Madison Is Facing Unprecedented Challenges & Issues
Dear Residents of the 9th Aldermanic District:
Without question, Madison and our nation are facing historic social and economic challenges, unforeseen since the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918. Furthermore, the related unemployment rate and economic crisis could replicate the recession of 2008. These unprecedented conditions have emotionally and economically impacted residents and those who own and operate small businesses.
These pressing conditions have coincided with Madison’s epidemic of gun violence and shootings and the ongoing gang violence that appears to be part of a growing drug war. Most tragically, our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of 11 year-old Anisa Scott, who was shot and killed in broad daylight last summer.
As a life-long resident of Madison, I have never seen such an increase in violent crimes, weekly and sometimes daily gun shootings, an increase in our city’s murder rate and gang-related violence. In addition, property crimes, such as burglary’s and auto theft, has had an 88% increase during the first and second quarter of this year, compared to the same time period in 2019.
Why I’m Announcing my Candidate for the 9th Dist. Aldermanic Seat
The exacerbated public health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the issue of increase crime, the tragic death of Anisa Scott, the growing racial disparities throughout our city. To add to today’s challenges, city officials have recently learned about the shocking report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) that Madison “is not on track in meeting our 2030 and 2050 environmental sustainability goals.”
For all these reasons, along with the incumbent alder’s failure in keeping residents fully informed of the Old Sauk Creek Restoration Project and his lack of support, in preserving and protecting the natural habitat of the Old Sauk Woods – I feel compelled, personally and professional to enter public life as a candidate for the 9th Aldermanic District.
The Need for Collective Civic Engagement & Being Kept Informed
No one person can solve the multitude of challenges and issues facing our beloved city and district neighborhoods. That’s why I will keep all of the residents of the 9th Aldermanic District informed – and fully engaged, so collectively we can work to solving today’s issues.
Why I’m Opposed to Full-Time City Alders
The City of Madison Task Force on the Structure of City Government has recently proposed to have full-time city alders, raising their annual salaries from $16,000 to $67,000 per year, plus full benefits, including a retirement pension – and the reducing the number of aldermanic districts from 20 to 10.
I am opposed to the Task Force members proposal – not only because it too costly and unwarranted, it will do more harm than good, as it relates to our legislative responsibilities on the Madison Common Council. Such a radical proposal, would have three major, negative impacts on Madison’s part-time citizen-servant Council; (1) It will destroy the current citizen-public-service Neighborhood Representation, that allows more citizens and neighborhood engagement in policy-making; (2) It would create more expense political campaigns to run for the city council – that will immediately attract “lobbyist-money-exchangers” who will want to politically influence aldermanic elections; and (3) It would decrease the number of citizens of color on the Common Council, at a time when our city needs to be more inclusive.
2021 Aldermanic Primary & General Election Dates
Madison’s Primary Election is Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021
Madison’s General Election is Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Requesting Your Feedback: I would welcome your feedback on any district and city issues, you feel are important. You can go to: www.AmatoForMadison.com and provide your feedback by clicking on: Contact and/or: provide your support in my campaign for the 9th Aldermanic District.
Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy. Take care and please keep safe!
Respectfully yours,
Anthony (Nino) Amato
UW–Adjunct Professor, “Sustainability Policy & Practices” & “Energy, Environment & Society”
Honorary Past President/CEO & Board Chair, Coalition of Wisconsin Aging & Health Groups
Email: amatoformadison@gmail.com
Authorized & Paid For By Amato-For-Madison, Patricia E. Anderson, Treasurer, 64 Oak Creek Trail, Madison, WI. 53717.