Mayor Dave's weekly whereabouts: Blog

Like many of us, Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is easing back into routine work patterns after a couple weeks of holiday disruptions. An early order of business in this New Year is a public relations push in the form of a brand new

His first topic was a timely discussion about the economy, declaring that making Madison "both pro-business and progressive" would be his number one priority in 2009. Cieslewicz commented on his nomination of Tim Cooley as the new city Economic Development Director, an upcoming Small Business Conference, and his wishlist to the Obama administration for the economic stimulus package. Of course, before getting down to business, the mayor started out with some seemingly obligatory qualifying language.

"Let me admit three things upfront. This was my idea. It's probably a bad idea. I'm going to do it anyway," he begins. "The very things that make blogs worthwhile also make them dangerous. Blogs allow their authors to go on at length and instantly. But when it comes to public policy I've always thought it was a better idea to say only what needs to be said and then only after a fair amount of consideration. Rambling on off the top of my head is not my style and rarely is it a good idea for anyone."

This isn't hizzoner's first stab at a blog, though. Mayor Dave has been blogging for 105.5 Triple M for over six months now, offering up thoughts of a more generally more personal nature than that he's promising for his municipal edition. Along with plenty of commentary about recent movies, the mayor has discussed his job, though. He has pondered the job's impact on his stage and screen career, offered up his Shetland Sheepdog Calvin to the Obama family to adopt as the new first dog, shared his thoughts on the third edition of Freakfest, ruminated on his meal with the crew at Eating in Madison A to Z, and declared his love for the annual Ironman Wisconsin competition, among many other ramblings and whatnot. It will be interesting to see if he continues to publish this one, and if so, will look to segregate the personal from the political between the two.

As for Mayor Dave's schedule this week, things look pretty routine, at least as presented by his office. Staff and committee meetings dominate, along with a few sit-downs with various city movers and shakers. It ends nicely, though, with the 25th Annual City Employees' Bowling Tournament, which starts rolling at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes by East Towne.

MAYOR CIESLEWICZ WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Monday, January 5, 2009
10:00 a.m. Policy Staff Meeting (Mayor's Conf. Room)
1:30 p.m. Chuck Kamp, Lisa Subeck, Nan Cnare, Tom Lindfeldt, Ray Harmon (Mayor's Conf. Room)
3:30 p.m. Mayors' Innovation Project Steering Committee conference call (Mayor's Office)
4:30 p.m. Common Council Leadership Meeting (Mayor's Conf. Room)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009
10:30 a.m. Mayor's Management Team Meeting (Mayor's Conf. Room)
1:30 p.m. Office/work time
4:30 p.m. Alder Marsha Rummel, Kevin Briski, Ray Harmon (Mayor's Conf. Room)
6:30 p.m. Common Council Meeting (City-County Bldg, Rm 201)

Wednesday, January 7, 2009
8:30 a.m. Office/work time
10:00 a.m. Staff Meeting (Mayor's Conf. Room)
1:30 p.m. Office/work time
3:30 p.m. Brad Murphy, Mario Mendoza (Mayor's Office)

Thursday, January 8, 2009
8:30 a.m. Office/work time
11:00 a.m. Katherine Plominski, Joel Plant (Mayor's Office)
2:00 p.m. Chief Noble Wray, Joel Plant (Mayor's Office)
4:00 p.m. Fred Mohs, Ledell Zellers, Gene Devitt, Adam Plotkin, Mike Slavish, Mario Mendoza, Mark Olinger, Brad Murphy (Mayor's Conf. Room)

Friday, January 9, 2009
9:30 a.m. Bernie Lange, Eric Truelove, Jeanne Hoffman, Ray Harmon (Mayor's Conf. Room)
11:00 a.m. Mark Hanson, Ray Harmon (Mayor's Office)
2:30 p.m. Speak to the American Politics & Government class at East HS (2222 E Washington Ave)

Saturday, January 10, 2009
11:00 a.m. 25th Annual City Employees' Bowling Tournament (Bowl-A-Vard Lanes)