Gratitude Galore: Thanking Alders, County Supervisors and Community Members for Their Support of Social & Economic Development

Hello everyone – 
I hope this message finds you well. Today’s blog post is an opportunity to say thank you for two recent wins for our City and district around social and economic development. I’ll cover both the Madison Public Market and our recent community engagement dinner. 

A Big Win for the Madison Public Market Project:

I wanted to take a moment to share an exciting development regarding the Madison Public Market project. It's been a journey filled with dedication, collaboration, and a relentless spirit, and I'm thrilled to report that our collective efforts have borne fruit.

As your elected Alder on the City of Madison's Common Council, I've been privileged to work alongside dedicated individuals to ensure that the Madison Public Market becomes a reality. Together with my colleague on Common Council, Ald Regina Vidaver, we took the lead in securing an additional $2.6 million in funding for the project. This financial boost was instrumental in overcoming the latest hurdle, as construction bids had come in over budget.

I would like to extend a heartfelt shout-out to the entire Common Council for their unwavering support of this project. In a resounding 15-3 vote, we stood together to back the lower funding amount. It's worth noting that Ald Vidaver and I took the initiative to engage with the County before our vote, which proved instrumental in advancing our shared vision.

I must also express my deep appreciation for the Madison Public Market Foundation. From day one, they have been champions for this cause, demonstrating unwavering dedication to bringing this project to fruition. Their persistence is commendable, and their commitment to the cause has been unwavering.

In our efforts to secure additional funding, we had the privilege of working closely with County Board Chair Patrick Miles. He not only met with Ald Vidaver and me but also took the lead in advocating for the County's contribution of another $1 million to the project. The County's unanimous approval of the $1 million amendment at the Personnel & Finance Committee meeting was a significant milestone. I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the full County Board as a whole for their supportive 30-3 vote on this crucial matter. It was heartening to see just how much County Supervisors shared our enthusiasm for this project during their full board meeting.

I also want to extend my appreciation to Josey Chu (Madame Chu) and Carmell Jackson (Melly Mell's Soul Food). Their presence and heartfelt words at the Common Council meeting left a lasting impact, further underscoring the significance of the Madison Public Market to our community.

While we initially aimed to secure the full $3.3 million, securing $2.6 million is undeniably a win. It's a testament to the power of collaboration, community support, and our shared commitment to making the Madison Public Market a reality. This project represents a transformative opportunity for our city, offering a vibrant space that celebrates local businesses, culture, and community.
 
Recent articles: 
Madison Public Market: Alder looks to close latest funding gap
Dane County committee recommends another $1M for Madison Public Market, alders proposing more city funding, too
Dane County Board votes to increase funding for Madison Public Market by $1 million
Officials: Madison Public market back on track
Madison Public Market gets another life preserver from city
 

District 17's Community Engagement Dinner

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who attended our District 17 Community Engagement Dinner. Your presence, engagement, and valuable feedback made the event a resounding success, and it was an honor to see our area come together to share feedback about the critical issues that matter to us all.

The District 17 Community Engagement Dinner was more than just a meal; it was a celebration of our shared commitment to excellence in community and civic engagement. With the collective energy and enthusiasm in the room, we were able to have meaningful conversations about the important topics affecting our district. Safer streets, sheltering unhoused community members, The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, small business development, and so much more. Your insights and ideas were inspiring and will undoubtedly help shape my role as your Alder and the future of our district.

One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of Civic Recognition Awards, where we celebrated the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of our community. These individuals and groups have shown unwavering commitment to excellence in community and civic engagement. Congratulations to Jimena Maier, Jeremiah A. Covington, Kaziah Anderson, Noelle Brusky, Shadayra Kilfoy-Flores, Porchlight, Inc., Catalyst for Change, East Towne Mall’s Joe Duperre Jr. and Done Donager, Lori Lopez, and Sgt. Bernie Gonzalez for their well-deserved recognition.

Also, many thanks to:

• Sandburg Elementary School’s leadership and partnership for working with me to have a great space to offer this opportunity.  Thanks, Principal Lopez and team! 
• Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Senator Melissa Agard for attending and engaging throughout the dinner. I greatly appreciate their making their leadership accessible to residents in our district. 
• Julio Garcia and Adriana Soto from the Interpreters’ Co-op for helping me to ensure our dinner provided Spanish interpretation. 
• Sandburg Neighborhood Association 
• Sandburg Elementary's PTO
• Common Council office staff 
• Dan McAuliffe, Planning 
• CJ Ryan, Parks 
• Annie Weatherby-Flowers, Madison Public Library

As we move forward, I encourage all of you to stay engaged and continue participating in the initiatives that are close to your heart. Your voices, ideas, and involvement are essential for the growth and success of our district. Together, we can make a difference and create the community we all want to be a part of.

In the near future, please be on the lookout for more opportunities to learn, engage, and make a positive impact in our district. Whether it's town hall discussions, community projects, or workshops, your participation is vital. Together, we can achieve social and economic mobility right here in District 17, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together.

Thank you once again for your support, enthusiasm, and dedication to our wonderful district. Your involvement makes all the difference, and I look forward to our continued collaboration as we work together to build an even better community for all. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and for entrusting me to represent your interests on the Common Council. Together, we are making a positive impact on our city's future, and I look forward to continuing our collective journey towards a more thriving district!

Warm regards,
Alder Sabrina Madison