ALDER KRISTEN SLACK, DISTRICT 19 - RESIGNATION

It is with great sadness and compassionate understanding that I share with residents of District 20, the announced resignation of Alder Kristen (Kristi) Slack, District 19, effective January 10, 2024 at noon. 

Alder Slack was elected in April 2023 to replace former Alder Keith Furman as the new Alder to serve District 19. As the new Alder for District 20, it has been my great honor to have served along side Alder Slack on the Madison Common Council. Alder Slack has displayed an outstanding quality of openess, honesty, having strong moral principles and moral uprightness: the definition of integrity. She continually has pushed back against NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) references and has worked tirelessly to create space for all voices to be heard on issues that mattered to them...wheather on issues of environmental conservation, climate change, housing, equitable transportation access, protecting natural resources or Madison's Lakes - Alder Slack has displayed integrity. She demonstrated a willingness to stand firm, collaborate and sometimes compromise, but willing to listen to supporting and opposing sides of all issues absent of political or personal gain. 

Alder Slack's advocacy or collaboration around issues that mattered to residents and to the future wellbeing of our city is my aspiration as your District 20 Alder. District 19 will have large shoes to be filled. As the neighboring District 20 Alder, I  thank Alder Slack for so graciously inviting me to have a seat at the table when overlapping District 19 and District 20 issues were under consideration. 

On behalf of District 20, we send blessings to Alder Kristen (Kristi) Slack and to her family. May wellness, health and wellbeing be upon your family. 

I ask that you please pay close attention to the appointment process for selecting the interim appointee to fill the District 19 Aldermanic seat. 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications being accepted to fill the vacancy must be received no later than 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 9, 2024. The procedure for filling a vacancy on the Common Council is set out in Madison General Oridance 2.03 and Wisconsin State Statute 17.23(1)(a).

District 19 residents will be invited to apply to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term, which ends on April 15, 2025. The Common Council President overseas the application process to fill the vacancy. Received applications are reviewed by the Common Council Executive Committee (CCEC). This process includes an interview of applicants at the CCEC meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024. After conducting interviews, the committee will make a recommendation to the Common Council. On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the Common Council will vote to appoint the interim District 19 alder, who will serve until April 15, 2025.

Applications should be emailed to ccec@cityofmadison.com and must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.

Applications should include:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone Number (Home/Mobile/Work)
• Email address
• A biographical resume: include education, work, neighborhood, and civic experience
• A statement on why you wish to serve
• A statement of what you wish to accomplish
• A statement on whether you plan to run for alder in the Spring election

The following timeline:

• Tuesday, January 9, at 4:30 p.m. - applications to fill vacancy due.
• Tuesday, January 23, 4:30 p.m. CCEC applicant interviews.
• Tuesday, January 23, 6:30 p.m. - Common Council meeting -APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT 19 INTERIM ALDER.

District 20 residents: Please mark your calendars and follow the appointment process. This appointment will be important to District 20 as the interim District 19 alder will have direct input & participation in the Southwest Area Plan.

Alder Harrington-McKinney, District 20

Madison Common Council