BIOGRAPHY

Alderperson Larry Palm was elected on April 5, 2005.  He was re-elected to represent District 15 residents in 2007.

Like many others, Larry moved to Madison in 1991 to attend the UW-Madison.

In 1994, he began his current job as the School Secretary for the Affiliated Alternatives in the Madison Metropolitan School District.

In 1996, Larry’s community involvement increased when he joined the boards of the Madison Public Library and the South Central Library System (the little red trucks that deliver shared books to the library near you).

Larry then co-founded and co-chaired GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) South Central Wisconsin, which recently became GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) for Safe Schools.  As part of his work in school district alternative programming, Larry saw a need for providing safe places for our gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning students, parents and staff.  As a renter in a primarily college student area, Larry also became the vice president of his neighborhood association, Capitol Neighborhoods in downtown Madison.

In 2003, Larry became vice president of his union, the Supportive Educational Employees (SEE) Bargaining Unit, part of Madison Teachers, Inc., the local educators’ union. That year, he purchased his home in the Eken Park neighborhood, on Madison’s near North/Eastside and immediately became involved in the Eken Park Neighborhood Association, soon becoming one of its co-chairs.

Meanwhile, Larry became involved in the Friends of Starkweather Creek citizens’ group, not only because the creek is a treasured feature of his neighborhood, but because of his concern for protecting and preserving the natural environment of Madison and Dane County.  He was elected to FSC’s Board in 2004 and as treasurer in 2006.

In 2005, Larry joined the Board of AIDS Network and was recently elected president of the Board.  Also in 2005, Larry was elected as District 15 alder.  He represents residents of the Eken Park, Carpenter-Ridgeway, Worthington Park, Eastmorland and Lake Edge neighborhoods, and residents of part of the Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara (SASY) neighborhood.

Even after his election to the Common Council, Larry continues to be involved in many community organizations, because he believes that it is important for our elected officials to remain active and engaged in a wide range of civic and community activities.