Dear Neighbors:
Recently the City has published a very handsome book, Building Blocks: Improvement Projects for Madison's Neighborhoods. This book is a real "Junior Woodchuck Manual" that effectively fills the gap between paper and people. The chapters provide not only description, services and process, but also step-by-step guidance. It details the accomplishments of individual neighborhoods, including several accomplishments from this neighborhood.

This book is highly recommended for those who want to know how to go about in the most effective way to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with the City and their neighbors. Building Blocks is available at a cost of $9.50 plus tax from Planning and Development, Room LL-100, 215 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.

Currently plans are being laid for the upcoming Neighborhood Conference this October. TLNA Council member Tim Olsen represented us at the recent planning session. Neighborhood resident Cheryl Wittke is serving as Conference Coordinator. It is my hope we will be able to provide more detailed information both before and after the conference in future issues of the newsletter.

Since the middle of October a committee (R-2 Zoning code Advisory Committee) appointed by the Mayor has been meeting to provide input regarding standards and the process of granting variances and to consider possible amendments to the Zoning code. The work of this group may have far reaching effects on older neighborhoods, such as ours. Couple this with the selection of a new director for the City Building Inspection Unit and the potential for real positive change is strong! Further, the City has out a RFP for a consultant to study the delivery of inspection services. The goal is to improve the code enforcement system to accomplish what neighborhoods and businesses want, work with the City Neighborhood Resource Teams, and to include but not be limited to a study of the issue of consolidation of Fire and Building Inspection services. The Neighborhood Association will closely follow this process and will provide an account in these columns.

In parting - as the weather improves I should be able to see more of you in my role as chair of the membership committee. Please take the time to fill out your forms and get them back to me. Your courtesy on this saves me the time that I can then use to see others so their dues can be renewed in a timely fashion and we can recruit new members. Your participation both monetarily and by your chosen activity benefits the entire neighborhood.

Until the next issue,
Richard Linster