The contest to succeed retiring Ald. Brian Benford in the 12th aldermanic district is the bellwether contest in this spring's city council election.
Covering a diverse array of neighborhoods at the intersection of Madison's north and east sides, the 12th District will soon be led by either Mark Deadman or Satya Rhodes-Conway, each representing the polar perspectives that define city politics in 2007.
Satya Rhodes-Conway, 35, has lived in Madison for seven years, the last two within the district, and has been endorsed by Benford and the local political party Progressive Dane.
Rhodes-Conway is a senior associate at the UW's Center on Wisconsin Strategy, a progressive think tank. She is also the treasurer for the Eken Park Neighborhood Association, the chair of the city's Long Range Metro Transit Ad Hoc Planning Committee, a member of the Commission on the Environment's clean air subcommittee, and is active in various other groups.
Mark Deadman, 61, has lived in the 12th District for 25 years and is endorsed by Benford's predecessor, the conservative-minded Dorothy Borchardt. He is the owner of Busse's Markway tavern and is a former manager at Aramark, a hospitality-industry firm.
Deadman points to his deep connections to the eastside. His wife has taught at East High School for 25 years, and two of their children operate businesses in the district. "I have participated in the life of the community through participation and sponsorship of charitable events and activities," he says.
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.
Mark Deadman
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.
Deadman: The biggest issues are ensuring quality services at a price we can afford, helping attract quality jobs and businesses, and keeping our neighborhoods safe. One thing that will address all three issues is a budget emphasis on what we really need, rather than what some people want.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticisms of its business climate?
The city may not intend to be anti-business, but it projects that image. The city should streamline its regulatory environment. This would ensure that the benefits of regulation outweigh the cost of potential jobs and tax base. The city should actively reach out to businesses to partner on issues.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
Regarding transportation we need to continue our efforts to be bike-friendly, improve our Metro system -- consider more circulator routes downtown and express routes during peak periods -- and explore a regional transit authority. At some point, light rail may figure into the equation.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
[No response]
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
Three areas of excessive spending are:
- Continuing trolley studies
- Duplication of services and facilities
- Imposing and enforcing intrusive measures upon private businesses
Areas of need include:
- Encouraging and supporting the creation of private sector jobs
- Rebuilding Madison's reputation as being business-friendly
- Emphasizing successful programs like down payment assistance and housing rehabilitation opportunities
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the expressed wishes of your constituents?
I do not foresee a situation where I would vote contrary to the expressed wishes of my constituents.
Name the thing you like least about Madison
I like least some of the schemes that we have promoted within the city which have helped least the very people who they were intending to help.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Paul Soglin
Do you think rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
Parking tickets appear to be priced about right.
How often do you take Metro?
Because I only live a mile from my work I probably only take the bus about twice a year.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
I read both papers everyday.
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Madison Mallards
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
Since I usually work on Halloween I don't have the option of cops or crowd.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
The most botched public issue is the whole matter of inclusionary zoning.
Satya Rhodes-Conway
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.
Rhodes-Conway: Providing quality workforce transportation by enhancing Metro and exploring Transport 2020's recommendations. Keeping streets and neighborhoods safe via community policing, traffic calming and addressing root causes of crime. Providing accessible, responsive government by taking very seriously the first job of an elected official: to listen and respond to her constituents. I'm already working on every one of these issues and many others, bringing people together in our community and advocating for solutions in City Hall.
What's one thing the city can do to address criticism of its business climate?
We need to take seriously the ways we can improve the actual business climate, but also avoid buying into hype about the perception of our business climate. To build a truly sustainable city that provides benefits to all its residents, we need "high road" economic development that recognizes the value of locally-owned business, targeted job training for local residents, policies that support working families and quality public infrastructure that supports our businesses every day.
Two wheels, four wheels and rails. Where should the city go?
We must maintain our biking infrastructure and provide additional dedicated bike lanes and paths, especially on the northside. We should keep car travel in town efficient while also ensuring pedestrians and bikers can safely use and cross the streets. Busses are an essential part of the mix (6 wheels). We should also study light rail downtown and to the airport, though we should approach it as an economic development tool, not just a transportation solution.
What one thing can the city do that it's not currently doing to increase the availability of affordable housing?
Three things the city can do:
- Explore land trust and housing coops targeted at low income families.
- Use the reworking of the zoning code to make sure affordable units are part of every new development.
- Work harder on the demand side of housing, helping people get the training and support they need and assisting businesses that pay family-supporting wages and benefits so everyone can afford the prices that Madison's housing market drives.
List three things you think the city should spend less money on, and three things on which it should spend more.
Less:
- Another downtown parking ramp
- Halloween
- TIF money for condos
More:
- Child care assistance and support for neighborhood centers
- Energy efficiency measures that will pay for themselves over time, many faster than you might think
- Metro and other workforce transportation
Do you foresee a situation where you might vote contrary to the express wishes of your constituents?
I anticipate that, with a district of 10,000+ residents, every vote I cast will be contrary to the express wishes of at least one constituent. But the 1,500 conversations I've had at the doors of District 12 residents have confirmed that my personal views are a very good fit for the district. I'll listen carefully to the district residents, seek their advice proactively as often as possible, and consult my conscience on every vote.
Name the thing you like least about Madison.
Its sprawling edges, which cost taxpayers more than the development there provides in terms of jobs, tax base and beauty.
Who is your favorite ex-mayor?
Mike Verveer, when he was city council president and the sitting mayor was out of town.
Do you think that rates for parking tickets are too high or too low?
The rates are about right, but enforcement needs to be better, both downtown to make sure there's a parking spot when you need one, and in our neighborhoods, especially around East High.
How often do you take Metro?
I take the #4 or #27 nearly every day, which is easy because I commute during "regular" hours to my job on campus, but we need better service to other areas of town, especially for second and third shift workers and for folks who just want to run an errand or go out for the evening.
Wisconsin State Journal or The Capital Times?
Cap Times at my door, WSJ online, Isthmus as soon as it lands on campus every Thursday, Northside News and EINPC Roots cover to cover
Madison Mallards or Mad Rollin' Dolls?
Dolls in the winter, Mallards in the summer
Would you rather spend Halloween with the crowds or cops?
In my neighborhood; real kids are way cuter than college kids.
Name the most botched public issue in town.
For a while there it was the drinking water, not so much in how it was being addressed, but in the very poor communication between city departments, neighborhoods and the public; but we're on a much better track on all fronts now.
