MLK Observance, BWC Pilot, Not Homeless Enough

Hi Everyone,

Here are updates of note for this week, starting with the MLK Holiday Observance:

37th Annual Madison & Dane County King Holiday Observance

The King Coalition welcomes Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz, as keynote speaker for the 37th Annual Madison & Dane County King Holiday Observance on January 17th. The program, which starts at 6pm, will also include performances by the MLK Community Choir and presentation of the MLK Humanitarian Awards by Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and County Executive Joe Parisi. Access the broadcast here. The program will also be livestreamed on Facebook live and on radio at WORT-FM 89.9.

Common Council Meeting on Tuesday

Congratulations to Sophia Lahey for the appointment to the Sustainable Madison Committee. Sophia will join other D13 residents in serving on one of the city's boards, committees, and commissions once confirmed by the Common Council. Anyone interested in learning more about what it takes to serve can find current vacancies and an application form here.

Another item of potential interest to D13 residents is a resolution authorizing the Madison Police Department to implement a pilot program for body-worn cameras (agenda item 44). The Public Safety Review Committee recommended to 'Place on File' this resolution at their meeting last week. A recommendation to Place on File is a recommendation to not approve. I have a number of concerns with the resolution, particularly related to the means of funding the pilot program and the recommendations included in the Body Worn Camera Feasibility Report with respect to any such pilot program. I understand that the resolution sponsors may be asking to refer the item to a future meeting in order to address a requirement in the city's Surveillance Technology Ordinance.

Not Homeless Enough

On Thursday, there will be an online screening of Not Homeless Enough, the short film by Diane Nilan with followup discussion hosted by the Madison Public Library. Since 2005, Diane Nilan has traveled the U.S. documenting the pervasive and underestimated problem of homelessness. Her film features the story of four families in Madison and Dane County who experienced homelessness, and in particular highlights the struggle of living in doubled-up situations, or self-paying to live in a hotel and how it disqualifies these families for federal HUD homeless programs. After the film there will be an opportunity to learn what you can do to support such families. To register and receive login details, click here.

In the News

• You're Invited: First Public Meeting Set for New Imagination Center at Reindahl Park
• Medic 14, City's Ninth Ambulance, Now In Service On Dairy Drive
• Madison Commons, Media Digest
• City of Madison Complete Meeting Schedule

Save the Date

January 31 - All potential applicants for the Neighborhood Grant Program must meet with city staff. Applications will be due February 7. Please send an email to neighborhoods@cityofmadison.com to request your pre-application meeting, and check the city's webpage for 2022 program materials.

That's all for now. Take care and stay safe.

Tag