District 17 is one of the city council's largest, covering a broad swatch of Madison's northeast side. It includes the airport, East Towne Mall and the rapidly growing areas on the far side of I-90/94.
Growth, traffic, and water quality (given the location of the beleaguered Well #29) are paramount, as challengers Joe Clausius and Sarah Florino vie to succeed the retiring Santiago Rosas as district alder.
Sara Florino, 29, has a music degree from the UW-Madison, where she works as an assistant on the IceCube neutrino observatory project. A resident of Madison for nearly a decade, she has lived in District 17 for one year. Florino is a member of the UW Diversity Oversight Committee and serves as the secretary and steward for AFSCME Local 2412. She is also the only aldermanic candidate in the city running a campaign MySpace page, where she is publishing her responses to numerous questionnaires.
Joe Clausius, 59, has a degree in political science from UW-Platteville and works as the office manager for Marti Clausius Insurance Agency. He has lived in the district for the last 15 years, previously residing in Sun Prairie where he served on its city council for six years. He is the chair of Madison's Affirmative Action Commission, vice-chair of the Board of Public Works, vice-president of the Clarendon Hills Homeowners Association and a member of the Dane County Youth Commission.
The Daily Page conducted an email Q&A with each candidate. Their responses follow.
Joe Clausius
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.
Provide safe drinking water. I will support the installation of the pyrolusite filtration system on Well 29 as recommended by the just completed Well 29 Pilot Study. Hopefully, this will eliminate the manganese contamination in the well, which is located in our district.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
The city needs to seriously consider the impact of any legislation enacted by the city council on small businesses in Madison.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
The city should continue to improve and add to its excellent network of biking trails. In addition, the city should listen to suggestions from the Madison Area Bus Advocates group for improving Madison Metro routes and service. The Transport 2020 Study exploring bringing commuters/shoppers from surrounding areas in and out of Madison is an exciting possibility.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
The city puts a large amount of money into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund every year. Instead, why not use some of money budgeted each year for the fund on current affordable housing projects?
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
Spend less on:
- Sister City projects
- Social engineering issues
- Unnecessary city studies
Spend more on:
- Madison Metro
- Safe drinking water
- Public safety
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
As a general rule, I would vote the wishes of my constituents. However, there could be issues that require a citywide perception.
Name the thing you like least about Madison
The city council's fixation on unnecessary legislation and foreign policy issues.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Our first modern-era mayor, Ivan Nestingen
Do you think rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
I would double the rates for people who illegally park in handicapped parking spaces.
How often do you take Metro?
I have never had the need or opportunity to ride Madison Metro.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
Both are excellent daily newspapers.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Both are part of what makes Madison such an interesting place in which to live.
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
I'd rather stay home.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
Inclusionary zoning
Sarah Florino
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.
I believe in creating a balance between resident and business interests by engaging the people who live in the district. A responsive alder would listen and respond to residents' concerns, not just serve as a mouthpiece for a predetermined corporate or party agenda.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
Have both parties come to the table and start a constructive dialogue to work on a common vision instead of throwing barbs at each other. One cannot exist without the other.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
Encourage the use of two wheels (bicycles) -- Madison has wonderful bike paths. Improve Metro by revamping schedules and routes. Create a countywide task force to study expanding the current bus service or developing rail service.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
Strengthening the partnerships between the city and non-profits that already have proven programs in place to assist families in finding and keeping affordable rental housing.
For first-time home buyers the city could encourage more affordable condo conversion developments like the Harbor House Condos on the west side. Also, revamping IZ to include people in the lower area median income brackets.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
Less:
- Purely aesthetic purchases, like the specially designed Madison Sesquicentennial manhole covers. Have you stopped in the middle of the road to look at one? I thought the old ones made in Neenah were fine.
- Halloween, a popular event drawing young, enthusiastic travelers from everywhere. The city should find a way to make a profit or break even.
- Overture and Monona Terrace.
More:
- Basic infrastructure, including things like water
- Transportation
- Public safety (police and fire)
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
Yes, when the residents of the district cannot completely agree on an issue.
Name the thing you like least about Madison.
The constant bickering between warring factions.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
I never thought about it.
Do you think that rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
I try not to park illegally because either way it's cheaper to plug the meter.
How often do you take Metro?
I normally ride the #6 bus to and from work five times a week.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
I read both.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Mad Rollin' Dolls
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Crowds
Name the most botched public issue in town.
Water
