District 11 Book Club Discussion: "How Minds Change" on January 17th at 7:00 pm at the Sequoya Library (in-person)

Image credit:

Penguin Random House

Is it possible for individuals and politicians to shift their perspectives and transcend the prevalent "us-versus-them" mindset that pervades our society? The next book in our District 11 Book Club Discussion is the 2023-24 Go Big Read book, "How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion" by David McRaney. Copies of the book are available for you to check out from the Sequoya Library at 4340 Tokay Blvd. This book illustrates that disengaging from tribal conflicts during discussions can promote a higher level of critical thinking. Borrow a copy of 'How Minds Change' from the library and join me and others for a lively discussion on Wednesday, January 17th, at 7:00 pm.

I'll be hosting back-to-back events in January, and I invite you to apply the skills you learned at the book club by joining me the next evening, also at 7:00 pm, at the Midtown Police Station, conveniently located at 4020 Mineral Point Road, for a discussion about a proposed "Road Diet" on this busy street. Mineral Point Road from Midvale Blvd to the Speedway/Glenway intersection is on the list to be resurfaced in 2024. 

Mineral Point Road is currently four lanes with directional peak-hour lanes. On-street parking is allowed during off-peak times, although not heavily utilized. This resurfacing project was put on the agenda at the 11/29/23 Transportation Commission meeting for their input. The consensus from the commissioners was for staff to look into a 'road diet' on this section to reduce the travel lanes and allow for the installation of bike lanes. However, due to high traffic volumes on this section of Mineral Point Road caused by construction on other arterial roads in the area, city traffic engineering decided to delay any consideration of a 'road diet' on this section of Mineral Point Road until 2025. 

Despite this delay, now is the best time for you to weigh in on the advantages and disadvantages of putting Mineral Point Road on a "Road Diet." Join Alder Vidaver (District 5), Traffic Engineering Staff, and me on January 18th at the Midtown Police Station for a neighborhood discussion about future changes to the configuration of Mineral Point Road from Midvale Blvd to Speedway/Glenway Street.

Mineral Point “Road Diet” Discussion on Thursday, January 18, 2024
Location: Madison Midtown Police Station Community Room 
Address: 4020 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53705 
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm (in-person)

Additional Information:

District 11 Blog post on December 9, 2023: "Proposed "Road Diet" with bike lanes for Mineral Point Road in 2024. Public Information meeting via Zoom on December 19th at 5:00 pm

PowerPoint presentations from the December 19, 2023 Public Information Meeting are available:

Resurfacing Program 2024
Mineral Point Rd Lane Configuration
 

Image credit:

Tom Mohr, City of Madison 12/19/2023