Category Archives: Madison

District 6 Candidate Q & A: Marsha Rummel

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Three-term incumbent wants to continue forwarding progressive agenda

Madison 6th District Alder Marsha A. Rummel is running for a fourth term on the Madison Common Council.

Madison 6th District Alder Marsha A. Rummel seeks a fourth term on the Madison Common Council.

Marsha A. Rummel has been Alder of Madison’s Sixth District since 2007, and in that time she has seen lots of change.

Before being elected she had been active in the Marquette Neighborhood Association (MNA), serving for a time as President, and was interested in such issues as urban planning and affordable housing.

With a week to go before the election Willy Street Blog talked with Marsha Rummel about city planning, economic development, homelessness, her challenger Scott Thornton, and why she was briefly banned from a restaurant earlier this month.

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District 6 Candidate Q & A: Scott Thornton

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Challenger says Ald. Rummel has failed to lead and communicate with residents

Scott Thornton. Courtesy Scott Thornton for District 6

Scott Thornton. Courtesy Scott Thornton for District 6

Scott B. Thornton, 49, has lived in District 6 since 2000 and Madison since the late 1980s. One of his first jobs in Madison was working for the United Neighborhood Centers of Dane County which had its offices in the Atwood Neighborhood Center and he has been tied to the near East Side neighborhoods ever since.

However Scott has made his strongest impacts as President of the Marquette Neighborhood Association (MNA) for the past four years, nearly quadrupling the membership during his tenure. He also secured tax exempt status and aggressively developed a public art program in conjunction with the Madison Arts Commission that has flowered in public and private spaces around the Marquette neighborhood.

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New Orleans Take-Out Lifts Ban on Alder

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Marsha Rummel allowed to eat at favorite haunt after making peace

Madison 6th District Alder Marsha A. Rummel was banned on March 9 for a City Council vote the restaurant owner did not agree with.

Madison 6th District Alder Marsha A. Rummel was banned on March 9 for a City Council vote the restaurant owner did not agree with.

District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel is once again allowed to eat at New Orleans Take-Out on Fordem Avenue after being banned by its owner on March 9 due to a vote during a City Council meeting earlier this month.

The exile was over her vote to reduce Sherman Avenue to two lanes and install bike lanes in the curb lanes and a center turn lane. The City’s biking community rejoiced but the Northside Business Association was against the move saying its members will lose money.

At the time of the ban, NOTO owner John Roussos emailed Rummel and said, “You will be told to leave. If you do not comply the MPD will be called.” according to the email she shared with the Isthmus.

“I was really sad when I got the email from John Roussos, and he has subsequently unbanned me which makes me very happy. He was very concerned with the proposals for improvements to North Sherman Avenue,” Rummel told Willy Street Blog. “Honestly, every single person at the Council meeting that night voted for those improvements.”

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One Night at Ingersoll and Willy

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Blues Artist Paul Geremia plays Mother Fool's.

Blues Artist Paul Geremia plays Mother Fool’s.

Here are a couple of shots of Willy and Ingersoll Streets on Saturday evening March 23, 2013. Above, Blues Artist Paul Geremia plays for a full crowd at Mother Fool’s Coffeehouse. Below, Roman Candle Pizzeria always seems to be a striking photographic subject both day and night. On this evening, the still night air perpetuates a lingering goodbye between two lovers.

A moment in time at Ingersoll and Willy Streets.

A moment in time at Ingersoll and Willy Streets.

Risser, Taylor, and Rummel to host Listening Session

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(L to R: Marsha Rummel, Fred Risser, Chris Taylor)

(L to R: Marsha Rummel, Fred Risser, Chris Taylor)

Representatives from state and local government will hold a listening session in the Marquette neighborhood Monday evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer Street.

Wisconsin State Senator Fred Risser (D-Madison), Wisconsin State Represenative Chris Taylor (D-Madison) and District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel will host the session which is an open format to hear concerns on any policy matter neighbors feel are important. No advance registration is needed.

Washing Machine Sparks Fire on Baldwin Street

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Smoke streams from the second floor apartment of 420 south Baldwin Street. No one was hurt in the fire which was started by a washing machine.

Smoke streams from the second floor apartment of 420 South Baldwin Street. No one was hurt in the fire which was started by a washing machine.

Six residents and their three pets are safe after a washing machine caught fire in a second floor laundry room at 420 South Baldwin Street Saturday night. Units from fire stations 1, 3 and 4 were called to the property on the corner of Baldwin and Jenifer just before 10 p.m which caused $125,000 in damage.

Smoke was observed pouring from a second-floor window on the Jenifer street side of the house but firefighters had the fire under control quickly and no flames were observed from the street level. Venting of the residence with fans began soon after as smoke from the fire could be smelled as far away as Jolly Bob’s.  Continue reading →

Thornton Endorsed By Feingold for District 6 Alder

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Scott Thornton. Courtesy Scott Thornton for District 6

Scott Thornton

Former Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold has endorsed Scott B. Thornton in his race for Alder of Madison’s District 6.

“I am honored to have the endorsement of one of the most progressive voices in Wisconsin,” Thornton said. “Senator Feingold knows that District 6 deserves an alderperson who works hard for the community, is an experienced leader, and will be a true progressive voice on the city council. I am that candidate and am honored by his endorsement.” said Thornton in a campaign press release.

Thornton is challenging two-time incumbent Marsha Rummel who has also announced some endorsements recently including Alder Scott Resnick. The two will participate in a candidate forum on March 25 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church.

Heenan Shooting Report Released

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Paul Heenan. Courtesy: Cress Funeral Home

Paul Heenan. Courtesy: Cress Funeral Home

A report following the Madison Police Investigation into the officer-involved shooting of Paul  Heenan on South Baldwin Street on November 9, 2012 has been released. Officer Stephen Heimsness, while responding to a 911 burglary in-progress call, shot Heenan three times after they had briefly struggled.

The details of that night have been somewhat in dispute leaving some neighborhood residents uneasy about police policies and transparency. The Dane County District Attorney’s office cleared Officer Heimsness of any criminal culpability, and the police department said he did not violate any policies in the process of executing his duties.  Continue reading →

Rummel and Thornton to Participate in Alder Forum

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Current District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel will be challenged by former MNA Board President Scott Thornton in elections in April.

Current District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel will be challenged by former MNA Board President Scott Thornton in elections in April.

Madison Common Council District 6 Alder Marsha Rummel and her challenger, former Marquette Neighborhood Association President Scott Thronton, will participate in a candidate forum next month.

The question and answer session will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Avenue, beginning at 6:30 p.m on March 25, 2013 with a reception to follow. The forum is sponsored by the Marquette, Starkweather Atwood Schenk Yahara, and Worthington Park Neighborhood Associations.  Continue reading →

Nostalgia or Sizzle for Block 800

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A deep read on the three proposals looking to remake the Don Miller site

The 800 Block of East Washington Avenue looking east towards Breese Stevens Field. Developers were required to consider how the stadium would tie into their site designs.

The north 800 Block of East Washington Avenue looking east towards Breese Stevens Field. The City is attempting to create an impressive gateway corridor just east of the Capitol while encouraging developments that blend sensible residential and commercial uses  for area residents. Photo by: Jamie Grunniwaldt

The quest to revive the moribund Capitol East corridor has been restarted on the City-owned 800 block of East Washington Avenue as three new proposals are under consideration.  The City was negotiating last year with Urban Land Interests to build mixed-use commercial and residential buildings featuring high-tech tenants but talks centering on public financing of a parking ramp broke down and the proposal was withdrawn.

The failed first attempt at developing the site was a sigh of relief to many residents of the Tenney-Lapham neighborhood, and to a certain extent those in the Marquette neighborhood, who were excited about a late (but not considered) proposal by Metcalfe’s Market for a mixed-used development including a grocer, hotel, and apartments. As the 800 North Block East Washington Avenue Committee prepares to consider submissions from T. Wall Enterprises, C.D. Smith, and Gebhardt Development one proposal is emerging as a clear favorite.  Continue reading →