D13 Updates: How to join the COB and more

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a nice and safely-distanced holiday weekend.

As a follow-up to my post about last week's marathon (and controversial) Council meeting, please note a call has been issued for residents to apply to be on the Police Civilian Oversight Board which passed last Tuesday.  Residents may apply themselves or nominate someone else for the four at-large slots on the 13-person Board.  The deadline for application and/or nomination is Wednesday, September 16.

Last week was challenging, yet also rewarding. District 13 residents came together to make it clear our opposition to racism. A rally on Monroe Street last Tuesday during rush hour showed support for Black Lives.  Residents from all over the district have come together to oppose the racist flyers that were discovered in various locations. A noose of some sort was found hanging from a tree in Wingra Park and was reported to and quickly taken down by the Parks Dept.  A Black Lives Matter sign now stands in front of the tree – D13 residents will not be silent in the face of hateful messages and symbols.  

After George Floyd's murder, Dudgeon Monroe residents formed an Anti-Racism Committee.  Their first task is complete – A Guide to 911 Calls.  Here's a link to the Committee's page where you can find out more about this very practical guide. I'm hopeful that other neighborhoods in D13 and throughout the City might adapt this guide. My conversations with MPD indicate full support for this effort to reduce unnecessary calls.

Tonight, we start the lengthy budget process with Finance Committee hearings on the Capital Budget. Next month, we'll do the same with the Operating Budget.  Final votes will take place in early November. This budget is sure to be challenging, to say the least.

Lastly, locally, Covid numbers are way up, the highest since the start of the pandemic. Predictably, this is connected to the start of in-person classes at UW. At any rate, the virus remains dangerous and is still out there. By now, we all know the basics on how to prevent spread -- wear a mask, keep six feet of distance, wash hands thoroughly and regularly.  Now's not the time to let up.

Fighting Racism. Fighting Covid. It's how we roll in District 13.

Take care and stay safe.

Tag