District 6 is the center of archetypal east side Madison, hugging the northwestern corner of Lake Monona along Willy Street and Atwood Avenue from the edge of downtown to Olbrich Gardens and backed by East Washington Avenue. The two primary neighborhoods-- Marquette and Schenk-Atwood -- are each pulsing with residential and commercial growth. Carl DuRocher and Marsha Rummel are vying to succeed the retiring Ald. Judy Olson, who has represented the district for 12 years.
Marsha Rummel, 50, has lived in the district for 25 years. A graduate of the UW-Madison with a degree in political science, she is the co-founder and longtime manager of the Rainbow Bookstore Cooperative and a member of the Dane County Buy Local Campaign and the Greater State Street Business Association.
Rummel serves on numerous city committees, including the East Washington B.U.I.L.D., TIF Policy, IZ Oversight, and the Central Park panels. She is the president of the Marquette Neighborhood Association.
Carl DuRocher, 60, has lived in the 6th for 30 years. He is the executive director of the RetroTech Computer Corp. and has worked for many non-profits over the years. He is the chair of the city's Transit and Parking Commission, a member and past chair of the ADA Transportation subcommittee, serves on Metro's Long Range Ad Hoc Planning Committee and its Contracted Services Oversight subcommittee, and finally on the County Specialized Transportation Committee.
The Daily Page conducted an email Q&A with each candidate. Their responses follow.
Carl DuRocher
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 resist single-issue politics. The answer is more complex.
- Affordability: Small shops are teetering because of rent. Homebuyers are looking elsewhere to move. We must analyze development proposals to prevent becoming a victim of our own success.
- Closing Marquette school: We must voice the political will to avoid the destabilizing impact of this proposal.
- Transportation: We must build all alternatives to reliance on single occupancy vehicles to get to or through the isthmus.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
Compromise. Compromise does not mean abandonment of principles, but workable public policy. When voting, the key is to move forward with an open, receptive ear to all stakeholders and competing interests. I've talked to business owners who feel vilified for being employers. To support living wages we must maintain responsible employers. I don't want to see us go the way of State Street by driving out unique locally-owned shops for trans-national franchised fast food.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
A comprehensive people-moving plan integrates bike paths and lanes, buses, cabs, private cars, and rail- and pedestrian-friendly design. Investment in Metro should be our current priority. Our surveys show ridership grows exponentially when riding is more convenient. We accomplish this by adding frequency, service hours and service area and ride pass programs. A trolley has no regional impact, and public transportation is not just about the city of Madison. We need a regional view.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
Explore strategies to put more money into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
To be totally serious, I'd want to debate this in the context of a specific budget.
Less:
- Wi-Fi: The network of antennas does nothing more than connect residents to an ISP that requires paid subscription.
- Further CDBG funded economic development in our district.
- No underground parking ramp on the Buckeye Lot off State Street
More:
- Partner with and support non-profit groups that address homelessness: Porchlight, Interfaith Hospitality Network, YWCA, Salvation Army.
- Metro
- Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
Not if the constituency were unified. But it seldom works that way. Representation and leadership do not inherently conflict. When the wishes of the constituents are divided, I'd like to hold neighborhood discussions. When there is no consensus, my view is to weigh the needs of the many over the needs of the few (e.g., a bus stop for the many versus a parking space).
Name the thing you like least about Madison
Occasional smug complacency carrying over from community achievements of the past
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Paul Soglin; he set in motion a grassroots process allowing everyone's input.
Do you think rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
I do not propose to change them in the short term except to restore the penalty for illegal parking in a space reserved for people with disabled or vet hang tags or plates.
How often do you take Metro?
Daily
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
The Capital Times
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Mad Rollin' Dolls with bats
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Depends on the crowds (and the cops); I enjoy participating in the creativity downtown, though lately I prefer to stay home and pass out treats.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
The Overture Center; we've lost the tax base and the diversity that once made that area a destination and replaced it with something that is looming as a money drain.
Marsha Rummel
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.
The biggest issue facing District 6 is gentrification and the loss of racial and economic diversity. I will work to bring a mix of affordable housing options and advocate for living wage jobs in the rail corridor.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
Fill the new position of Director of the Division of Economic and Community Development in the newly re-organized Dept of Planning and Economic and Community Development.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
We need to better coordinate our piecemeal transportation planning efforts. Instead we have committees on public works, light rail, streetcars, Metro and paratransit, transit and parking, long range transportation, a pedestrian and bike commission and a new platinum bike committee. We talk about transit demand management on a project-by-project basis; we need to begin to act holistically.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
Use the CDA to build scattered site affordable housing for people earning less than $15/hr, we must create housing that is affordable for dishwashers, janitors and housekeepers, not just police officers, teachers, firefighters who have been the targets of the IZ program. We need to improve our housing strategy for working class and poor people.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
- Reduce use of conventional fuel for Metro and city vehicles, and invest in biofuels and electric hybrids.
- Many consultants hired by the city cost more than existing staff, who in my experience do a better job than contracted service providers. We should invest in sufficient city planning staff to serve our needs.
- TIF subsidies for high-end condos downtown. We should invest in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to supplement IZ and other affordable housing programs.
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
My years of experience as a neighborhood activist has taught me that there will be a range of reasonable and interesting opinions on every issue. I expect that there will be instances where some will disagree with me but I am committed to facilitating public discussions so that everyone can participate in a meaningful way and shape our future. I will use my best judgement, informed by the progressive values of the district.
Name the thing you like least about Madison.
Many people pretend that racism doesn't exist here; it does.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Susan Lampert Smith (who was Mayor for a Day)
Do you think that rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
Too high when you get one, especially those alternate street parking tickets; otherwise they seem fair
How often do you take Metro?
I'd take it more if I could get to all my evening and weekend activities in a timely way and be able to stay out as late as I want.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
I subscribe to The Capital Times and check coffee shops and restaurants for the Wisconsin State Journal.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
I attend at least one Mallards game every year but I think we need kick-ass women too.
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Neither, I'd rather go to a costume party at someone's house or to a neighborhood bar on the eastside and stay away from the crowds and the cops.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
Water utility management of manganese issue
