Voting updates, Budget referenda info – great video from Eve Galanter, Events & Announcements

Hello neighbors,

I recently participated in an elections security webinar. There are a lot of efforts by foreign and domestic actors to disrupt our elections in a variety of ways. I want to ensure your right to vote is not infringed:

• If you read on social media that your polling place is closed, under threat, without power, etc., don’t believe it, and don’t repeat it. All information on our City polling places will be updated on the City’s website at https://www.cityofmadison.com/news.
• If you read on social media that there are issues with other states’ elections, don’t believe it, and don’t repeat it. Use only trusted news sources that you go to directly, without going through a link. CNN.com, Washingtonpost.com, NYTimes.com, APnews.com, and npr.org are examples of trusted sites in the national media, and channel3000.com, wmtv15news.com, wkow.com, and wpr.org are examples of trusted local media sites (NOTE: This list is not meant to be inclusive).
• Early in-person absentee voting is open. You can review the list of polling sites and times. This option is available until November 3.
• If you are returning an absentee ballot by mail, please do so as soon as possible to ensure it reaches the Clerk’s office in time to be counted on November 5. You can also use Madison’s secure drop boxes.
• Please double check your polling site if you will be voting on Election Day. For myself, my polling place was temporarily changed to Capital High for the August election, but has returned to West High for November 5.
• What to Know About Observers: Voters may notice individuals wearing Election Observer badges at in-person absentee voting sites or at the polls. Wisconsin allows anyone to observe the voting process as long as they are not a candidate on the ballot.

City Budget Referendum

• I was pleased to attend the Wisconsin Policy Forum-mediated event last week discussing the City of Madison and Madison Metropolitan School District referenda. You can view the video of that event if you missed it.
• The Wisconsin Policy Forum has released their analysis of the City of Madison’s referendum. The press release is a very short summary of their findings.
• Our former Alder, Eve Galanter, has done an explanatory video with Madison’s Finance Director on the topic. If you have limited time, I’d recommend this video to view, as Eve asks hard-hitting questions that get to the heart of the issues.

Events

• UW Homecoming Parade, Friday, October 25: The UW Homecoming Parade is a cherished tradition that unites the Badger family, combining the energy of our talented student groups and the warmth of our local community. As the sun sets on Oct. 25th, the heart of Madison will come alive with the joyful sounds of the UW Marching Band, the creativity of spirited floats, and the enthusiasm of participants and spectators alike. The parade begins at approximately 6:00pm. The following streets will be closed:
  • Langdon Street, Lake Street to Wisconsin Avenue, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
  • Wisconsin Avenue, Langdon Street to W Gilman Street, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm
  • A lane will be kept open for access to the Edgewater Hotel
  • W Gilman Street, State Street to Wisconsin Avenue, from 5:00pm to 7:30pm
  • Northbound N Lake Street, University Avenue to Langdon Street, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
• Warner Family Fun Night - Halloween Special, Friday, October 25: Join us for a special Halloween Family Fun Night! The fun begins with hayrides around Warner Park, 5-6pm, Family Fun Night inside WPCRC, 5-8pm, then a free, outdoor movie starting at 6pm. All kids aged 11 and under must be accompanied by an adult for all activities.
• There will be a fly-by in advance of the football game on Saturday, October 26 at 3pm.
• Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor, Saturday, October 26: 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. Walk will begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children's Shack. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Badgerland Bird Alliance, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center . No registration is required. No pets are allowed.
• Seed Collecting at Odana Hills Golf Course, Saturday, October 26: Join us at Odana Hills Golf Course for a seed collection event as we work to expand Madison's natural areas using seeds from our own land! It's a unique opportunity to gather native seeds while enjoying the beauty of the golf course. By collecting seeds from local plants, we're helping preserve our ecosystem and support more natural growth across the city. Plus, it’s a fun way to connect with nature—right in the heart of the course! Whether you’re a golf enthusiast or just love the outdoors, come help us “grow” our green spaces, one seed at a time!
• Kids, come in costume to trick-or-treat at Monroe Street Library, and up and down Monroe Street, all day this Sat., Oct. 26. Your adults can vote, and register to vote, from 10 - 4. No costumes needed for them - just a photo ID (and proof of residence if they need to register to vote).
• BEWARE! First Baptist Church will be holding its first TRUNK or TREAT in the church parking lot 518 N. Franklin Avenue on Sun., Oct. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. Come one, come all, join the free family-friendly fun as we welcome friends in the neighborhood. Come in costume for "trick or treating" from decorated car trunks, parade in your costume in the CAKE WALK, and enjoy other games. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Halloween on the Green approaches! At 4:30 on Sunday October 27th, we'll meet at the Hillington Green triangle park to parade, photograph, and partake of pizza. That means it's time to start organizing pizza orders and who's bringing sides, desserts, tables, etc. If you plan to attend, please open this spreadsheet and record your family's pizza order (second tab) and what additional food or supplies you can bring (first tab). Pizza orders are due by 1 pm on the 27th; please take note of your payment options listed in the spreadsheet.
• Inspired by Wright: Tour & Art Making Activity, Sunday, October 27: Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center and discover how Wright saw geometric shapes in the world around him.  You’ll learn how Monona Terrace’s unique landscape influenced his choice of geometry, expressed in nearly every aspect of the building. Then, use this newly gained knowledge to create your own Wright-inspired glass piece of art.
• Celebrate Native Nations during the Teejop & Beyond Program Series at Madison Public Library this Fall: Teejop & Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations, a program created by Madison Public Library in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison, will return to libraries across Madison with a variety of innovative events.
• Make peace garlands with a letterpress at Monroe Street Library on Sat., Nov. 2 eitherat 2 p.m. OR 3 p.m. Each session will have VERY limited enrollment - 5 people each, so please register soon if you would like to take part. This program is designed for adults and for kids ages 8 and older.
• The Fair Housing Center of Greater Madison is offering a free in-person fair housing training seminar for owners and managers of rental properties, or staff operating shelters or residential programs, in Madison. Please note that this training is intended for housing providers, not housing consumers or members of the general public. 
  Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 6- 8 p.m. Pinney Branch of the Madison Public Library- 516 Cottage Grove Rd.
  The seminar will include information about the protected classes and prohibited practices delineated by local, state, and federal fair housing laws, as well as reasonable accommodations and modifications for tenants with disabilities. 
  If you need materials in alternate formats or other accommodations to access our services, please call 414-278-1240.

For the full list of upcoming events, please visit the City events calendar.

Announcements

• Due to the ongoing construction project, there will be no yard waste collection on Stevens Street between N. Franklin and Grand Ave this week. Paving should happen in about 4 weeks. If paving is completed as scheduled, the third and final scheduled yard waste collection for these two blocks should occur as planned. If this isn’t possible, residents are encouraged to compost their leaves on site, or take them to a drop off location.
• Friends of Hoyt Park is conducting a short survey to gather your feedback about recent changes implemented by City of Madison Parks. These changes involve the establishment of a managed meadow near the Sunset Point Overlook area of the Park in the Oak Savanna. This reduces fossil fuel emissions, increases pollinator habitat, and protects our aging urban forest canopy. Your replies are anonymous and survey results will be shared with City of Madison Parks for future planning.
• City staff will provide an update on the Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan at the October 30, 2024 Board of Public Works Meeting. This presentation will include a summary of consultant recommendations related to public concerns identified through the public engagement process. For detailed information on the public engagement process and summary, the volunteer technical experts questionnaire, and the focus group workshop visit  Stormwater Utility Vegetation Management Plan.

Be well,

Regina Vidaver