Stand with Wisconsin
It is hard to put into words my reactions and feelings regarding what has been happening here in Madison. As the son of two State of Wisconsin employees, a recent University of Wisconsin graduate, local elected official, future teacher, and someone with future interests in public service, I have seen and experienced the happenings here through many different yet interrelated lenses. This post isn’t meant to be a holistic reflection on what is happening but a few thoughts on a few main topics.
I have been up at the State Capitol every day since Monday, Feb. 14th (and slept under the beautiful dome one night) and will continue to do my part to stand with and for the people and future of Wisconsin. I have been able to participate in some truly amazing times in Madison over the last few years. From being part of the events that brought President Obama to campus, twice, to rushing the field at Camp Randall, to hearing the Dalai Lama, to celebrating in the streets after the 2008 election and Packer Super Bowl win, the past few years have been eventful to say the least. But perhaps no cause or gathering has been more hard-hitting and thought-provoking than the events surrounding Gov. Walker’s proposed “budget repair bill.”
Anyone who has been around and in the Capitol lately can’t help but be deeply humbled by the passions and sense of unity and solidarity shared by all who share in this historic experience. While the chants are getting old, the weather cold, and the outcomes unknown, what keeps people going isn’t the free pizza or drum circles, it’s the overwhelming sense of pride. (the pizza does help though) Pride in Wisconsin, pride in the work people do, and pride because we know what we are doing is right.
Wisconsin has a long and proud history of leading the nation in expanding the rights of organized labor, working people, and the middle class. Unfortunately what Gov. Walker is proposing is not only in conflict with this history, it is a direct attack on the rights and freedoms that workers, both public and private, have earned here in Wisconsin. It is clear that what Gov. Walker is proposing isn’t about the money. It isn’t about the budget. It is about an ideology. This ideology prioritizes politics over people, the few over the many, and the self over the public good. While the state’s largest public employee unions have agreed to the financial concessions of contributing more for their health care and pensions, what they won’t concede is their right and ability to collectively bargain.
Public employees are willing to share in the sacrifices just as private employees and all taxpayers of the state have done. But don’t forget that, contrary to Gov. Walker’s rhetoric, public employees are taxpayers too. While the tenants of his plan use a strategy of divide and conquer, the public knows the value of treating its employees with respect because they know that those on the state’s payroll (teachers, nurses, police, firefighters, snow plow drivers, parks workers, etc…) work for the betterment of our communities, hence the term public employees. These aren’t just paper-pushers, these are our families, friends, and neighbors. These are the people who educate our kids and keep our communities safe. Gov. Walker has wrongly framed this debate as public haves vs. private have-nots. What a false, disingenuous, and calculating premise. While Gov. Walker may be skilled at repeating his veiled arguments on TV, just because he says something over and over again doesn’t make it true. And when what is being said seeks to divide people over a false sense of austerity, especially at a time of financial unease, it is politics at its worst. It is a race to the bottom, the lowest of the low.
While there are undoubtedly policy conversations about the way our public employees are compensated and contract for services, vilifying them as the most responsible source of our financial problems is irresponsible and irrational. I’m not here to rant about capitalism, tax policy, or Wall Street, but the fact that Gov. Walker is advancing his ideological battle to disband public unions under the guise of responsible budgeting is beyond ridiculous.
Gov. Walker claims that his proposal gives local governments and school boards the “tools” to deal with budget challenges. Please. The only “tools” given by Gov. Walker’s plans are a wrecking ball and sledge-hammer when what local governments and school boards need is a scalpel. This proposal even goes against what I thought was a Republican principle of local control, revealing it as nothing but a Trojan horse for an extreme and ideological agenda. Local governments and school boards didn’t ask for this and don’t support it. That’s why hundreds of local officials (including me) have signed a letter against the proposed changes to how WE bargain with OUR public employees. Collective bargaining works. It has worked with our public employees for over 50 years and there is no reason why all of a sudden it cannot work for another 50. I have yet to hear of or read about five local officials in Wisconsin in support of the proposed policy changes to collective bargaining. So spare the breath, Gov. Walker, you can’t say you are doing it for us (local officials) when we repeatedly say we don’t want it.
Gov. Walker may say what he is doing is FOR local governments, but really he is doing it TO local governments.
Responsible budgeting doesn’t allow those writing the balance sheets to choose what we want as the source of our problems and exploit this manufactured scapegoat for political, ideological, or personal reasons. Beyond the fact that Wisconsin has one of the strongest and most financially stable public pension systems and the reality that things like health benefits and pensions are negotiated as part of a total compensation package public employee unions have again said they are willing to accept the financial concessions. Talk about a shared sacrifice. Public employees don’t take the jobs they do because they are looking to get rich or to scam the system. They do their jobs to better their communities, the state, and the public.
What bothers me perhaps as much as the misguided policy is the lack of adult leadership provided by Gov. Walker. The childish, disrespectful, and unprecedented game playing by Republican legislators, led by the Fitzgerald brothers, is enough for an additional post on how they stained the history, traditions, and character of the Wisconsin legislature. But Gov. Walker’s unwillingness to sit down or even talk with public employee unions, unwillingness to negotiate contracts, unwillingness to compromise with legislators (of either party actually), and unwillingness to acknowledge the accepted financial concessions of the unions is absurd. Leadership? Hardly.
Leadership, especially political leadership, isn’t about dividing people into us vs. them. Leadership isn’t about exploiting the economic woes and concerns of families or state budgets to pursue an extreme policy agenda. Leadership isn’t about playing chicken or playing War. Leadership doesn’t willingly offer people’s rights or livelihood as ammunition or accepted collateral. If you look at history, what defines some of our greatest leaders isn’t their stubbornness or unwillingness to negotiate with anyone, it’s their willingness to make principled compromises. There is the saying that you should never compromise on your principles but you should never be unwilling to make a principled compromise. I feel like a middle-aged parent by saying this but, “It’s not so much that I’m mad, it’s that I’m disappointed in you Gov. Walker.” (ok, I am mad too but…) Through his actions, Gov. Walker has revealed that he is not, nor is he interested in being a leader. So far, his actions reveal him to be nothing more than a shameless ideologue.
It is disappointing. It is infuriating. It is shameful. But what we cannot do is let our passions and efforts end at the conclusion of this fight surrounding the rights of public employees to bargain collectively. Win or lose this particular battle over workers’ rights, letting our experiences here serve as the spark and motivation for future and sustained involvement would be the most meaningful “win” possible. Our participation, our contributions, our voice, and our vote in future endeavors is going to be the true measure of what has been happening here in Madison. When all is said and done, looking backward will provide important reflections and lessons on our efforts to organize, our shared pride and passions, and our stand for what is right. But we must take these lessons and reflections and turn them in the only direction our great state tells us, Forward!
Back to the Blog
So I’ll be the first to admit it, I haven’t been the best blogger lately (lately as in way too long). I apologize. My bad. But I’d like to give it another go, so stay tuned for some posts soon.
Student Engagement in Local Issues
I wanted to post a guest column I submitted to both campus papers a few days ago relating to the success we had in relation to having a student as a voting member on the Alcohol License Review Committee and also call for continued student engagement in local city issues. The column was printed in both the Badger Herald and Daily Cardinal.
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My name is Bryon Eagon — and no, my first name isn’t misspelled. In addition to being a student at UW, I have the privilege of representing the 8th district as an alder on the City Council here in Madison. Technically, we call it the Common Council, but that’s just semantics. Students are the economic, social and cultural engine of Madison and our opinions and ideas are vital to shaping the future of this great city. But my voice is just one among tens of thousands of young people here in Madison; that’s where you come in. I want to know your thoughts, complaints, suggestions and ideas to help inform my priorities and decisions. Why should students care about the micro of micro levels of government when there are more attractive and flashy issues at the state or national level? Let me try to explain.
Have you ever tried crossing Langdon Street at the intersection on Frances? If so, you’ve probably let out a few obscenities over the blind spots and nonresponsive traffic. That intersection is terrible for pedestrians. Who is responsible for making changes to such a vital public safety issue? The U.S. Congress? The Wisconsin State Legislature? Actually, it is the city’s responsibility. While issues at the city level may not garner the appeal of soaring state or national policies, city government makes decisions that affect our day-to-day lives, oftentimes much more than higher levels of government. From trash pickup to public safety, alcohol regulation to stop signs, we see and experience the decisions made in City Hall every day.
You may have read a few days ago the city is adding a member to the Alcohol License Review Committee and because of students’ engagement and participation, the council recommended and the mayor committed to appointing a student voting member to that committee. So what does this mean for students? A voting student member can promote the kinds of establishments that we, as young people, want in the future of campus and downtown. While there are plenty of places for vertical drinking (where people stand around, down drinks and just hit repeat), there are not nearly enough fun, safe, interactive late-night places for students of all ages. During debates on adding a student to the committee, dozens of students came to the Council meeting and demonstrated how informed, engaged and passionate students can make a difference in city government. We saw a coalition of the Herald and the Cardinal, College Democrats and Republicans, as well as ASM, stepping up to the plate to get involved. I don’t know what part of that last list is more encouraging/historic — the papers working together, campus politicos from both sides of the aisle coming together, or the student government renewing interest in local issues. The council, mayor and the at-large Madison community took notice and were impressed. But this student participation should not and cannot stop with this one meeting.
Student engagement on the ALRC student voting member issue can and should serve as a catalyst for student participation on even more issues. Although issues of alcohol are what unite students the most, so many of us have a greater passion for and are better informed about many more issues than just those surrounding alcohol. The city also deals with issues that involve the environment, transportation, business development, public safety, community services, youth programs, homelessness, parks, pools, tenant and landlord regulations and much more. If you want to make a difference on any of these issues, or have a niche idea of your own, let your voice be heard. The future of Madison rests on the ideas and priorities of young people. If we, as students, do not speak up, contribute and participate in local government, the future of our campus, downtown and city will be decided for us. So e-mail your member of congress, call your state legislator and come testify before or serve on a committee over at City Hall, 210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Who knows? Maybe if enough students get involved, we can get a four-way stop at Langdon and Frances.
Bryon Eagon is a senior majoring in political science and communication arts. He can be reached at district8@cityofmadison.com, 608-335-5091, or in person during his office hours Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. at Lakefront on Langdon in Memorial Union and Thursdays from 1 to 2 p.m. at Pop’s Club in Gordon Commons.
Student Voting Member on the ALRC
A few weeks ago, a proposal came before the Common Council Organizational Committee to add a voting Alder to the Alcohol License Review Committee. The committee voiced concerns about the potential and undesired 4-4 ties this addition could create, so the amendment was made to add another citizen voting member to deter such ties. So far so good, right? But I thought we could do one better:
I introduced a substitute amendment to change the new citizen voting member to a student voting member.
The familiar topics of safety, landlord issues, the environment, and even those not-so-universal issues (snow removal and toxic algae to name a few), are all important and significant issues to students. Here in Madison, and I would assume in many other college-towns, few issues garner more student attention and passion than the issues surrounding alcohol.
With this interest and goals of encouraging active participation from young people in Madison, students deserve a full vote on the city’s most alcohol-centered committee. Not only do students care about the issue of alcohol, they know about and (many often interact with) the issue. Students can provide a unmatched voice and unique perspective about what kinds of establishments and policies Madison should be supporting when in comes to alcohol. Students are more surrounded with the issues of alcohol than probably any other ‘group’ in Madison.
From participating, observing, interacting, responding, hearing, feeling, and experiencing the affects and impacts of alcohol, students are in-tune with the direct and indirect issues before the ALRC. Thus, students deserve a full vote on the issue and I would argue that students could benefit the committee and city as a whole with this vote because of their unparalled experiences, input, feedback, and ideas.
Now I know some critics may think that students would just be a “rubber stamp” for anything alcohol, but I don’t think that’s the case. I would challenge those critics to give students a chance to prove them wrong because I know, through experience, that student don’t just want anything alcohol. No, we are smarter and more well-rounded than some think.
Students want fun, safe, interactive places to do more than vertical drinking. We want places where we can do more than just drink, places where we feel safe and comfortable to hang out, eat, play, relax, and have a good time. I would venture these sentiments aren’t just shared among students, but shared with the wider Madison community as well.
Jamie Stark over at the Daily Cardinal wrote a great piece on the issue, expanding on how the current student “technical adviser” (non-voting position) shows significant student interest in the position.
My amendment failed to pass a few weeks ago, but the opportunity to add a student voting member on the ALRC is far from over, in fact, quite the contrary. The original proposal returns to the CCOC and Common Council this Tuesday, Oct. 6th, and I plan on re-introducing the student voting member amendment, this time armed with the full legal language and definitions that were previously absent, an absence that cause some self-professed would-be-supporters to vote against the amendment because they were unclear of the details. Not a bad reason, I admit. But now the language and details are clear and the time to show that this city can walk the walk in engaging, empowering, and enfranchising (ah, the rhetorical powers of alliteration) students to be full, active, informed, voting members on a committee they care about is now.
Again, I plan to introduce the reformed and defined amendment tomorrow, Oct. 6th at the 4:30pm CCOC meeting and we’ll have to see how that goes and maybe again before the full Council 2 hours later at 6:30pm.
And for all you junkies out there, here is some of the language of the proposed change to add the student voting member:
DRAFTER’S ANALYSIS: This substitute ordinance adds an alder and an adult resident to the Alcohol License Review Committee. The Committee will then consist of 9 members: 3 alders and 6 adult citizens, one of which shall be a student at UW-Madison, MATC or Edgewood. Term of service is revised from two years to three years, except that the student appointee is a 2-year term. The effective date of this ordinance shall be January 1, 2010.
(c) One of the adult resident appointments shall be a student, at least 18 years of age, enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison Area Technical College or Edgewood College. The term of the student appointment shall be two (2) years. The student governments of each university or college may submit nominations to the Mayor, and any other student may apply for appointment. The Mayoral student appointment is, like other adult resident appointments, subject to confirmation by the Common Council.
Pass or fail, this initiative for a student voting member on the ALRC has created some great discussions about alcohol policy relating to students and the role students can and should plan on this and other issues here in Madison. Thoughts, feedback, ideas? As always, feel free to email me at: district8@cityofmadison.com
Downtown Coordinating Committee on Campus
The Downtown Coordinating Committee (DCC) is holding its September meeting on the UW campus this Thursday, September 17th at 5:30pm in the Memorial Union (4th floor, Capitol View Room).
The DCC meeting is on campus for the primary reason of hearing from students so please come and share your concerns, ideas, suggestions, complaints, experiences, etc… with an important and influential city committee.
As you can see from the agenda, topics to be discussed are very student-centered, including downtown/campus safety, Halloween, State St, and an open forum to hear from students. This is a unique time to have your voice heard so please take advantage of this great opportunity!
Hope to see you Thursday evening on campus!
Alder Hours
In an effort to continually hear from and talk with students and community members, I will be holding Alder Hours twice a week throughout the fall ’09 semester. Please feel free to stop by and chat about any ideas, concerns, problems, etc..
MONDAYS: 10am-11am @ the Memorial Union, Lakefront on Langdon Room
THURSDAYS: 1:00pm – 2:00pm @ Gordon Commons
Alder Hours are an important way to hear from constituents and I encourage anyone and everyone to stop by and talk, whether it is about city issues or not. Just like office hours for professors and TA’s, Alder Hours are “open door” opportunity to voice your thoughts. All are welcome, not just district residents, but of course students are especially encouraged to stop by. I will have a bright yellow piece of paper to attract you to my table. If you don’t see it, look for the skinny kid with funny black glasses. If you cannot make it to either time, please email me to set up a time to meet! My email is district8@cityofmadison.com
During my campaign for the Common Council I pledged a “Contract with Students” to be a visible and accessible member of campus and of the City of Madison. Alder Hours are an significant part of that pledge and I made the pledge a public “contract” in order to be held accountable to dedicated accessibility, so please come visit and hold me to it. Hope to see you at the Union or Gordon Commons soon!
– Bryon
Coming Soon: U Square Grocery Store
I just got off the phone with the developer and it is confirmed that there will be a new grocery store in the University Square building at the corner of University and Lake.
Details are in the works but the tentative schedule is a Sept. 28th build start with a projected opening in the first or second week of January, just as many students will be returning to campus from winter break.
I talked with the developer a few months ago and I understand that the store, which will not be a large national chain, will be a full service grocery store with an added focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, organic options, and pre-made/take-out.
Feel free to call or email me with any questions! district8@cityofmadison.com or 608-335-5091.
University Square Restaurant Proposal
At a recent Alcohol License Review Committee meeting there was a request for an alcohol beverage license for a new establishment hoping to move into the University Square building at 702 W Johnson, which lies in my district. People may be familiar with the space, as a previous alcohol license was approved for the ‘Field Pass’ in the same location some time ago.
That Field Pass project has since not worked, mainly because of financial reasons, and the space is currently sits about half built. The previous tenant began building the space with a two story design that has some half and full walls, fixtures, floors poured, plumbing, electrical, etc… built into the space at the present. Costs to remove these already built area are estimated around $750,000 to $1 million, and like I said, that is just to remove everything and start over. Pretty daunting eh? Especially with the economy these days, it didn’t seem likely anyone would be able or willing to make a multi-million dollar investment in that space, hence it’s vacancy since the building’s completion about a year ago.
Enter the team of Scott Acker, owner of the Quaker Steak and Lube in Middleton, and partners Greg Rice, owner of University Square, and Conrad Arnold, a manager at the Lube and owner of the Opis Lounge in downtown Madison. This team came up with a concept that allowed use of the existing built-in parts of the space as well as added their own creative vision for how they felt the space could better be utilized. This project would be about a $4 million dollar infusion into the downtown.
The ALRC questioned and debated this application for around 4 hours (yes I was there for all of it and so was the ASM representative and my former opponent-turned-colleague, Mark Woulf. Mark sits on the ALRC as the newly formed student representative *thanks Eli* and is a non-voting member. As an Alder, I have the privilege to sit on any board or committee as a defacto non-voting member ). After lengthy and colorful discussions, the ALRC voted to refer the application until the next meeting in September. After multiple meetings with the applicants, walking through the space, talking with those in opposition and hearing from those in support, I want to give my take on the project through this post.
The design of the 702 W Johnson proposal centers around a Wisconsin Badger sports-themed restaurant, think of an ESPN zone meets a Dave and Busters, and is has three main components: First, the first floor, with Wisconsin sports memorabilia, state-of-the-art interactive games, giant plasma screens, and seating for 450 (their tentative capacity requested for the main floor). Second, a bit more upscale restaurant (not too upscale tho, highest priced item on the menu around $24) on the second floor with tables and chairs for 150 (their tentative projected capacity for this space). Third, a 300 person capacity banquet room area that is also able to be broken down into three 100 person rooms. (note: the Field Pass design was pretty much one big restaurant/bar with some game area and had a capacity of 550) There are also some ideas floating around of turning some of this space into a bowling alley or some similar mixed use game space.
These three areas have a combined tentative total of a 900 person capacity. Sound pretty big? Sure is. Sound scary or unsafe? To some it sure does. That being said, here are some reasons why I support their alcohol license application and reasons why I fully support the development of this restaurant:
- This is the exact kind of development we want in our downtown/campus community. The city has said, through the density plan passed before my time on the Council, that we don’t want new bars in a certain area of the downtown which this project is in. I have never been a fan of this but ok, lets work with what we have. The project designed in the U Square space is not a bar, it is a restaurant before all else. Will it serve alcohol? Yes, but in order to receive the alcohol license, the operation has to follow the percentage of food vs. alcohol sales that requires more food than booze. I really think that what will draw patrons to this space will be atmosphere and games first, food second, and alcohol third. There are plenty of other places to grab a drink but not too many great Badger sports places to watch a game, grab some food, and hang out with people of all ages. This is a true multidimensional, mixed-use space that we want in the future of our campus and downtown area. This restaurant will be a destination, attracting people to stay in the downtown, infusing more customers into area businesses and even other restaurants and bars.
- Speaking of all ages, this restaurant will be one of the few places in the campus area for people of all ages to stick around downtown after UW activities and other events, like after Kohl Center games, football games, theater performances, concerts, etc… So many families skip town right after these events because there are not many places they see as “friendly” to grab some food or drink before heading home. Are there some? Sure are. But not many that could match the atmosphere and interactive uses as this U Square plan.
- This restaurant would provide a safe and fun place for the thousands of 18-20 year olds in the campus area to hang out, especially late night. 18-20 year old students need options. Those in that age range have severely limited options if they want to hang out with friends in a social atmosphere, with many choosing behind the closed doors of dorm rooms and in the crowed apartments or basements in off campus houses or apartments. These are not the safest places, especially when this restaurant could provide a social place for them to be with those 21+, obviously not drinking, but in a fun, interactive place they are in the open, with friends, under the supervision of staff and peers. Campus and the city should be thinking of more ways to get kids out from behind closed doors and into the open, because right now, most of late night entertainment is dominated only for the 21+ crowd. How nice would it be for freshmen in the dorms to walk across the street at later that 9pm, which is the normal time for bars to kick out those under 21, and play interactive golf or hockey, throw a few games of bowling, or just socialize with their friends of all ages in a fun, Badger sports atmosphere!
- On capacity, especially late night capacity. Yes there are a number of restaurants and bars in the downtown and all of them combined have a large capacity. However, how many of these places allow 18-20 year olds in past 9pm? How many attract families after events in the campus area? Close to none. I agree with ALRC members that had concerns about capacity that defined conditions are needed to make sure there wont be 900 people on the street at bar time. But when you look at what this place really is, not just what it looks like on the surface, those concerns begin to be addressed. 1. The main sports themed floor has a proposed capacity of 450. This space would be the main all-ages area and therefore would not be 100% people drinking until bar time because of the ability of 18-20 year olds hanging out there late night, watching a game, playing games, or grabbing some food. Furthermore, part of this space would be open past bar time, allowing patrons to grab late night food or water/sodas, significantly reducing the problems we have seen when everyone is kicked out at bar time and there are hundreds of people on the sidewalk at once, plus add having a number of them being inebriated and you have even more issues. The applicants even agreed to stop serving alcohol earlier than required by law, which has the added benefit of clearing out those who are only looking for that last drink or two to put them over the top and keeps those in the space who are looking to hang out or grab some food on their way out. Finally, this space has something like only 30 bar stools on the whole level, with seating for the whole capacity of 450. Know what that means? Almost non-existent vertical drinking space and service at tables by servers. How many places downtown guarantee a place to sit?! Plus, having a server take food and drink orders adds to the safety of those drinking with another pair of eyes regulating people’s intake of alcohol. 2. The fine dining area, with a proposed capacity of 150. This space has 6 bar stools and the rest are table settings, again serviced by servers. This space would not occupy a full 150 people drinking until bar time and therfore reduces the number of people drinking late night. I agree with ALRC members that the capacity of this area needs to be defined in a license condition as to when time this area will be open until. If the applicants can define in a condition that this area will not be open past say 12 or 12:30pm or something, I think those with capactiy concerns will be more comfortable, as will I. 3. The final area that is of now slotted as banquet space with a proposed capacity of 300. Like the fine dining area, this space should have defined capacity related to time, reducing the late night capacity. Say the fine dining will be open at the latest until 12pm and say they are at 50% capacity at midnight and therefore have 75 people that have to leave. Even if they all want to go down to the main level, they cannot if that level’s capacity is full, and if its not full, their 75 would be added to the count downstairs and therefore not exceed their 450 capacity. If the latest the banquet space is open is 1am, they have to follow the same rules. With ideas of turning that space into a possible bowling alley, that naturally would reduce that space’s capacity. THEREFORE, the total capacity at bar time, 1:30pm on Sunday through Thursday and 2am Friday and Saturday, would be the 450 from the main floor. That, considering the Field Pass was approved with 550 and had limited to no similar conditions, and the fact that the whole 450 does not have to be out on the sidewalk a minute after bar time, like most places, because of their late night food service till 3am or so, would help the trickle out method that would reduce crowds. Not to open up Pandora’s box, but there are bars in the area, just bars serving only alcohol, that have similar or even a larger capacity than 450 that kick their whole capacity out at bar time, so arguments that a place with less capacity than those, a place that also serves food until 3pm, is less safe doesn’t fully fit this case.
- The main first floor area will serve breakfast starting at 6am, take out or dine-in lunches, and food until 3am. Also, the banquet area will not severe alcohol without the accompaniment of food.
- The applicants estimated the project will create 225 new jobs in the downtown and campus community, many of which will be part-time jobs for students.
Overall, there are absolutely details to be worked out to address the many serious concerns and issues that this scale of a project entails. Again, I strongly feel this is the kind of place we want as a campus and downtown community and also the kind of place we should be encouraging as a city. I am going to try to meet with the applicants to discuss their plans and possible conditions, continue to talk with those who have concerns, and am sure I’ll continue to hear from those that are flat out opposed to the project. I want this project to happen and am open to hearing creative ideas as to how we can make this opportunity work.
If you want let me know what you think, shoot me and email at district8@cityofmadison.com or call me at 608-335-5091. Again, if you feel strongly on either side of the project, the Alcohol License Review Committee is going to re-take-up the application at their September meeting, to which I will definitely publicize and link to once I know the details.
Mayor’s Blog Entry on Students
I want to share a blog entry from Madison’s Mayor, Dave Cieslewicz, about the impact and role of students in Madison. The Mayor has become quite the blogger and I am happy to see some words about the student community here in Madison. With some 42,000 at UW, around 15,000 at MATC, and about 2,000 more at Edgewood, college and university students make up a HUGE portion of Madison’s intellectual, social, cultural, and economic engine.
The Evolution of a Couch
Over the next few days, the terraces of downtown Madison will become stacked with the flotsam of middle class America. A lovely mauve couch, the height of fashion in 1985, will go to its final resting place after starting life in a place of honor in the living room, then moving down to the family rec room, then on to a student rental and then another one and another one until it ends up on the curb on Gilman Street.
The UW is the largest, most influential institution in our city, far outdistancing state government or any one industry. The UW provides good paying, stable jobs to 16,000 faculty and staff. Ideas hatched at the UW often spin off into successful businesses that create wealth and employ still more people.
But the biggest asset of the UW for our city is the students themselves. Every year 6,000 or so of the brightest young people in the world come here as freshmen. (Thankfully the old Board of Regents admissions standards weren’t so tough back in 1979, or I wouldn’t be here writing this today.) It’s these kids who will eventually hatch some of those ideas and build some of those businesses and virtually every one of them will develop a life-long attachment to our town. They’ll speak of Madison fondly wherever their lives take them, providing us better advertising then any marketing campaign could ever create. And from time to time most of them will return for a weekend, reconnecting with some of their fondest memories of Madison and pumping up our tourism economy while they’re here.
Maybe most importantly, students keep us young and vibrant. Each new batch of students brings their own music, clothes, ideas and energy to town along with their stereos, beat up couches and retro lava lamps. The annual influx of new young blood keeps Madison connected to the latest trends in everything…and provides the final resting place for tons of once prized family furniture.
For most of us college is about choosing a career, learning who we are and making lifelong friendships. So, the social aspects of college life are important, and that shouldn’t be forgotten by people of my age who want nothing more after nine o’clock then a good book and the remote control. The UW has long held a deserved reputation as a place of high academic standards and achievement, but also a place where those same hard working scholars know how to have a good time. That reputation and the kind of young person it attracts have shaped our city for decades. Smart but not full of ourselves, hard working but fun loving is who we are as a people.
So, welcome back kids. Study hard. Have some fun. And remember that moderation in all things is not a bad piece of advice.
Move Out – Move In Tips
The old couches and desks are filling the curb and that means one thing: campus/downtown move-out is fully upon us. (thankfully I am not moving, half because my roommates and I really like our place, half because we didn’t want to have to go through the move again)
I’ll be walking around the student neighborhoods over the next few days, saying farewell to those moving out of the 8th district and also welcoming in many of the new 8th district residents. Since many, if not most, residents are first time renters, it is important to get the word out about best move-out practices to ensure students are not taken advantage of by landlords, especially relating to security deposit deductions. Thus, I will be handing out some tips and links to help educate tenants of their rights and responsibilities. A few other avenues have also been very supportive of these efforts, including Brenda Konkel over at the Tenant Resource Center (see links for more tips).
Here are some tips to all who are braving the move:
– Clean, try to make the apartment as clean as when you moved in.
– Take pictures of your apartment. You can request photo proof of security deposit deductions from your landlord!
– Forward your mail and leave your new address with your landlord—all correspondence and security deposit returns will be sent to your last known address unless otherwise specified in your lease.
– When you arrive at your new place, take the time to thoroughly inspect your apartment and document ALL existing damage and wear and tear on your check-in form, so that you won’t be charged for those items when you move out next year.
– The Tenant Resource Center is a great source of information, advice, and help for all questions, concerns, or complaints. Check out their website, www.tenantresourcecenter.org or call them at 608-257-0006. The TRC is open M-F from 9am to 6pm and will be open Aug 15th & 16th from noon to 4pm.
– Feel free to me at district8@cityofmadison.com or call me at 608-335-5091 with any questions or concerns.
Also, the City of Madison Streets & Recycling have come up with some great plans to help those moving. From their website:
New this year, the Streets Division will be emptying refuse and recycling carts everyday between Monday August 10th through Friday August 14th. Fill up your carts according to the guidelines below and roll them to the curb anytime this week.
We will empty your carts so you can fill them up again. You may fill up your carts and roll them out as often as you like during the week of August 10th.
Using your carts for refuse and recycling is easier than lugging bags or material to the curb. It will keep your neighborhood cleaner and make this year’s move out the easiest ever.
Guidelines:
It also means that several hundred tons of trash will make its way to the curb in a three day period. The Streets Division needs your help to make this year’s move out as orderly as possible. Please follow these guidelines when placing trash and recycling at the curb during the move out.
- Do NOT put trash in cardboard boxes. Boxes must be flattened and bundled for recycling. Go to: Mandatory Recycling
- Keep refuse and large items separate when placed at the curb.
- Nothing but recycling in your green recycling cart. Do not put recycling in your tan refuse cart.
- Put all recycling at the curb in the green recycling cart or clear plastic bags. No loose piles of recycling.
- Do Not Take The Recycling or Refuse Carts. The Carts belong to the City and must remain behind when you move. There will be carts at your new apartment if you will be using City recycling services.
- Do not pile bagged trash or large items around your recycling or refuse carts.
- Put all refuse at the curb in your tan refuse cart or trash bags. No loose piles of trash/garbage.
- Do not pile bagged trash or recyclables on top of furniture or appliances.
- Keep larger metal items separate from other material so that it can be recycled.
- Most appliances, including microwaves require a fee for collection. Go to: Appliance Collection
Questions? Call 246-4532 East or 266-4681 West.
Donate Your Usable Goods
Many renters find that they have many usable items they no longer need such as clean clothing, small furniture, unopened nonperishable food, and kitchen items. Instead of throwing those items out when you move, we have organized several places where you can donate usable items in the downtown area.
Please, no junk, just items that can be reused.
Just bring your usable goods to the following location on the dates listed and they will be put to good use by St. Vincent DePaul and Goodwill.
Downtown Drop Off Sites For Usable Goods:
Gorham & Henry: Holy Redeemer Church Parking Lot
120 W. Johnson St. Just off State St.
St. Vincent de Paul truck
- August 11 to 13, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- August 14th 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Regent & Mills: Behind McDonald’s on Regent St. in UW Lot 51
St. Vincent de Paul truck
- August 11 to August 13, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- August 14th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
New Location: Bassett & Mifflin
near the old Mifflin St. Co-op
Goodwill truck
- August 11 to 13, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- August 14, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sell or Give Away Use-able Items or Find Bargains for Your New Apartment on the Madison Stuff Exchange
Because so many people are moving into new apartments, the demand for used furniture and other household items will be very high. That makes this a great time to list items you no longer use on the Madison Stuff Exchange.
Area residents should take advantage of the influx of new residents by listing unwanted household items on the Madison Stuff Exchange. This free web sites is also a great place for new residents to find items for their apartment.
Residents of Madison and Dane County can register to use the site at no charge. Items can be given away or offered for sale. There is a maximum sale price of $99 for any item and businesses may not use the site to sell their products or services. Residents looking for items can also register and post their wanted list on line.
The address of the Madison Stuff Exchange is www.madisonstuffexchange.com.
GOOD LUCK WITH THE MOVE! FAREWELL FORMER 8th DISTRECTERS, WELCOME NEW 8TH DISTRICTERS!
Move Out Night
The annual move-out/in is soon upon the campus community and I am excited to publicize the first real organized effort to help students who are with out a place to sleep or store their stuff between leases.
With a host of sponsors lead by UW’s Student Government, ASM, MOVE OUT NIGHT aims to provide a safe, fun place to stay and is also coordinating places to store belongings. The Student Acticity Center at 333 East Campus Mall will be open 24 hours on August 14th and 15th, with plans of free food and entertainment. Check out the Facebook event for details as well as MOVE OUT NIGHT’S own twitter page!
I want to give a shout out to ASM on this one, way to show some much needed leadership! Special thanks to Hannah Karns who contacted me a while back about Move Out Night and also to Katy Ziebell who seems to be the point person, so contact her for more information at moveoutnight@gmail.com or call ASM at 606-265-4276. Here are the details courtesy of the ASM website:
Capacity and Building Information
- The 3rd and 4th floors of the Student Activities Tower at 333 East Campus Mall will be open 24 hours beginning Friday August 14th at 10am and will continue until the building reopens at 10am on Saturday August 15th
- You must have your student ID to gain entrance to the building.
- The SAC will lock down at 12am, no one else will be able to enter or re-enter, you can leave however if you have a different place to stay.
- The SAC has an official capacity of 269; get there early so you get a spot! There will be 80 lockers available for small personal item storage, and you must provide your own lock.
- The SAC is a University building and thus no alcohol will be allowed.
- If you are found to be intoxicated UWPD will ticket you and ask you to leave the premises.
- Again, UWPD will be present. Be smart and make good decisions!
Parking
- Lots 7 (Grainger); 83 (Fluno Center); 91 (Kohl Center) will be FREE to students that show a UW ID. (Lots 7 and 83 will be open from 12:00 noon August 14 to 12:00 noon on August 15. Lot 91 will be open from 10:00 am August 14 to 12:00 noon August 15.)
- Park at the Kohl Center if you have a trailer or tow behind apparatus, if you simply have a car/truck/van park under Grainger or the Fluno Center
- Lots will be patrolled by students, UWPD, Per Mar and special events staff throughout the night
Please lock all items in a vehicle and do not leave any valuables inside
Food
- Bagels from Einstein
- Coffee, night time snacks and other breakfast items from Tallard Apartments
- Popcorn from the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board
- Misc items will be covered by Campus Area Housing
Activities
- Raffle with prizes provided by Business and Downtown Information, University Bookstore, more to come.
- Free water bottles from WeConserve and Campus Area Housing.
- Student Organizations will also be holding events throughout the night.
- ASM will be sponsoring a movie.
- The Dean of Students will attend and an appearance from the Chancellor is pending.
Sponsors
ASM, Transportation Services, VIP, Campus Area Housing, Admissions, UWPD, Office of the Chancellor, ODOS, Tallard Apartments, WeConserve, SAFEU, Einstein Bagels, Wisconsin Alumni Student Board, UBS, the Downtown Neighborhood, Capitol Neighborhood Inc.
WI Institutes for Discovery Development
Corner of Campus Drive (Johnson) and Randall
Future glass zig-zag open stairs
Overlooking University Ave from 2nd floor
Looking up future circular staircase, covered skylight
Very open and transparent
Future site of trees, plants, water features facing University Ave
Official Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery website
Photos taken on my phone
Downtown Alcohol Issues
Issues surrounding downtown alcohol issues have gained attention over the past few weeks, stemming primarily from license non-renewal procedures on establishments in the downtown. Quite a few outlets have picked up on the topic of tavern checks/bar raids (terms that depend on the semantics used by police or students), including the Isthmus, the Critical Badger, Laptop City Hall, and the Sconz to name a few.
The alcohol license non-renewal process opened up the arena to discuss some of my own thoughts on the greater issues of alcohol in the downtown/campus area. At the June 2nd Council meeting, I gave the following remarks (re-posted to this blog from my other site after a few requests):
(I am going to type the following text from my notes and bullet points so please forgive any minor abbreviations exact consistencies from comments I gave in person that you can watch on the video.)
“I just wanted to talk for a few minutes about some of the non-renewals in my district and around the downtown campus area. First, I want to thank the police for trying to be proactive about safety issues, especially issues involving alcohol, but, I think we can agree to disagree on what are the best practices and priorities, specifically underage drinking. Now I don’t think this is the time or place to vigorously debate laws of the drinking age, but I do feel the targeting of catching underagers in bars merits discussion.
I am frustrated with the process of these non-renewals, even as the Alder, I was not included in any discussions with city staff or police about serious actions proposed in my district and I would appreciate future inclusion in future discussions. With the background of proposing these non-renewals, I am concerned about the priorities behind the rationale, especially dealing with the selective targeting and priority placed on catching underagers in bars. I am looking forward to meeting with Police Chief Ray in two weeks to discuss campus and downtown safety and this is one of the many topics I am eager to discuss.
It shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise to acknowledge that our state has a deeply rooted drinking culture, and our city is no exception. I again applaud the police and others, like County Executive Kathleen Falk, for not just sweeping alcohol issues under the rug as just part of the norm. However, I feel that the rationale for some of these non-renewals will not address these rooted issues and in some cases even make them worse. I am concerned about the prioritization and subsequent time, energy, and resources spent on trying to catch a handful of underagers in bars when a higher focus should be on real, serious crimes like assault and burglary. I know too many anecdotes and sat thought the ALRC trial to know how many hours and resources every weekend are spent on targeting underagers in bars, patrons who I would argue are actually the least likely to cause problems like fights because they know the added consequences they would face.
That being said, do I think the police have a safety role in bars? Absolutely. From enforcing fire code, to making sure no one is over-intoxicated or getting medical assistance to those in need, police absolutely play a major role in keeping bars safe. But what I am concerned about is focusing our limited police resources on catching 19 or 20 year olds when there are more serious public safety issues, as previously mentioned. Getting back to some of the cultural issues, I think we need to be pragmatic with the fact that 19 and 20 year olds who are set on drinking will drink. If the proposed non-renewals are efforts to stop underagers from drinking, the idea is far from the mark. If spending tons of police resources on issuing underage tickets in bars is a strategy to ‘teach kids a lesson,’ these efforts are again misplaced. I know it may come as a shock to some people, but like I said, 19 and 20 year olds set on drinking will drink, whether that is in a licensed establishment or behind closed doors.
This brings up another point about how people who are set on drinking are safer in regulated establishments where there are things like enforced fire code, licensed servers, known quantities of alcohol in drinks, and absence of secluded bedrooms. Conversely, the closed doors of dorm rooms and hot, overcrowded basements do not have these safeguards and are therefore seriously less safe for people consuming alcohol. Finally, I am concerned about how this non-renewal process, stemming from the prioritization of catching a handful of underagers in bars, will impact the relationship between police and young people, especially students here in the downtown. This targeting of 19 and 20 year olds in bars drives students to have a strained view of police when they should always be viewing them as protectors of safety. I again know too many instances where students were reluctant to call for help when they were drinking underage in the dorms and someone got seriously sick, but were hesitant to call for help because they were concerned about themselves getting in trouble for drinking underage. Or when uninvited guests at a party become belligerent or violent or steal things but the hosts are reluctant to call because there are underagers drinking there.
Are these the right choices made by students? No way. But there are inconvenient truths about how many young people act. These hesitancies to call for help are so contrary to what we are all taught that I think they are ignored because we are afraid to talk about these issues. Are there serious improvements that need to be made to the drinking culture in Madison, especially in the downtown-campus area? Yes. But instead of working against bars and against students, let’s work with them to address these serious issues, not just put a Band-Aid on the issues of alcohol so we can tell ourselves we are doing impactful things by displacing 19 and 20 year olds out of licensed establishments and into less-safe house parties and behind the closed doors of dorms and apartments. Issues relating to alcohol and safety are serious and seriously complex. There is no one solution, but by having a serious conversation about what our best practices and priorities should be, I think we can begin to get to the real issues behind these problems.” (end of remarks)
Issues of alcohol, especially underage drinking, are complicated and significant. I have talked with Police Chief Wray and Central Capt. Schauf about some of my concerns and will contunie to build on this dialage and the interest as well as concerns I have also heard from constituents, students, businesses, and other Alders. As Brenda Konkel noted (see comments) from a recent Public Safety Review Committee, the number of police incidents listed under LIQUOR LAW/BAR CHECK/OTHER has increased quite a bit: from 34 in 2006, to 144 in 2007, to 392 in 2008. As you can read from my remarks, I absolutely feel police presence in and around bars in a safety enhancer, however, as I noted, I do not feel spending hours checking IDs for 19 or 20 year olds is the best use of police time, energy, and resources.
Again as noted, targeting underagers in bars does not curb underage drinking, and I would argue, often pushes students into less safe environments like dorms or house parties, but more significantly, does not help the already strained relationship between police and young people. 18-20 year olds who are set on drinking are going to drink, whether that is behind the closed doors of a dorm room or in a house party or in a regulated, licensed establishment. I recognize and respect the law but would advocate for more discretion from the CPT who carries out the tavern checks/bar raids. There is no one “solution” to these issues and I don’t want to feed into some stereotypes that all students just want to be free to drink as much as they want, whenever they want, wherever they want, and that police should stay out of it. That is not the right approach to build consensus nor is it a good policy.
These topics and conversations are sure to continue and I look forward to responsibly and respectfully advancing the dialogue with students, police, businesses, and all interested parties.
Downtown Library
The Common Council recently had a presentation on the Central Library Proposal. The proposal, entitled “A Signature Idea,” was presented by the Madison Public Library and the lead team of The Fiore Companies and Irgens Development Partners.
The Mayor opened with a few thoughts, saying he has not yet fully decided whether or not he is going to include the full proposal into his capital budget, adding that the project would be “an investment in more than just one building.” He also said that the project may be worth the short term investment for its long term gain.
Next, the development team gave an elaborate and detailed PowerPoint, with the following noteworthy points:
- “doing nothing” is not an option because of the current library’s poor condition. this is a 50 year project
- the redevelopment would provide better meeting space, study space, computer space, and allow for more active programing
- the current library operates with 40% of its space open to the public and 60% administrative space. the proposed library would increase public space 30% to a total 70% public space
- usage of the central library has increased since 2003, with circulation going up 13.6%, visits increasing 8.4%, and internet usage growing a whopping 213.9%
- the future role of libraries: 1. encourage variable, collaborative, and social nature of learning 2. participants of a broader ‘fabric’ of learning infrastructure 3. real and iconic center of community culture, recreation, and education
- the developers would buy the current library site for $4 million and propose building a 250 room hotel that has 10,000 square feet of retail and 400 new parking stalls
- the projected total cost of the library is around $42,850,000 (which does not include planned loan forgiveness, with projected savings of aroud $8 million, bringing the cost down to $34,850,000)
- the projected funding sources of the project include the $4 million purchase from the city, $18.8 million in city funded tax exempt bonds, $10 million in New Market Tax Credits*, and $10 million in private grants and donations
- * the New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) were set up in the federal reinvestment and recovery bill (the stimulus), and are intended to spur economic development in public projects, with the site of the library on block 66 qualifying. the NMTCs use ‘Build America Bonds’ that have an interest savings of about 1%. the tax credits are bought by companies and infuse equity into projects and then the federal government then gives them tax credits in the end, this being the $8 million savings as the low interest set for 7 years and a projected 80% of the loan amount forgiven after the 7 years, again creating the $8 million in equity to the city (yeah, complicated eh? but sounds like a creative and adventageous funding stream that is a win-win for the city and private investors)
- with the proposed hotel-mixed use development, projected net benefits in city taxes total a flat $26 million over 50 years and $72 million over 50 years when a 2.5% escalation in taken into account
- let’s break down that $$$ for the city. from property taxes alone: $228,000 a year, a flat $11.4 million over 50 years, and $20.6 with escalation over 50 years. from room taxes: $789,000 a year, a flat $39.9 million over 50 years, and $72.5 million with escalation over 50 years. energy savings of $85,000 a year, a flat $4.25 million over 50 years, and $8.285 with escalation over 50 years. all that added up minus the city debt service over 20 years plus the NMTC brings the total net benefits to a flat $26 million over 50 years and $72 million with escalation over 50 years
- projected property taxes to madison schools: $252,000 a year, a flat $12.6 million over 50 years, and $22.9 million with escalation over 50 years. projected property taxes to MATC, Dane Co, WI: $111,300 a year, a flat $5.565 over 50 years, and $9 million with escalation over 50 years
- projected 200 construction jobs plus 500 indirect jobs sustained for 4 years
- Findorff estimates a total 10% savings in total costs if building contracts are set soon because of depressed construction prices
- northstar economics, inc reports a 400% return in economic contribution from libraries
This project has been in the works for a few years and having been on the council for a few months, this presentation was extremely helpful for me to understand the scope, costs, benefits, etc… of the proposed project. I am excited at the project’s potential investment in the city and look forward to talking with the city, mayor, and council over the next few weeks and months leading up to budget time!
Panhandling Alternative
Anyone who has ever walked down State Street knows that there are select areas of panhandlers asking for spare change. While people have differing opinions on panhandling, I think there can be common agreement that individuals asking for money can not only be a nuisance, but moreover, that panhandling may not be the best way for individuals that are truly in-need to receive money for resources and services, i.e. food, alcohol treatment, housing, childcare, medicine, etc… Sure, we’ve all seen people, maybe even ourselves, drop change into the cups or have seen a few dollars given here or there, but I doubt that the number of people who actually give money is anywhere near the number of people who want to help, even if its just giving some loose change in your pocket. Let’s face it, panhandlers don’t always have the best reputation, with stereo types and warnings that money raised will just be spent on alcohol or drugs. I’m not one to say that is an absolute truth, but hey, when you have a buck or change in your pocket and are asked for spare change, who hasn’t said they didn’t have any, or “sorry,” or “no,” or said anything at all and just kept walking? Who doesn’t feel at least a little guilty when you pass people who you know are in need of help but maybe don’t trust that your spare change will be used to actually help? Who hasn’t feared or assumed it may be used to exacerbate or propel some of the problems or issues of why that person is asking for money in the first place? Panhandling is not an easy issue by any means, especially because, digging deeper beyond the surface of asking for change, so many of the issues behind panhandling like homelessness, alcohol addictions, lack of food, medicine, or childcare rise from below and are even harder to address, much less talk about. It is important to recognize that not all panhandlers are alcoholics and some use the money raised on truly worthwhile resources. So, I think the questions about these issues should be: Are there better ways of reaching those who need help by getting them quality services? AND, is there a better way of reaching those who may want to contribute money, but do not because of a lack of confidence in how the money is spent?
Before I was elected to the Council, I met with Susan Schmitz from Downtown Madison Inc. Susan invited me to sit on a newly formed DMI Safety Subcommittee, which has since met about a half dozen times, mostly talking about chronic nuisance issues in the downtown and ways public and private entities can work together to address these and similar issues. A few days before one of the meetings, a friend and I were talking and he threw out the idea of using alternative methods to dissuade panhandling but still provide a way to raise money, specifically mentioning a system used in Denver where old parking meters are turned into fund-raising collectors in an effort to raise money for services by dissuading direct panhandling through more trusted giving. (I remembered seeing these in Denver when I was out there for the Democratic Convention and also read up on similar types in San Fran, Baltimore, and a few other cities.) So, at one of the meetings I threw out the idea of putting these here in Madison. Everyone on the committee seemed to be intrigued by the idea. Well, the committee met last week and I was excited to hear that DMI and the Police Department have been looking into the possibility, with an added focus on using more mailbox-like structures instead of the parking meters, primarily because this would allow for cash/check donations and not limit it to coins.
The details of the plans are being worked on but I think this would be a great addition to the State St. area, with strategic placement of the boxes in areas of high traffic and panhandling. I am also going to be talking with the University, businesses, and student groups/leaders about ways to promote these boxes if and when we can get them operational. Sure, I know there are details to be worked out, like who does the money go to? (I think the Madison Reach Out program would be a worthy cause: a partnership of DMI, the City, the University, businesses, etc. that works with programs like Porchlight, shelters, Tellurian, the United Way, and so many more) And also other questions like how can we make sure the boxes aren’t damaged or money stolen? Etc… but I think there many people in the downtown who would be confident in giving to these boxes, people who do not give spare change to panhandlers now, but would give to these boxes because individuals would be more confident that their contribution will be used for quality services and resources. The purpose of these mailbox-like places to give money isn’t just a way to raise money for services and resources, but would increase awareness of these issues here in Madison, especially in the campus and downtown area, and also provide an avenue for people who would like to contribute but may not trust the current methods of panhandling. Do I think we need to outlaw panhandling on State St? No. Do I think these boxes would help individuals in need and provide an avenue for people who are in a position to contribute some money, whether a few cents or a few dollars at a time, to fund programs and services that reach those in need? Absolutely.
What do you think?
(Oh yeah! made this as a concept via micrsoft paint!)
Welcome to my new blog
I have finally decided to start a new and improved blog, complete with what I hope includes an RSS feed (thanks for the hint Kristin) and commenting abilities, unlike my previous blog on my other site, www.bryoneagon.com
Although I have been a blog reader for quite some time, I am still learning the navigations of authoring, writing and editing my own, so please be patient as my “skills” develop. That being said, I am excited to share my thoughts with anyone interested and look forward to hearing your feedback. I’m going to try to keep it simple so dont expect award winning glamor quite yet…
Bryon Eagon's Blog 