DISTRICT 10
MARA EISCH
City of Madison, 53711
maraforalder@gmail.com
www.maraforalder.com
Facebook: Mara for Alder
Twitter: @maraforalder
Watch the Know Your Candidates interview with Mara Eisch.
1. How should the Common Council interact with the Police Civilian Oversight Board, the Independent Police Monitor and the new Police Chief, in order to ensure their success?
I would suggest a collaborative relationship among all parties. The Police Oversight Board would best serve in an advisory role to the Common Council, as well as the Independent Police Monitor and Police Chief. Ultimately the Common Council is accountable for the business of the city. To be successful, it needs to rely on expert advisory entities for input to the big picture,
2. Should Madison prioritize the Bus Rapid Transit system?
As in most situations, many agree on the need for Rapid Transit. It is the details of how it unfolds that causes the controversy. I think it is commendable that Madison is leading in the implementation of rapid transit. I would have preferred a state lead on rapid transit with municipalities following. As I review the Odana Development Plan, I wonder why the rapid transit is on the outside of this development. I am not an engineer, but it seems to serve the businesses and commute of the hundreds that will live in the ‘inner city complex’ of Odana Dev Plan the design could be more central.
3. Please describe your priorities for your term in office and your specific qualifications to effectively address those issues.
My priority is to listen to the needs of the residents of District 10. The needs are quite varied by neighborhood. I want to bring their voice to the planning that occurs prior to the Common Council vote. Far too many decisions are already made prior to coming to Common Council. I bring skills in data mining, analysis, negotiating, and problem solving. As a Six Sigma Green Belt team facilitator, I have experience navigating teams. I want to involve individuals in resolving/solving issues they bring forward. One area of grave concern in Madison is racial inequity and social injustice. Both require a dialogue among city residents. We need to be talking to each other outloud, inquiring about what it means to each of us, and recognize how we, all of us, each contribute to it.
4. If elected, what would you do to be sure are hearing the views of all the people in your district?
One positive outcome from COVID is we are all getting use to virtual meetings. I am planning to host virtual neighborhood ‘town hall’ meetings during my campaign both on Zoom and Facebook Live. I am also widely distributing my email, phone number, website, Facebook site and twitter information. I am attending neighborhood mtgs to hear concerns and develop a list serves, but hope to move the work of concerns to ‘town hall’ mtgs. Once elected, I plan to continue the virtual ‘town hall’ mtgs where neighbors will be able to express concerns, be heard and formulate ideas for resolution.
YANNETTE FIGUEROA COLE
City of Madison, 53711
friendsofYannette@gmail.com
yannette4madison.com
Facebook: Friends of Yannette for District 10
Watch the Know Your Candidates interview with Yannette Figueroa Cole.
1. How should the Common Council interact with the Police Civilian Oversight Board, the Independent Police Monitor and the new Police Chief, in order to ensure their success?
The city council has the responsibility to ensure the Board is funded for years to come. The Board should remain an independent body. The Council should support the findings of the Board and bring new regulations to ensure the recommendations are implemented and followed. The police oversight board is composed of experts on policing and people that have had experiences dealing with police. Hence, oversight of the police department should be welcomed and supported. This will only yield a safer and stronger department and community.
2. Should Madison prioritize the Bus Rapid Transit system?
Yes. The City Council already prioritizes the Bus Rapid Transit System, and I intend to support and advocate for this project implementation and completion. Transit is at the heart of many other issues we must address such as housing development, water safety, and resolution RES-19-00265l which was passed in March 2019 that covers various initiatives that impact and depend on a solid transit infrastructure.
3. Please describe your priorities for your term in office and your specific qualifications to effectively address those issues.
I am running for elected office because I strongly believe that 2020 & COVID-19 have brought us the opportunity to focus on issues that impact our communities. I believe that as a Puerto Rican, as a woman, as an advocate for people experiencing homelessness, and as a business process analyst, I bring a different perspective to the table. I plan to focus on: 1. public health and safety, healthy communities are safe communities; 2. a budget that invests in its people and ensures people’s basic needs are met; and 3. cross agency collaboration for the greater good.
I will work relentlessly to make sure resources and funds are equitably allocated, prioritized, and distributed to those that need them the most.
4. If elected, what would you do to be sure are hearing the views of all the people in your district?
The council should act as a facilitator between the people & the government body that makes decisions that impact the community. It is an alder’s responsibility to listen to constituents, to find ways to engage as many people as possible and to provide them ways to participate in the discussions. I’ll offer office hours, participate in neighborhood meetings, and support implementation of a text alert system that would allow the public to vote on council agenda items. I’ll examine the structural process of the council that could be modified to attract public engagement.
