The boundaries of District 1 in the Madison Common Council
The first aldermanic district in Madison covers the farthest southwest corner of Madison, roughly the neighborhoods south of the Beltline and west of Whitney Way and Raymond Road. The incumbent Jed Sanborn is being challenged by Aaron Backer in the April 3 election.
Aaron Backer, the challenger in the race, ran previously in 2005, finishing third in the primary. He is 35 years old, and has worked for 12 years in human services, ten years at Briarpatch and one year as the vice-president of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County. He has lived in Madison for 11 years, the last five in his home in District 1.
Jed Sanborn is the incumbent, having first been elected to the seat in 2005. Also 35 years old and a UW-Madison graduate, he worked for two years as a golf pro and the last ten as an accountant. Sanborn has lived in Madison for 16 years, the last ten in District 1.
The Daily Page conducted an email Q&A with each candidate, asking them for responses to six basic questions and eight quick-fire responses to simple choices.
Their responses follow below.
Aaron Backer
The Daily Page: Please identify what you consider to be the most important issue in your district and what you are going to do about it.
Backer: The most pressing issue is the impact of rapid growth in our area. Because District 1 is a great place to live and more and more development is occurring, increasing traffic, noise and less safety. I believe that we need more community-based policing, so that officers are a vital partner in our neighborhoods. I will also work collaboratively with neighboring alders and surrounding communities to develop a working 'vision' with input from residents, of course.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
I think that the City of Madison is moving in the right direction, especially by developing resources such as the Office of Business Resources. I think that partnerships and dialogues with business groups, such as Downtown Madison, Inc., are very beneficial. However, I think that such types of relationships need to move out beyond downtown and the city can do more to help small and family-owned businesses.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
I don't think it is a good idea to rule any of these options out. I believe that a comprehensive approach to transportation is the best direction. I support increasing bike trails and creating new trails, as well as continuing to make it safer for bicyclists to ride on streets. It is important to invest in the Metro system, but also to look into partnerships and cooperative relationships with groups, such as labor groups.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
The city should continue to add to the affordable housing trust fund and look at the data from inclusionary zoning to determine if that is the right direction. But I think the city needs to work more closely with builders, such as Veridian, to come up with strategies that are worked out in cooperation with each other. I imagine that builders and landlords have some very good ideas about increasing affordable housing.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
Less:
- Borrowing: I support zero level budgeting.
- Earmarked money for programs that cannot justify its use.
- Unnecessary expenditures such as bus shelters that cost $70,000.
More:
- Public safety: The neighborhood policing program is popular and effective and should be increased.
- Innovative approaches to problems before they occur. One of the best examples of this is Best Value Contracting.
- Community resources for agencies that are performing at a high level (and proving it).
Do you forsee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
This is certainly a possibility, but I do feel that representing your district is an Alder's most important responsibility. I can imagine this scenario if a vote is clearly in the best interest of the entire city, but may not be popular in a specific area of the city. In this case, I think it is an alder's duty to to provide the opportunity for resident input and flow information back as well.
Name the thing you like least about Madison
That we have homeless and runaway children and teens on our streets, with the high potential of being exploited.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Paul Soglin, who has a dynamic personality, is intelligent, has a great sense of humor and gives back to the community.
Do you think rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
Probably a little high, but not terribly so.
How often do you take Metro?
The closest Metro stop is 1.5 miles from my home, so I prefer to ride my bike 13 miles to work in the summer and fall about once a week.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
Both during the week at www.madison.com and the WSJ on Sundays.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Madison Mallards; I love baseball and my wife and I love to go to Mallards games.
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Cops, because I'd rather help people during the night and make sure they are safe.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
Almost 30 years of the Common Council adding money to the budget without a balancing cut; when will performance and data be utilized in this process as a rationale for investments and cuts?
Jed Sanborn
The Daily Page: Please identify what you consider to be the most important issue in your district and what you are going to do about it.
Sanborn: The most important issue is growing crime and high-risk neighborhoods. In my opinion, the West Precinct Police station is understaffed. I have supported increases to the police budget for new officers and will continue to do so in future budgets. I have pushed for more services for the southwest side -- particularly after school programming. I will continue to work with the neighborhood officer and local landlords on tenant screening, building inspection, and neighborhood improvement.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
Create a tax and regulatory environment that is hospitable to business, both existing and those who may consider Madison. While everyone's description of hospitable is different, those policies that put Madison business at a disadvantage in relation to surrounding communities are particularly harmful.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
Continue to expand and improve bike trails. They are a great asset and source of pride for our city. Continue to expand and improve our streets. For most people, the independence and convenience of driving contribute to a high quality of life. The bus system can be improved, particularly by expanding coverage and speeding up service. I am skeptical that any rail system for Madison will generate enough use to justify the cost.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
Repeal inclusionary zoning. It adds to the cost of housing without very little benefit. It also discourages builders and developers from doing Madison projects when other options exist. Over the long term, this will lower the supply of housing, increasing cost.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
Less:
- Tax Incremental Financing.
- Business handouts like faÃade improvement grants.
- The Overture Center.
More:
- Police.
- After-school and summer programming for kids.
- Snow plowing.
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
Yes. The decision depends on the strength of my own conviction weighed against the importance of the issue to my constituents. But, there are certainly situations where I would feel compelled to vote my own principles.
Name the thing you like least about Madison.
The authoritarian tendencies in local politics.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Alden S. Sanborn.
Do you think that rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
Just about right.
How often do you take Metro?
Once a month.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
The Journal by paper, the Times via the Web.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Mallards.
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
The crowds; Halloween needs to be saved for those who behave themselves.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
Using a narrow definition of botch, as in mishandle: the water problems.
