Week of May 25, 2026
postedDistrict Niners,
Last week the quarterly and annual reports from the MPD, the PCOB and the OIM were presented to the legislative body of the City of Madison. Without delving into the “she said/he did/she did" incident between the PCOB Chair and the MPD chronology and specifics, my focus here addresses ethical concerns and a lack of awareness, judgment, personal biases, the need for recusal or whatever else you choose to call it on the part of the OIM.
Given the nature of the role of the PCOB (to hire and supervise the OIM,) and the role of the OIM (to monitor, assess police practices and procedures, facilitate community engagement, collect and analyze data, etc.), it is mind-boggling to try to understand and trust the decision made by the OIM absent objectivity, fairness and transparency, especially in this case when the principal player happens to be the Chair of the PCOB. To ensure fairness, community trust, objectivity, etc., the OIM should have recused herself and not touched this case with a 50-foot pole.
Both parties, the PCOB chair and the OIM were asked a series of questions about the reports and questions related to ethical dilemmas following their reports. Neither addressed nor had an awareness of the appearance of impropriety, justifications for conclusions drawn or short-term or long-term implications for citizens who could encounter a similar fate. Fairness and impartiality were nowhere to be found by the PCOB chair or the OIM. Was the fox guarding the hen house?
Oversight demands Impartiality period! What happened to integrity? How much community or public trust did or will we lose? What is the cost of perception? Are there instances or a need for “external bodies" to investigate cases such as these? There is a great need for written ethical standards. We can and we must do better!
Updates and Notices
The City of Madison's administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, for Memorial Day.
Boards, Commissions & Committee Meetings
Note: This is not a complete list of meetings for this upcoming week. All meetings and their details can be found at the Meeting Schedule page.
- Joint Campus Area Committee: The Joint Campus Area Committee meeting will take place on Thursday, May 28, at 4:45 p.m. in virtual format. Agenda items include an update on the Regent Street reconstruction.
If you would like more information about becoming a member of a City board, commission, or committee, please visit the page linked here.
Public Information Meetings (PIMs)
- Public Information Meeting: South Point Public Works Facility, Thursday, May 28, 2026: A public information meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m., May 28, 2026, via Zoom. Registration is required. This meeting is intended for the public to attend to learn more about the South Point Public Works Facility project.
Announcements & News Releases
- Metro Service Reduced on Monday, May 25: Buses operate Sunday schedules on Monday, May 25.
- The 2026 Spring Yard Waste Collection is Over, Curbside Set-Out Dates Return in the Fall: Do not set out yard waste and leaves for curbside collection again this spring. There is no curbside pickup of yard waste and leaves during the summer months.
- No Streets Division Collections on Monday, May 25, 2026 in Observance of Memorial Day: There will be no recycling, trash, brush, or large item collections performed by the City of Madison Streets Division on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Streets Division drop-off sites and offices will also be closed in observance of Memorial Day.
- MPD crisis negotiators take part in conference, trainings: Between conferences and trainings, it was a week of continued education for members of the Madison Police Department's Crisis Negotiating Team. On Wednesday, members attended the Wisconsin Crisis Negotiators Association's spring training conference.
- Nature Everywhere Day Returns to Madison June 5–7: The Nature Everywhere initiative is building nature-based programs in public libraries, supporting teachers through grants, providing resources to families, and advocating for more nature play across the region.
- 26th Annual Book Club Café to Feature Bestselling Author Paula McLain at Madison Public Library
Please visit the City news webpage to find additional news and announcements and to subscribe to receive notification of news releases as they are posted.
Events
- Frank Lloyd Wright House Concert Tour - Monona Terrace, Wednesday, May 27, 2026:Grammy Award-winning cellist, singer, and composer Mike Block brings his dynamic solo show to Monona Terrace's Lecture Hall for an exclusive, free performance.
- School Vaccination Clinic at Holtzman Center, Saturday, May 30, 2026: In partnership with SSM Health, GHC, UW-Health, and Madison Metropolitan School District, Public Health Madison & Dane County is offering free vaccines for school aged kids 5 and older.
- Summer Nights, Saturday, May 30, 2026: Summer Nights at Westmorland Park features and exciting family friendly line-up of entertainers and musical performers.
Additional upcoming events can also be found on the City events calendar.
Your well-being
Many years ago, I met Joe Mantegna (a famous Chicago actor) at a Cubs game at Wrigley field in Chicago after I fell and banged up my leg on a step. I was remined of that scar by a kid a few days ago when she asked, “what happened to your leg?" I then remembered a phrase uttered by Joe Mantegna (the actor) who said to me: “Scars remind us of where we have been, they don't have to dictate where we are going." How prophetic!
Until next time, take care.
Joann
