Brenda Konkel
My experience and knowledge of the issues will allow me to step in and represent the district with a very small learning curve. Many first-time alders spend their first term learning the process and procedures of the Common Council before they are able to effectively represent their district. I've attended over 80% of the Common Council meetings in the past two years (unpaid), have participated in discussions in over 25 different committees/boards/commissions, been appointed by Mayor Soglin and Bauman to various City Committees (Backyard Parking Implementation Committee, Arrest & Conviction Record Task Force, Equal Opportunities Housing Committee) and am familiar with community leaders and activists, as well as city staff and I will be able to hit the ground running. I have already had a huge impact on City policy regarding the TIF policy, electronic filing of campaign finance reports, lobbyist registration policies, opening up the process for public participants, countless tenant/landlord ordinances and the affordable housing discussions.
All this means I can instantly step in and make sure the needs and concerns of the second district are heard. Neighborhood input is crucial in city policy making, and I will constantly seek the input and feedback of 2nd district residents to guide my work on the Council. I've lived here in the district for 9 years as a homeowner and as a renter. I know the issues that impact our neighborhoods and I talk regularly with folks from throughout the district. In short, serving as your Alder will allow me to continue working on neighborhood issues, just as I have for the past 5 years in the Old Marketplace Neighborhood Association, including being the immediate past president.
I've worked hard to make sure WE have a voice in city policy decisions and I will continue to do so. I will be an activist Common Council member and continue to have my passion for making good policy that supports a vision for City of Madison where everyone can afford to live and participate in a meaningful way in our local government.
Affordable housing, campaign finance reform (including walking the walk on campaign reform by self-imposing several spending and fundraising limits on my campaign, see my pledge at http://www.brendakonkel.org/Issues/Campaign_Finance_Reform/campaign_finance_reform.html), and open and accessible government are citywide issues that are on the top of my list. Madison metro and city budget issues in general aren't far behind. Please also see my web page.
Regarding the city budget: I favor using the room tax to go to social infrastructure, not glossy ads to promote tourism that is already flowing to our city. I'm concerned about talk of a sales tax and would only support it if it doesn't apply to essentials such as food, clothing, shelter costs. I'd support a wheel tax or tax on parking lot spaces. I'm concerned about the growing user fees in areas such as parks facilities, Monona Terrace, Warner Park, and our libraries that make using public facilities cost prohibitive for the community. I'm against further privatization of city functions unless the wages paid to the lowest paid workers are reasonable - exceeding the living wage in cases where it is necessary. Consolidation of services with the county should be explored, but have to be done in a way in which the City Services continue to be a high quality service.
The most important issue for the second district is how it develops over the next five to ten years. Major decisions related to redevelopment of the East Washington Avenue corridor, the Yahara River Parkway and rail planning will all be made in the next term. I will make sure the people who live in the second district play a major role in determining how these projects affect our neighborhoods.
I'll work with my constituents to make sure new planning and development results in neighborhoods that foster community where both homeowners and tenants can enjoy a high quality of life.
We need to make sure the Yahara River Parkway plan is funded and fully implemented, and I will push for a safer way for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross East Washington Avenue. During reconstruction of the East Washington corridor, neighborhoods need to be heard throughout the process. The BUILD commission plan has welcomed neighborhood input and they listened to our concerns. I think the final recommendations will enhance our neighborhoods as well as the corridor. Next we need to be sure that neighborhoods are respected during actual reconstruction, especially when it comes to diverting traffic through the district. First and foremost we need to keep our residential streets safe for pedestrians.
No matter how you feel about high-speed rail, we can all agree that the process has been horribly flawed. I will continue to seek the opinions of residents throughout the district and, if elected, will demand that the second district be informed and heard throughout the decision-making process.
And as we head into the contentious redistricting process we need to set partisan squabbling aside and do our best to keep neighborhoods together and fully represented.
I think my experience, and my effectiveness, as evidenced by the things I've accomplished on city policy by working with everyone, even those with whom I don't always agree, will make me a very effective representative of the second district.
Here's a bit more about my experience:
Community organizations and political affiliations: Social Justice Center Board Member, Community Shares of Wisconsin Board Member, Old Market Place Neighborhood Association (5 years board member, immediate past president, chair Development Committee) Affordable Housing Action Alliance co-founder, HOMES, Dane County Affordable Housing Coalition, NAACP, Lucha, Community Gardener, Progressive Dane (co-chair, policy, housing, clean government, elections, leadership, steering, supervisory committees), Wisconsin Green Party Member, Dane County Democrat Party member, Nader WI Steering Committee
Former Memberships: Wisconsin Housing Coalition, Wisconsin Coalition to End Homelessness, Dane County Coalition to End Homelessness, Renters Services Committee
Committee Appointments: Backyard Parking Implementation Committee, EOC Housing Task Force, Arrest and Conviction Record Task Force, WI Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Ad Hoc Committee on Residential Rental Practices, Ad Hoc Committee on Mobile Home Rental Practices and Ad Hoc Committee on Carpet Cleaning Regulations.