D12 Update - Meetings of interest

SHERMAN-NORTH SHERMAN-FORDEM AVE DEVELOPMENT MEETING TonIGHt

• Today! Monday June 29 at 6:00pm
• Center For Families 2120 Fordem Avenue

Residents are invited to a presentation of a proposed multi-use redevelopment at the triangle at Sherman/North Sherman/Fordem Avenue. This is not the same as the proposal included in the draft Emerson East – Eken Park – Yahara Neighborhood Plan.

Previously we thought the applicant would submit a plan prior to the meeting, however I have been informed that an application has been made. They will still make a presentation on the design and concept of the development and you will have an opportunity to provide feedback to the developer.

Union Corners Second Neighborhood Meeting

Please Alder Rummel and Palm for a second neighborhood meeting where we will discuss Gorman & Co.'s proposal to construct a five-story, mixed-use building on the corner of Milwaukee Street and E. Washington Avenue. Gorman want to share their full site plan and gather your input before they submit their formal application to the City on July 22.

• Wednesday, July 15, 2015 6:30pm
• Goodman Community Center - Bolz Room A 149 Waubesa Street

The first floor would consist of retail space including Fresh Thyme, a 28,000 square foot grocery store, and 9,000 square feet of retail. The upper floors would consist of 102 apartments. They propose 200 underground and 48 surface parking spaces. The plans also include bike parking, an outdoor space with a small open pavilion, the serpentine path that connects 6th Street to Milwaukee Street and stormwater detention and landscaping.

Union Corners Legistar File

Draft EEEPY Plan Comments Due June 30

Previously I have invited you to a series of meetings about the Emerson-East Eken Park Yahara Neighborhood Plan. We have received much feedback, and if you have already submitted we thank you.

There is still one day left to submit your written feedback to Linda Horvath.

Draft Plan

Isthmus Oscar Mayer Article

You might have read this week's Isthmus article about Oscar Mayer (available online)

I was disappointed in the direction of the article, there is a lot of conjecture made by the writer. I want to be direct with you, residents of District 12, that the City of Madison and myself have no knowledge of any actions being taken by Oscar Mayer or its parent company.

There are two quotes from myself, both taken out of context.

"There are people who say, you know, that's in jeopardy," says Ald. Larry Palm, who represents the district where the company resides.

For years there have been rumors that Oscar Mayer would close or scale back further. Nothing has changed in the current setting, whenever something changes at a large company it creates concern. However, a few years ago Kraft actually added brands to the Oscar Mayer banner and added strength to the Madison office.

Ald. Palm suggests one future path. He looks at Lunchables, and notes that their content includes not just Oscar Mayer meat, but a cornucopia of other Kraft products. "It could become the Kraft Lunchable," he says. And that's one possibility: stripping Oscar Mayer of its most profitable line and selling what remains of the company.

This was a definite spin on what I was saying. My point to the writer of this article was exactly the opposite, that Oscar Mayer Lunchables are very successful and they could become Kraft Lunchables but they have not, because of the strength of the core Oscar Mayer brand.

At this point Oscar Mayer is a part of a much larger corporate discussion. Obviously the City of Madison and I support Oscar Mayer and its many dedicated and hardworking employees. We will work as best as we can with the management to ensure the company – and the Weinermoble – stay as Northside presence.

Milt McPike Scholarship Fund

Our mission is to further Milt McPike's legacy by providing renewable scholarships and East alumni mentors to recipients beginning in 2016. As of June 1, the scholarship balance is $7,255, and we hope to soon have the fund permanently endowed with the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools. Our long-term goal is to raise $100,000 by the end of 2018 -- a sum that would allow East High to offer renewable (annually, for up to four years) $1000 scholarships in honor of Milt McPike in perpetuity.

To officially launch our efforts, we are pleased to invite you to our 'Kick-off Brunch' at The Edgewater Hotel on Sunday, July 12. Please join us for some great food, music, and company!

Special guests will include Sharon McPike, Jeff McPike, and Milt McPike, Jr.

Featured speakers will include:

• Milton McPike, Jr.
• Kathy Sorenson, Class of 1967 and former director of Project HUGS
• Juan José López, former Madison Board of Education member
• Troy Dean, Class of 1996, owner of DAZE Basketball Entertainment
• Michael Flores, Class of 1995, current Madison Board of Education member

Musical performances will be provided by rising jazz piano star Wilder Deitz (East High Class of 2012) and the Yid Vicous Klezmer Ensemble, featuring multiple Purgolders.

A silent auction will include items donated by the National Football League, UW Athletics, East High, Ella's Deli, Madison Children's Museum, American Girl Doll Company, and The Edgewater Hotel. Very special silent auction items will include leather goods and woodwork handcrafted by Milt McPike himself, generously donated by Sharon McPike. All money raised by the silent auction will directly benefit the scholarship fund.

Learn how you can help Purgolder alumni offer scholarships to future East graduates and help us raise funds to make the Milton McPike Memorial Scholarship permanently endowed -- essentially lasting forever!

Beginning in 2016, the Madison East scholarship committee will identify promising students who could benefit from a financial boost and the advice of an East High alumni mentor, who will commit to supporting the scholar throughout his or her college career. Mentoring is one of the most crucial factors that determine whether or not a college student succeeds, and we hope to provide the same sense of community for future East graduates as Milt McPike provided for us.

Please click here to purchase tickets and officially register before, July 5.

For more information about this project, please visit our main website.

Northside Meeting with Police Chief Koval

On Tuesday June 30 the Vera Court Neighborhood Center is hosting the latest Northside Community Forum with Chief Mike Koval. Bring your questions and concerns at 6:00. The Center is located at 614 Vera Ct. Parking is limited so please plan accordingly.

Chief Koval is committed to regularly presenting these citizen engagement forums in each of our five policing districts. The forum is expected to run until 7:30pm.

Bird Tests Positive for West Nile Virus in Dane County

This Sign of West Nile Virus Highlights Importance of Protecting yourself against Mosquito Bites

Public Health of Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) along with state health officials announced that a bird recently tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV) in Dane County, the first to do so in the county this year. Although very few mosquitoes actually carry WNV, the disease is spread to people and horses through the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected with WNV by biting infected birds and can potentially transmit the virus by biting other animals or people.

With the presence of the virus now confirmed, people should start to pay more attention to protecting themselves against mosquito bites. Peak mosquito season is just getting started, so it is very important to take the necessary steps to avoid bites and help reduce potential exposure to WNV infection. 

Here are a few important steps to take to help avoid bites:

• Limit time spent outside at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Apply insect repellant to clothing as well as exposed skin because mosquitoes are capable of biting through clothing.
• Make sure window and door screens are in good repair to prevent mosquitoes from getting into your residence.
• Trim tall grass, weeds and vines because mosquitoes use these areas to rest during hot daylight hours.

ELIMINATE SOURCES OF STANDING WATER BY:

• Getting rid of items that can hold water, such as tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots or discarded tires. Turn over wheelbarrows, wading pools, boats and canoes when not in use. Water left in these items provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
• Cleaning roof gutters and downspouts for proper drainage – again to avoid standing water.
• Changing the water in birdbaths and pet dishes at least every three days.
• Cleaning and chlorinating swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs; draining water from pool covers.
• Landscaping to prevent water from pooling in low-lying areas.

NOTE: If you are a renter, please talk to your landlord about any concerns related to your property.

The chances of a person becoming infected with WNV are very low and most infected people (80%) will not even have any symptoms. Those who are infected that do become ill typically develop a fever, headache, and rash that lasts a few days. Symptoms may begin between three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Older adults and people with compromised immune systems are at an increased risk of severe disease from the virus and can develop neurologic illness such as meningitis, seizures, and paralysis. Severe disease develops in less than 1% of those who become infected. There is no specific treatment for West Nile virus other than to treat symptoms. If you think you have a West Nile virus infection, contact your healthcare provider.

The Department of Health Services has monitored the spread of WNV since 2001 among wild birds, horses, mosquitoes and people. Since 2002, there were 234 human cases (confirmed and suspected) of WNV statewide, with 23 reported in Dane County including four cases reported in 2013. During 2014, 6 cases of West Nile virus infection were reported among Wisconsin residents but none in Dane County.

The Wisconsin Division of Public Health will continue surveillance for WNV until the end of the mosquito season. However, with the confirmation of the infected dead bird in Dane County, further testing will not be done here. You can still report sightings of sick/dead birds to the Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at 1-800-433-1610.

For more information on West Nile virus:

• Wiscosnin Department of Health Services
• Public Health of Madison and Dane County
• Center for Disease Control