1) Why do you think you
are the best candidate for this seat?
I
moved to Madison in 1984 to attend the University and have never left this
great community. I believe I can
bring a real energy, enthusiasm and a new outlook to the Madison Council, and
am the best candidate for this seat for three reasons: a proven track record of
getting things done, independence and a vision of a better neighborhood for
everyone—regardless of income or age.
Over
the years, I have played an active role in downtown Madison by helping build
better neighborhoods. In building
two new structures, and renovating over 30 houses, I’ve successfully
proven that I can achieve progress through compromise and working with a broad
coalition of interests. Through
these projects, I have delivered diverse housing options for people of varying
income levels and ages. I am also
proud of the fact that I have helped deliver 10 affordable housing units, while
at the same time providing 100 jobs, all without government subsidies. In addition, I have provided
neighborhood-enhancing amenities like a fitness center, café, hair
salons and entertainment venues, true focal points of the neighborhood.
There
are three distinct and unique neighborhoods that comprise the 2nd
Aldermanic District: Mansion Hill, Old Market Place and the Tenney-Lapham
neighborhoods. Each of these
neighborhoods demonstrates unique qualities, a true independence and a fierce
determination to protect the character of their area. I too have that independence, and am not beheld to local
political organizations, powerful social agendas or well-funded special
interests. I would represent the 2nd
Aldermanic District with what is most important in mind…our
neighborhood. Making
our neighborhood great can’t take a back seat to a promise to a local
political organization to promote their agenda, or the advancement of personal
causes at a cost to the quality of life we all enjoy. Electing someone that
isn’t afraid to stand up to political organizations, or special interests
demonstrates the independence that our area is known for. Let’s leave politics for the
career politicians, and together we can build better neighborhoods.
Finally,
I have a proactive vision for downtown Madison that not only protects the
uniqueness of our neighborhoods, but also enhances the quality of life we all
enjoy. My vision involves safer
neighborhoods where you feel as safe outside of your home as you do in it. Recently, the Madison Police Department
released a report detailing a 6.8% rise in level one crimes (murder, forcible
rape, robbery, aggravated assault/burglary, theft and stolen vehicles) over the
past year in the downtown area. In
fact, central Madison had the highest rate per 1000 of violent crime in all of
Madison, and the third highest rate per 1000 of property crimes. I will help neighborhoods establish
neighborhood crime watch programs while further developing relationships with
local law enforcement.
In
addition, I will work with neighbors and law enforcement officials alike to
provide better traffic controls in key residential areas. Better marked pedestrian crossings and
slower traffic makes for safer neighborhoods. We need to work together to make our streets safe by both
fighting crime and controlling traffic. I will work to make sure that our
police department has both the enforcement tools and funding to address these
key issues.
2) When I moved into this
neighborhood twenty years ago, I was able to afford a house on my blue-collar
salary. Now I could never afford to buy a house with my current
salary. How would you address the issue of affordable housing in
this neighborhood and the city both from a renter's and a home-owner's
perspective?
Twenty
years ago, you could hardly give a house away in the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood,
and now it has become one of the most desirable single-family neighborhoods in
all of Madison. When I moved to
downtown Madison in 1984, the average price of a home was $40,000.00 to
$50,000.00. Those prices have
dramatically increased as we all know, creating great appreciation in home
values, specifically appreciation rates nearly 3 times the rate of inflation
for the better part of the past 20 years. Such appreciation further
demonstrates the popularity of the neighborhood, a truly great place to live
and raise a family. This
unrealistic level of appreciation ultimately serves to make all of our housing
less affordable.
We
need to be careful and creative in our pursuit of additional housing to meet
the varied housing demands. I will
serve to protect the single-family structure of the Tenney Lapham Neighborhood
while encouraging the enhancement and improvement of the existing multi-family homes that add to the quality and
diversity of the neighborhoods.
The
Mansion Hill Neighborhood speaks for itself with the splendor of its
architecture. I will serve to
protect the integrity of this historic neighborhood, recognizing the value of
preservation efforts.
Old
Market Neighborhood is in much more of a transition than the other two
neighborhoods, with only 3.5 % of the current housing being owner
occupied. I will continue to work
with the neighborhood association to determine where new housing may be
appropriate. I will also work with developers to guarantee that new housing
options fit within the fabric of the neighborhood while providing real housing
options for people of all income and age ranges.
Any
long term resident will notice not only the lack of affordable choices for
low-income residents but also the severe shortage of homes for working families
with moderate incomes. While there
is very little ability to control the cost of homes in the district, there are
opportunities to take a proactive involvement by making good choices of where
our new housing is provided. Good choices
through neighbor-involved decision-making will help to address the limited
housing choices. Currently, lack
of new choices coupled with an increased desirability to live in this area,
have further driven demand with limited supply, hence forcing higher prices.
This can change, as we have incredible opportunities along the East Washington
corridor. Proactive thinking
regarding new development particularly along the East Washington corridor can
provide additional housing and retail options, helping meet increased market
demand. I look forward to bringing
both experience and a vision to the housing process where we can work together,
protect our existing housing stock and neighborhood integrity, while meeting
the increased housing demands.
Affordable
housing for low-income neighbors provides its own unique challenge. We have a large number of efficiencies
and one bedroom housing units at $624/month in the district that fall into the
area of affordable housing priced at 50% of Dane County Median Income. This is a small consolation for
residents who need real affordable choices. With your support, during my first term I pledge to
deliver 100 affordable units.
Approximately 80% of this promise will come from existing units where I
will initiate a partnership between housing providers, service providers,
government agencies and end users.
I have delivered affordable housing in the past, working with renters in
need of help, and believe more can be done. I will put my experience to work, and together we can make a
real difference in someone’s life.
Owner
occupied homes in the downtown until the past 5 years have been relatively
affordable. The fact that we are
seeing huge increases in value speaks to the relatively newfound popularity of
our neighborhoods. Until the past
year, all new downtown condominium housing had been subsidized through city Tax
Incremental Financing or some other subsidy. Typical subsidies have been $20,000 to $40,000 per
condominium unit. The current higher market rates of condominiums are just now
making it possible to have sales prices support construction costs without any
subsidy. I will work to assure
that any subsidy supporting home ownership does not exceed income levels of 70%
to 80% of the Dane County Median Income.
Housing
affordability at any level requires the maximum efficiency of resources from
all spectrums of the housing process.
I will work to bring maximum efficiency and cooperation from neighbors
and neighborhood associations, developers, landlords, the planning department
and other government departments for the benefit of all.
3) Who are you supporting
for mayor and why?
I
am currently undecided in the general mayoral election, and look forward to a
spirited and healthy debate, helping me decide who will do the best job for
Madison. In the past I have
supported Paul Soglin, but have had a chance to listen and meet Dave Cieslewicz
and believe he will make a final decision for me very difficult. I believe either
of these candidates will make a great mayor, and look forward to working with
the winner of the April election.
4) Grafitti is on the
rise. Do you have any new ideas?
Graffiti seems to have gone
from bad to worse. We have been
working to abate graffiti through our city abatement programs and the issue has
been a common topic at our Old Market Place Neighborhood meetings. Good communication with the
building inspection unit and property owners is essential, as is the need for
quick cleanup. Products for
proactive pre-damage application that make clean up easier also help. I look forward to working with the
neighborhoods and building inspection unit to get the best information quickly
to those victims of this vandalism.
I also plan to work closely with the central district police command for
the best possible follow up for prosecution. In addition, I would begin discussions with the police force
to see if they have the enforcement tools necessary, and if punishments are
strong enough to act as a true deterrent.
5) Do you think it's
appropriate for the common council to take positions on national affairs? Why?
Madison’s Common
Council has a long history of debating national affairs. Current national affairs have further
heightened awareness and launched a country into what I believe to be a healthy
debate on our international agenda.
This is unlikely to change soon.
I encourage and expect everyone to speak their mind on these important
issues; it’s the constitutional right of every American. We have fantastic representation in
Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin and Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl. I
encourage steady communication through these elected officials on national
affairs. I believe the best way
for our council to be effective is for city leaders to set priorities and to
concentrate on areas where as a council we can be most effective. We have important and difficult budget,
housing and transportation issues before the council, creating long lasting
effects on our neighborhoods. When
I am elected, I will put our neighborhoods first and work to resolve real
problems for our neighbors and city.
6) Is there anything else
you would like to say?
I am running because I
believe that we live in a good neighborhood, and together we can make it
great. Soon, my wife and I will be
expecting our first child. In
planning for this exciting arrival we decided that downtown Madison is the
place we wanted to raise our family.
In getting our home ready for our family and in talking with neighbors
as all proud parents do, I realized that there is work to be done outside of
our home to help make our neighborhood the best place to raise a family.
To date, I have knocked on
over 3,000 doors, spending time discussing important issues with many of
you. This campaign has been
a great opportunity to learn more about our neighborhoods, and in doing so
I’ve come to realize that good things are worth fighting for. With your support, I will put my proven
track record, independence and vision to work for better neighborhoods. Together, I believe we can achieve that
quality of life we all want.
Let’s leave politics for the politicians, and work together to
make our neighborhoods a place where our kids never want to leave. Please vote on April 1.
-Erik
Minton
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Spring 2003 Table of Contents