Weier not running for re-election

Northside Alder Anita Weier has decided not to seek re-election to the 18th District seat on the Madison City Council.
 
A retired journalist, she was first elected in 2011 over two opponents and then re-elected without opposition in 2013.
 
“I have been honored to serve. I have met and worked with so many fine people on the Northside during my time in office. I also continue to be impressed by the professionalism and hard work of city employees and Council members,” Weier said.
 
She is proud of achieving many goals, including stopping construction of a 96,000-square-foot warehouse on a residential street next to Troy Gardens, working with the school district to establish a community garden at Vera Court, and helping to bring a UW Credit Union branch to Northport Drive.
 
“But being an alderwoman is a 24-7 job being responsible for the day-to-day concerns of about 12,000 people, in a way that higher level officials are not. Sidewalks, trees, water, sewers, community gardens, traffic signals, stop signs, crosswalks, bus stops, deteriorating buildings, disputes between neighbors, gang fights – are just some of the issues that have kept me awake at night,” Weier said.
 
“I could have continued working for and fighting for the district -- if not for the sheer number of city meetings that limit the time available for actual accomplishment.”
 
Council work has averaged 25 to 30 hours per week, much of it consumed by her service on eight city committees, one subcommittee and one executive committee. “Many times I have left a city meeting to rush to a district or neighborhood meeting, making it difficult to prepare adequately for either one,” Weier said. “Dinner with my husband is rare, and I have no time for writing, which I miss.”
 
The city has 55 standing committees plus 12 ad hoc committees, with at least two more being formed. The current 67 committees include 10 related to transportation as well as others whose functions overlap. Merging and cutting committees – which are intended to provide citizen input but often include the same citizens -- would be one big step toward making Council service more effective.