Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Award in Public Discourse Winner is Patty Prime

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced today that Patty Prime is the recipient of the 2019
Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award.

The award was created by the Common Council to honor Madison residents who exemplify Jeff
Erlanger’s model of fairness, openness, and civility in public discourse. Jeff, who passed away
in 2007, was committed to public service. He understood that through civil debate and effective
representation those with varying opinions could come together on how to solve issues within
the community. Mr. Erlanger served on the City of Madison’s Economic Development
Commission and chaired the Commission on People with Disabilities as well as the Board of
Directors of the Community Living Alliance.

This year’s award winner, Patty Prime, has served as the President of the Tenney-Lapham
Neighborhood Association for five years and has guided the neighborhood through intensive
development issues, greenspace preservation, planned for comprehensive transportation safety,
worked to retain ash trees in neighborhood parks and stewarded the development of over 89
existing units of housing and an additional 100 units of affordable housing.

“Being a member of the team that selects the Civility in Public Discourse Award has been a
highlight of my year,” said Pam Erlanger, Jeff’s mother. “I am so pleased to present the award
to Patty Prime as she clearly has been a leader in Madison, stepping up and facilitating
productive conversations often with folks who don’t agree on an issue. We need more
community leaders like her.”

“I have known Patty for a number of years,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. It is humbling to
honor Jeff’s memory with this award and I think Patty is an excellent choice. Her work in
bringing neighbors together for the betterment of our community is just what Jeff strived to do. I
am sure he would be pleased with this selection.”

Patty was nominated by Bob Klebba who stated, “Patty Prime sets the standard for civil
discourse. Her leadership of neighborhood meetings has allowed all attendees to communicate
freely without prejudice. Her efficient direction of communication and selfless style have
greatly benefited Tenney–Lapham and the City. Moreover, her example has encouraged me and
others with whom I serve to continue to volunteer for the promotion and betterment of our
neighborhood and Madison”.

This year for the first time, as the result of the establishment of a fund within the Madison
Community Foundation, the awardee and the nominator are able to designate a $250 contribution
to the non-profit of their choice. Patty Prime has selected The Road Home, Dane County as her
choice and Bob Klebba has selected OutReach LGBT Community Center.

The Erlanger Award is an annual recognition and will be presented at the December 3, 2019
Common Council meeting, which is the closest meeting to Jeffrey Erlanger’s birthday of
November 30.
 

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