Neo-Nazis not welcome here; Leaf pickup, Development updates, Water main flushing, Events and announcements

Hello neighbors,

This was not the post I was planning to write today, but people coming to our community to march with swastika flags from Library Mall to Tenney Park keeps me from being silent. As the child of a Holocaust escapee, and an active member of our strong Madison Jewish community, seeing these symbols here, in Madison, is distressing. However, it’s important to note the cowardice of these individuals – they remained masked, unwilling to show the world their faces, and they arrived and departed in windowless vehicles. The Madison Police Department upheld these individuals’ right to free speech, while following them closely to ensure no physical harm came to anyone in our community. While this demonstration was troubling, I am heartened by the responses of our Mayor, Chancellor, and Governor, who all condemned this demonstration. Madison is a place that aspires to cultivate peace that ripples outward. I do my best to extend love and respect to all people I encounter, regardless of their backgrounds. I believe we can learn from each other, in all the glory of our uniqueness. My hope is that our community can pledge to show kindness, respect, and honor in how we interact with one another in our daily lives. That is the best way to show these people their hatred has no place here.

Leaf pickup

A lot of leaves fell late in the season. As a result, our streets crews will be out over the weekend, and into the week of Thanksgiving collecting leaves. Please note that they will start work as early as 6am. 

Development Updates

• I’m pleased to say the Moore’s Towing site development is moving forward. The process will begin with a public information meeting on November 30 at 6pm at Sequoya Library. Please note the developers are having this public meeting before submitting any materials for City review, as they wish to receive neighborhood feedback before progressing. This meeting will not be recorded, but I will provide a summary of the feedback after the meeting. There will likely be one or more additional public meetings on this project.
• The site on Speedway has moved primarily to indoor work. Plumbers, electricians, drywallers, and HVAC and sprinkler specialists are working on the building. Sewer and water have been brought in, and the broken sidewalk on Speedway has been replaced. Masonry will start soon.

Alternate Side Parking Begins

The City of Madison’s alternate side parking restrictions began at 1 a.m. on November 15.  The City enforces alternate side parking from November 15 - March 15, regardless of what the weather is like. The rule is enforced between the hours of 1:00am and 7:00am. Receive Winter Alert Texts to better stay informed.

Water Main Flushing

Water main flushing will start Monday, November 20 in the area roughly between University Avenue and Mineral Point Road, from Midvale Boulevard to Franklin Avenue.

Public Information Meetings & Sessions

• Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan Listening Session, Monday, November 20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Please spread the word and join the Stormwater Utility for a public listening session as part of development of the Stormwater Vegetation Management Plan. There are three opportunities to attend these listening sessions, with two in-person listening sessions and one online listening session.

West Side: November 20, 2023 at Sequoya Library at 6:00 PM located at 4340 Tokay Blvd., Madison, WI 53711. Please register for this meeting at this link on Eventbrite so we can make sure we have enough chairs and tables. There is no fee or ticket required to attend.

Announcements & News Releases

• City Leaders Honor World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: Calls for support and action for safer streets: Thursday, November 16, a group gathered in front of a memorial display located on the 100 block of State Street to hold a press conference in honor of those who have lost their lives on Madison’s streets in the past 5 years. 
• City’s Fire Station 6 to Become Childcare Facility in Madison College Goodman South Campus Expansion : The City of Madison and Madison College are announcing a plan to transfer ownership of Fire Station No. 6, 825 Badger Road, to Madison College for an expansion of the Goodman South Campus that will include a childcare facility. A draft agreement…
• World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims: Sunday, November 19, 2023, marks World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The City will join community partners from the Vision Zero Task Force in honoring victims of traffic crashes, and their families.
• Mayor’s Statement on 2024 Budget Adoption: I want to thank the Common Council for their work to pass a budget that continues to invest in our critical community services and infrastructure.

Streets Division Updates

• Thanksgiving Holiday Trash/Recycling Schedule: Make sure you know how the Thanksgiving holiday will (or won’t) affect your trash & recycling pickup schedule.  Get your collection schedule at  www.cityofmadison.com/CollectionSchedule.
• Drop Off Site Hours & Locations Change After Thanksgiving: Check the drop-off site hours and locations before loading your car.  The Olin Avenue location’s final day of operation is November 26. Winter hours start at the remaining locations later in the week, too.  Drop-off site information is available at  www.cityofmadison.com/DropOffSites. 

Events

• Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith Service, Monday, November 20, 6pm-8pm: The Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance honoring the memory of those whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. We gather to remember, and we will continue to gather until we are all accepted for just being us, human beings. Memorial United Church of Christ in Fitchburg shares this solemn day of remembrance with many interfaith partners and is proud to be the host congregation for this event this year.
• Yoga Core, Tuesdays & Fridays, October 6 through December 15, 2023:  Want to build your strength and increase body awareness? Yoga Core is great way to do it! This class incorporates a wide variety of seated, standing, balancing, and mat-based yoga poses focusing on strength, stability, and mobility. Core-based practices can help enhance balance and stability and prevent falls and injuries as we age. All levels are welcome! * No Class: October 10, 20, 27 and November 7 and 24
• Bird & Nature Adventures at the Edna Taylor Conservation Park, Saturday, November 25, 10:00 am – 11:30 am: Join a naturalist for an easy family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the 4th Saturday, 10-11:30am of each month and begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children's Shack. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Madison Audubon Society , and Aldo Leopold Nature Center . No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Capital High Ribbon Cutting and Tour, November 28, 5:15pm, to be followed by the Regent Neighborhood Association General Membership Meeting. Please RSVP for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful Thanksgiving holiday,

Regina Vidaver