8QRx85dzIbUxl_eckVzv8k-D6x4Feb23nnQYE2xAU8GWYxYcAk7HTDLLcqoTYkcd5AouW-QhrGzbcJn0NyNHJzO6VI0N72Z7Qde1A/s1600/every+man.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I recently finished reading and highly recommend </span><a class="title" href="http://www.amazon.com/Every-Dies-Alone-Hans-Fallada/dp/B0057D8Y58/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323039767&sr=8-1" jquery1323039768520="71"><strong><span style="color: #004b91; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Every Man Dies Alone</span></strong></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span class="ptBrand">by <span style="color: #004b91;"><a href="http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/books/unlucky-hans">Hans Fallada</a>.</span> Fallada's this novel detailing resistance by a very ordinary couple to Nazi power. Written in 1947, the book was only recently translated into English. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="ptBrand">Fallada was a troubled, but moderately successful German novelist who chose to stay in Germany when many others left, a decision led him to an ambiguous dance with Nazi authorities<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. In the <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/">National's</a> review by Sam Munson - <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/books/unlucky-hans">Unlucky Hans</a> - Fallada is described as "vacillating unhappily between rebellion against and co-operation with Hitler's regime." </span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMVca9BCldNErd91EUZu43ndjc03FyRL4Su4l0D4MBX9syyA_lz8__ERGOgZpGmXJFTo79bV4mxx0RrJ4F0xtlxBM1VcbT82RLa7cALyL0sBXd8stg0zFw92JtKqaa1CD_GdV1Q/s1600/hampels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMVca9BCldNErd91EUZu43ndjc03FyRL4Su4l0D4MBX9syyA_lz8__ERGOgZpGmXJFTo79bV4mxx0RrJ4F0xtlxBM1VcbT82RLa7cALyL0sBXd8stg0zFw92JtKqaa1CD_GdV1Q/s320/hampels.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXVrIsgZZXLw3s4mxP2ZdelkZv4vrmOK64nJSI19-dOn5spq54t2YAbfHfMyvEWlHQbE-bnZnJoy7tg1blcDVRxjPk0iOwdZuQ_UMSfUXwLJYzQHnSIsQ-fWCBZd0nsIM3Mbq0A/s1600/hampel+card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOXVrIsgZZXLw3s4mxP2ZdelkZv4vrmOK64nJSI19-dOn5spq54t2YAbfHfMyvEWlHQbE-bnZnJoy7tg1blcDVRxjPk0iOwdZuQ_UMSfUXwLJYzQHnSIsQ-fWCBZd0nsIM3Mbq0A/s320/hampel+card.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="ptBrand"><span class="ptBrand">Fallada's was inspired (if that is the right word) by the true story of Otto and <a href="http://www.gdw-berlin.de/bio/ausgabe_mit-e.php?id=369">Elise Hampel</a>, who scattered postcards advocating civil disobedience throughout war-time Nazi-controlled Berlin. The story takes the reader inside the the lives of ordinary Germans living under the Nazi regime - and much of it is not pretty: Pervasive fear, exploitation of the weakness of others, informing - not to mention brutal beatings, sadistic torture, and execution by guillotine for those swept up in the regime's system of control.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span class="ptBrand"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Comparing <em>Every Man Dies Alone</em> favorably to Thomas Mann's<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mann-Doctor-Faustus-Landmarks-Literature/dp/0521375924/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323042015&sr=1-3">Doktor Faustus</a></em>,</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>Munson concludes that</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> "The book's treatment of the Gestapo is perhaps the ultimate source of its particular greatness..<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.the dismal everyday that Fallada chronicles so well and so relentlessly: the quantities of booze drunk by the miserable officers, the number of blows delivered in interrogations, the dimensions of prison cells, the colour and details of police and military uniforms, train schedules, back room low-level party meetings. Where Mann might use the police headquarters on the Prinz Albrecht Strasse as a chance to explain the dialectic between modern and medieval German architecture, Fallada sees only petty human evil in action...</span>" </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You can borrow this excellent book from your local library with a short wait at most (there are currently 8 holds for the 111 copies held in the SCLS system). <a href="http://www.linkcat.info/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=793764">http://www.linkcat.info/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=793764</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-52782590837517738902011-11-28T22:20:00.000-06:002011-11-28T22:20:41.510-06:00Longest-Ever Monona City Council Meeting Finally EndsI am pleased to report that the <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/details.php/1755/city%2Bcouncil%2Bmeeting/2011-11-21/">Longest-Ever Monona City Council Meeting</a> has finally ended. The meeting was just slightly shorter than the NBA lockout. The meeting began at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2011 and ended just 192 hours later...<br />
<br />
Or maybe it just seemed that way.<br />
<br />
The full agenda is copied below. The careful reader will note that the agenda included both the second reading of the 2012 operating budget as well as the first reading of the 2012 capital budget. Mixed in for fun was yet more consideration of the Belle Isle dredging project, a revision to the Foth engineering contract for Monona Drive Phase Two, real estate acquisition (right-of-way) for said Phase Two. <br />
<br />
Oh, yes, and DaneCom (ouch...just typing that gives me a headache), amending a couple ordinances, and banning weapons in city buildings.<br />
<br />
The council meeting went until about 12:30 a.m. The council adjourned after getting a lot done, but not close to all of it. The items in <strong><span style="color: blue;">bold blue font</span></strong> are the ones we acted on. The rest will wait for another day.<br />
<br />
We adopted an operating budget and levy (increasing property taxes by about 1%), went forward with the Belle Isle dredging project with provision for alternate bids without Lagoon du Sud and with Cove Circle Lagoon, amended the Foth contract to reflect the increased work performed and made decisions in closed session on how to proceed with certain Monona Drive real estate acquisitions (right-of-way).<br />
<br />
One other oddity: Alder Wiswell referred to Alder Speight and me as "Mr. Speight" and "Mr. Wood". It occurred to me that perhaps I had been recalled, but nobody told me - in which case, I could have gone home early. For a fellow who is generally a stickler for formality, Alder Wiswell repeatedly neglecting to employ our honorific struck me as <a href="http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/passing-strange">passing strange</a>.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">A. Call to Order. <br />
<br />
B. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">C. Approval of Minutes from November 7, 2011.</span></strong> <br />
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D. Appearances. <br />
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E. Public Hearing. <br />
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1. To Receive Public Input Regarding the Proposed 2012 Operating Budget and Tax Levy. <br />
<br />
2. To Receive Public Input Regarding the Proposed 2012 Capital Budget. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">F. Consent Agenda. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">1. Consideration Of 2011/2012 Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage and "Class C" Wine Application For Huang & Lin China Star, LLC d/b/a China Star Restaurant, 111 River Place, Monona, Wisconsin, 53716, Agent Ming Yi Huang, 5902 Juniper Ridge, McFarland, Wisconsin 53558. </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">2. Consideration Of 2011/2012 Arcade License Application For Rossi’s Pizza, 4503A Monona Drive, Monona, Wisconsin 53716.</span></strong> <br />
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G. Council Action Items. <br />
<br />
1. Unfinished Business (Approval Requested Unless Otherwise Noted). <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">a. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1815 Adopting the 2012 Operating Budget and Establishing a Tax Levy (Mayor Miller).</span></strong> <br />
<br />
b. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-629 Revising Title 8, Chapter 3 of the Monona Code of Ordinances Regarding Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling (Public Works Director). <br />
<br />
c. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-630 Prohibiting Weapons in City Buildings (Police Chief). <br />
<br />
d. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-632 Amending the Official Traffic Map Concerning No Parking on Winnequah Road (Public Safety Committee, Public Works Committee). <br />
<br />
2. New Business. <br />
<br />
a. Consideration of Ordinance 11-11-633 Amending Chapter 9 of the Code of Ordinances to Remove the Regulation of Massage Technicians (License Review Committee).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">b. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1817 Determining the Scope of the Belle Isle Dredging Project (Public Works Committee).</span></strong> <br />
<br />
c. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1818 Adopting the 2012 Capital Budget (Mayor Miller). <br />
<br />
d. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1813 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Dane County for the "DaneCom" Emergency Radio System (Police Chief, Fire Chief). <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">e. Consideration of Resolution 11-11-1819 Approving a Contract Amendment with Foth Infrastructure and Environment, LLC for Phase 2 of the Monona Drive Reconstruction Project (City Administrator). </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">f. Convene in Closed Session under Wisconsin Statute section 19.85(1)(e) Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session (Monona Drive Phase 2 Land Acquisition). </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;"> </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: blue;">g. Reconvene in Open Session Under Wisconsin Statute Section 19.85(2).</span></strong> <br />
<br />
H. Miscellaneous Business. <br />
<br />
I. Reports of Committees, Commissions, Boards, Mayor, City Administrator, City Attorney, and Department Managers. <br />
<br />
1. Agendas, Supporting Documents and Minutes are Available on the Monona Web Page – www.mymonona.com. <br />
<br />
J. Appointments. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">K. Adjournment.</span></strong> <br />
</span>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-77018153897877678862011-11-19T08:51:00.000-06:002011-11-19T08:51:56.230-06:00Dredging Up the Past and Much, Much MoreThe <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/details.php/1755/city%2Bcouncil%2Bmeeting/2011-11-21/">Monona city council meeting</a> on Monday, November 21 promises to be a test of endurance. Not only do we have the second reading of the <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/download_includes/export_file.php?id=46">2012 operating budget</a> with <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2742">18 amendments</a> but we also have a first reading of the2012 capital budget. And just because we all loooove talking about <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2740">dredging at Belle Isle</a>, we will be revisiting that topic; it's always a popular item and usually brings out the islanders in force (pro and con).<br />
<br />
The major topic of debate on the operating budget is whether to cut the <a href="http://www.mononapolice.com/">Monona police department</a> staffing by one uniformed officer as Mayor Miller has proposed - or not as Alders Speight, Wiswell, and I have proposed. Chief Ostrenga provided some interesting data on <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/export_file.php?t=2755">crime stats and staffing</a> (officers/1000 population). Kudos to Alder Busse for digging up the same (or very similar) data on his own. Wally put together a very useful summary memo that is in our paper packets, but not online (I think). <br />
<br />
Profiles of some of the MOPD staff can be found <a href="http://www.mononapolice.com/our.staff.php">here</a>. The officer whose job is on the line is Officer Jared Wedig, a smart, motivated young guy in whom we have invested a lot of money and time. I can't see cutting an officer when we can afford to fund the position.<br />
<br />
By the way, the budget <i>still </i>incorrectly states that the amendment I am co-sponsoring would be funded entirely from the fund balance. My original email said I wanted to use the small amount of room under the levy cap (around $50,000) first and then use the reserve fund. I restated that at the first reading, but it hasn't been changed. Reinstating the position would cost about $77K.<br />
<br />
About the <b>working capital reserve fund or fund balance</b>. Back in 2003 when Robb Kahl took office, the reserve fund had shrunk to about 7%. The bond rating folks lacked gruntlement. They weren't happy peas in a pod. It looked like a listing fiscal ship. With Robb's leadership, the council adopted a policy of keeping the reserve fund between 15% to 20%. That policy was fundamental in the city's attaining a strong fiscal condition and thus, an extremely strong bond rating. I supported that policy and still do.<br />
<br />
At the end of 2011, the city will have $977,069 or a reserve percentage of 20.71%. If we keep the fund balance at 17.5% (smack dab in the mid-range of our policy), we will have $831,934. <b>Thus, we have $145,135 available to apply to the city's operating budget. I would argue that is fiscally prudent and fair to taxpayers to return that $145,135 to the city's residents either in services or lower taxes.</b><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
See the box at the bottom of page 1 of the <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/download_includes/export_file.php?id=46">revised executive summary of the operating budget</a> . <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">I plan to propose that we apply both money from the fund balance<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> and money from the property tax cap room to each and every amendment. </span>More specifically, I plan to propose that we pro-rate the use of levy cap room and fund balance so that we <b>apply the same proportion of property taxes and fund balance to each amendment</b>. The proposed amendments total $130K. Assume we have $50K in levy cap room. We would apply 38.46% (50/130) from the property tax levy and 61.54% (80/130) from the reserve fund. <b>That way the amendments are all on the same fiscal ground and rise or fall or on their own merits.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Out for now...<b> </b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</style> <![endif]--> </div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-87362053056322613572011-11-19T02:57:00.000-06:002011-11-19T02:57:19.491-06:00Power Line is Coming to TownHere's the schedule for ATC's construction of the transmission line across the Yahara Wetlands. Enjoy the view of the wetlands while you can. Helicopters will be setting the structures in the wetlands.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMKEkShNCG_NKTwNabVoi5KN1Zcb9SvKk8EvmVU2gyTupFe9bGE-1ER6VA6yXS141_KxQtVUtmj1dE602j5nOz3XTxPJf3sfofToHy7JGAsgBONenKdpKZBLQCrueaGDz3joAYQ/s1600/ATC+Construction+Schedule.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMKEkShNCG_NKTwNabVoi5KN1Zcb9SvKk8EvmVU2gyTupFe9bGE-1ER6VA6yXS141_KxQtVUtmj1dE602j5nOz3XTxPJf3sfofToHy7JGAsgBONenKdpKZBLQCrueaGDz3joAYQ/s640/ATC+Construction+Schedule.png" width="492" /></a></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-72328138019461289972011-10-31T17:48:00.002-05:002011-10-31T17:54:54.321-05:00Energ!ze Monona: Buildings: Achieving Maximum Efficiency<div><font color="#006600"><strong>It's your money: how can Monona save $?</strong></font></div><div><br />Efficient buildings save the city on energy costs, lowering our tax bills and lessening the harms of wasteful energy use. Please join us for this, the third of six Energ!ze Monona forums, and learn, share, and save!<br /><br /><strong>Buildings: Achieving Maximum Efficiency.<br /></strong>Designer Christi Weber, LEED AP, Design Coalition; and Janine Glaeser, Projects Coordinator and GIS & IT Specialist, City of Monona.</div><div><br />This forum will look at what is being done and what can be done to increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings, and to make new development and housing more efficient from the start. What directions look most promising for the future? What kinds of zoning or building codes would promote building more energy-efficient buildings and homes? <br /><br /><strong>Wednesday evening, November 2, 6:30 - 8:00<br />Monona Community Center, Main Hall, 1011 Nichols Road</strong><br />Refreshments will be served.<br /><br />Please join the City of Monona, the members of the city's Sustainability Committee, and The Natural Step Monona for this forum. Through February, The Natural Step Monona facilitates a forum around energy: a 20- to 40-minute presentation followed by group discussion of Monona's challenges and opportunities and the key actions to consider for moving our city toward ever less reliance on fossil fuels.<br /><br />Energ!ze Monona forums are part of the City of Monona's outreach efforts around the "25×25 Plan," a blueprint for generating 25 percent of the energy the city uses from renewable resources by 2025. This plan came from Monona's participation in the state Office of Energy Independence's Energy Independent Communities program.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-64077164693756226742011-10-21T22:07:00.000-05:002011-10-21T22:07:39.023-05:00Yes and noYes, my house is for sale. No, I'm not leaving Monona.<br />
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<a href="http://scwmls.paragonrels.com/publink/default.aspx?GUID=2739df03-bcc6-4e9e-9b52-9c977c7c674e&Report=Yes">View the listing here</a>.Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-82884155192141859002011-10-17T23:14:00.002-05:002011-10-17T23:19:38.013-05:00Energ!ze Monona, Wednesday, October 19<div><font color="#330033" size="4"><strong>Economic Benefits of Sustainable Energy and Sustainability with Jessie Lerner,Sustain Dane, and Jeanne Hoffman, City of Madison</strong></font><br /><br /><strong><font color="#993300">Wednesday evening, October 19, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.<br />Monona Community Center, Main Hall<br />1011 Nichols Road, Monona</font></strong></div><div><strong><font color="#993300"><br /></font></strong>Refreshments will be served.<br /><br />Come learn about Sustainable Energy and how we can save money through sustainable measures.<br /><br />Jessie Lerner, Director, Sustainable Business Initiative, Sustain Dane; and Jeanne Hoffman, Facilities and Sustainability Manager, City of Madison; with special guest Judy Ziewacz, who created the Energy Independent Communities program and has worked in government and in politics in Washington, DC and Madison for over 35 years.<br /><br />This forum will give a summary of the benefits of moving toward more sustainable energy use. The advantages are varied and many. Despite often being depicted as too expensive, sustainable measures can and do save money. They also reduce costs for things we don't pay for on our energy bill, such as the health care costs of asthma from polluted air. How can we maximize the return on investment in Monona?<br /><br />I hope you can join the City of Monona, the members of the city's Sustainability Committee, and The Natural Step Monona for this forum, the second of six. Once per month through February, The Natural Step Monona facilitates a forum around energy: a 20- to 40-minute presentation on the topic, followed by group discussion of our community's challenges and opportunities, and key actions to consider for moving toward ever less reliance on fossil fuels. If you're not from Monona, you are welcome to learn and share alongside us. There is much to learn, no matter where we live.<br /><br />Energ!ze Monona forums are part of the City of Monona's outreach efforts around its "25x25 Plan," a plan to generate 25 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2025. The plan came from Monona's participation in the Energy Independent Communities program of the state Office of Energy Independence.<br /><br />More at <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/committees/details/57">mymonona.com</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-35895615199124213842011-10-10T15:46:00.005-05:002011-10-10T16:22:13.011-05:00Green Tuesdays, October 11: Gasland<div><div>FREE - MONONA PUBLIC LIBRARY - 6:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.<br /><br /><font style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><strong>This Tuesday, October 11: <em>Gasland</em></strong><br /></font><br />"The largest domestic natural gas drilling boom in history has swept across the United States. The Halliburton-developed drilling technology of "fracking" or hydraulic fracturing has unlocked a "Saudi Arabia of natural gas" just beneath us. But is fracking safe? When filmmaker Josh Fox is asked to lease his land for drilling, he embarks on a cross-country odyssey uncovering a trail of secrets, lies and contamination. A recently drilled nearby Pennsylvania town reports that residents are able to light their drinking water on fire. This is just one of the many absurd and astonishing revelations of a new country called GASLAND. Part verité travelogue, part exposé, part mystery, part bluegrass banjo meltdown, part showdown."<br /><br /><em>Gasland</em> will be paired with <em>Forestry</em>, a short film from <a href="http://climatewisconsin.org/">Climate Wisconsin</a>, a story of climate change from our own state.<br /><br />Can't make it to this showing? These films will also be screened at the following <a href="http://www.tnsmonona.org/green-tuesdays-green-thursdays/">Green Tuesdays & Thursdays</a>: October 18, Oregon; and October 25, Mount Horeb.<br /><br />Inflamed by hydraulic fracturing? Take action <a href="http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/take-action/overview">here</a>.<br /><br /><strong><font style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Green Tuesdays & Thursdays: Creating awareness, sparking conversation, empowering change.</font></strong><br /><br />At Green Tuesdays & Thursdays Films & Lectures you can enjoy free screenings of films, presentations on a wide range of topics, and conversations about our world and how we can make it better, together. All are welcome.<br /><br />Now in eight communities, Monona's Green Tuesdays are on the second and fifth Tuesdays of the month, from late summer through late spring. See the complete calendar here: <a href="http://www.tnsmonona.org/green-tuesdays-green-thursdays">www.tnsmonona.org/green-tuesdays-green-thursdays</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/madison/">Whole Foods Market</a> serves treats at Monona's Green Tuesdays, so come early and stay late for delightful food and drink.<br /><br />The Green Tuesdays & Thursdays program is sponsored by The Natural Step Monona in collaboration with Oregon Working to Live Sustainably (OWLS), Mount Horeb Area Sustainability Network, RGPL Green Tuesdays (Cross Plains), the City of Middleton Sustainability Committee, Edgewood College, Sustainable Atwood, Madison College (MATC), and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Green Tuesdays & Thursdays are brought to you by The Natural Step Monona, supported by the Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, the Dane County Environmental Council, and Richard and Judy Fritz.<br /><br /><strong><font style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Door Prize!</font></strong><br />Bring your own water bottle or cup and be entered to win Richard Fortey's book: <em>Life: A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of Life on Earth.</em></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-60971605222472621392011-09-22T00:57:00.000-05:002011-09-22T00:57:57.882-05:00Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools Walk/Run/Eat on October 16th<div class="MsoNormal">A group of MG parents/teachers are planning to walk in the <b>GSAFE (Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools) Walk/Run/Eat on October 16th </b>at the <b>Goodman Community Center in Madison</b> to raise money to help this great organization help prevent bullying and promote safe schools for all. In fact, the team is called <b><i>MG Parents supporting MG kids</i></b> (Team members so far are Team Leader Sue Carr, Chad Speight, Doug Wood, Leslie Frank-Taylor, Kris Lehker, Molly Crossen, Chris Whelley, Jim Keck, and Melissa Zietz!) and <b>I know you would love to join this team!</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b> </b> </div><span class="pt12">Register before October 8th and get $5 off your registration fee. Early bird registration is $20 for adults, $15 for youth (ages 12 to 17), and $10 for children (ages 11 and under).</span><br />
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<b><span class="pt12">On-site registration and check-in will begin at 9:30AM on Sunday, October 16th. The walk/run will kick off at 11:00AM, and lunch will be served at 11:30AM.</span></b><br />
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<b>If not, how about a donation?</b> We have already had some great friends and allies donate to support us! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The theme of the walk is SUPERHEROES so we could get really fancy with t shirts and stuff.... </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You can go to this link: and find our team. And please forward on to MG parents that you think might be interested! </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><br />
And there is a kids team too! </div><div class="MsoNormal">THANKS! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://gsafewi.myetap.org/fundraiser/WRE2011/" target="_blank">https://gsafewi.myetap.org/fundraiser/WRE2011/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal">-- <span style="color: #888888;"></span></div>Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-45237627575381080872011-09-21T05:47:00.001-05:002011-09-21T05:48:49.614-05:00Proposed City of Monona Operating BudgetMayor Bob Miller's first operating budget for the city of Monona is under review by the city council in Committee of the Whole meetings this week (Monday and <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/details.php/1648/city%2Bcouncil%2Bcommittee%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bwhole%2Breview%2Bof%2B2012%2Bbudget/2011-09-21/http://www.mymonona.com/pages/calendar/details.php/1648/city%2Bcouncil%2Bcommittee%2Bof%2Bthe%2Bwhole%2Breview%2Bof%2B2012%2Bbudget/2011-09-21/">Wednesday</a>, September 19 and 21) (I missed the Monday meeting due to illness.). The capital budget for 2012-2013 will be reviewed soon after the operating budget review is reviewed. <br />
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The <a href="http://www.mymonona.com/pages/city_government/city_council/download_includes/export_file.php?id=42">proposed 2012 operating budget is online</a>. The most significant change is a reduction of one police officer. The budget also reflects increased employee contributions to retirement and, to a lesser degree, health insurance costs.Doug Woodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16661429832655198314noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35666868.post-82642990686340510592011-09-15T15:49:00.004-05:002011-09-15T16:11:39.352-05:00Next Wednesday: Energ!ze Monona<span style="font-size:130%;">Peak Oil and Monona with Justin Bloesch, UW Madison Student; and Bob Stoffs, Madison Gas & Electric.<br /><br /></span>The first of six free Energ!ze Monona forums is Wednesday, September 21 from 6:30 to 8:00 in the Monona Community Center Main Hall. Justin Bloesch, a UW-Madison student and graduate of Monona Grove High School who has extensively studied and presented on energy and sustainability, will give a short presentation on Peak Oil. Bob Stoffs, Community Services Manager for Madison Gas and Electric Company (MG&E), will share an overview of electric vehicles and MG&E’s charging stations, including two recently installed in Monona. The presentations will be followed by group discussion. Refreshments will be provided.<br /><br />By learning about energy, and then discussing how Monona can work towards becoming more energy independent, Monona’s citizens can help the city realize its “25x25 Plan,” a blueprint for generating 25 percent of the energy the city uses from renewable resources by 2025. Says Bloesch, “The Energ!ze Monona forums are important because they help us prepare for the future. We must be prepared for a world in which more and more people compete for fewer and fewer resources.”<br /><br />From his presentation on peak oil, attendees can “learn how the global oil market impacts people's everyday lives,” says Bloesch. “An event halfway across the world can affect even the economy of Monona.”<br /><br />Stoffs will share information about electric vehicles (EVs), charging stations, and how MG&E is studying the stations. The information gathered from the study will help MG&E plan how to support the future energy needs of EV use in our area. This project is partially funded by a U.S. Department of Energy Stimulus Grant.<br /><br />Asked about the biggest misconception about peak oil, Bloesch said it “is that the world will run out of oil. Instead, we will be finding expensive, hard to reach, inconvenient, and environmentally destructive forms of oil. The question is not ‘is it there?’ The question becomes ‘is it worth it?’”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc9fTZQeszVWC4UGyltYBgXyzT_Nn_WVbL85OoQZzila69BPf07zEpQcFIPMhfEPGlTb0yDoSejPXHaIFZYPt5QoJWktv7MIszyt0jvN7DplbDlKpKOp-pM_fif2qaZGxle65/s1600/Dave+Toso-MGE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 243px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652693148605763106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDc9fTZQeszVWC4UGyltYBgXyzT_Nn_WVbL85OoQZzila69BPf07zEpQcFIPMhfEPGlTb0yDoSejPXHaIFZYPt5QoJWktv7MIszyt0jvN7DplbDlKpKOp-pM_fif2qaZGxle65/s320/Dave+Toso-MGE.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Dave Toso, Electrical Engineer at MG&E demonstrates how to use this electric vehicle charging station, one of two just installed at the Monona Community Center. </span><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1