What makes Madison and Dane County a great place to live? The lakes, farms and rolling hills, family-friendly activities like bicycling, neighborhood and ethnic celebrations, a clean environment, and services that help kids, families and the elderly. I’m sure you could add to the list.
The recent census counted 426,000 people now living in Dane County—about half in the City of Madison and half in the cities, villages and towns outside of Madison. Over the last 10 years we added more people that any other Wisconsin county!
By taking a sensible approach to growth, we can keep our downtowns and neighborhoods healthy by slowing sprawl and offering residents a range of travel and affordable housing choices. We are studying how alternative means of transportation, such as commuter rail, might ease traffic congestion and help people get to their jobs.
I welcome your ideas on ways to help keep Dane County a great place to
live. Here’s an update on some events, attractions and projects
we’re working on now.
·
New Farmer’s
Market. Check out the new Farmer's
Market at The Villager
Mall, 2202 South Park Street. The
market started June 23, and is open
Tuesdays from 2:30 to 6 p.m., and
Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A
$10,000
Grant from Dane County makes this Farmer's Market possible.
· Dane Dances!: The second season of Dane Dances! will take place on the rooftop of Monona Terrace to provide a place for all races and ethnicities to come together to dance, and have fun! The dances are free and will feature fabulous bands. The dances are 5:30 to 9 p.m. on the following Fridays: August 3 (Madisalsa), August 10 (Clyde Stubblefield), August 17 (Eddie Butts), and August 24 (Reptile Palace Orchestra).
· Kids’ Activities: Our Youth Commission awarded 12 new grants that will provide positive activities for youths. For example, the Madison Girl Neighborhood Power program received $3,000 to develop 12 double-Dutch jump roping teams involving up to 100 kids on a weekly basis. Other funding sponsors field trips, a teen newspaper, children’s theatre, and mentoring and tutoring for math, science and technology for teens.
· Visiting the Zoo: A special treat for kids and adults at the free, Dane County Henry Vilas Zoo this summer is the opportunity to see a rare, baby Orangutan born in February, and a young giraffe born last December. We are excited about constructing a new aviary, entitled, “The Fragile Web,” that will provide a rainforest experience for visitors. Look for its completion next spring.
· Cleaner lakes. Let’s keep our lakes clean enough for swimming! After much study and work, a county-wide stormwater management ordinance, designed to help protect lakes and streams from pollution carried by rainfall and snowmelt running off of fields, roofs, roads and parking lots, is now before the County Board. A vote is expected this summer, and I hope the Board passes this much-needed ordinance!
· Improving Childcare: Mayor Sue Bauman and I announced a special $250,000 Child Care Compensation Initiative this spring to improve the quality of child care by boosting the income of many child care workers. Some 400 child care spaces in Madison were lost last year because they couldn’t be staffed. We need to keep talented and caring people from leaving child care jobs simply for better pay. We are also targeting $68,000 to help Hispanic child care providers get certification classes and training.
If you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please contact me at 266-4114. Enjoy your summer in Dane County!
- Kathleen Falk, Dane County
Executive