Community Talk Back
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the Editor
Support THRIVE
Dear Editor,
In our current national economic climate, it is critical we use every tool at our disposal, every advantage we have. Our actions today lay the
foundation for the economic climate of our region in years to come.
Our region is unique — and fortunate — that visionary leadership from around the region came together proactively during stronger economic
times a few years ago to discuss the future of the region. What is our shared regional vision? What are our assets — manmade and natural? How can
we collaborate to reach a strong, shared and sustainable future for the region?
Now is the time that we reap the benefit of the leadership and vision of stronger times. Now is the time that we need to come together as a
region. We can no longer afford to think of competition on a small scale, as we once did, city against city or county versus county — our competition
is now national and international, for resources like workforce, capital and innovation. Last December, the State of the Madison Region report issued
by “Thrive,” the economic development enterprise for the eight-county region, provided a glimpse at how we stack up against some peer regions. It
was no surprise that we were in the top tier for employment growth, income, and many quality of life measures. The numbers are not as good this
year, of course, but as a region we are still doing better than much of the nation and many of our peer regions. Regional collaboration is and will
continue to be our strongest competitive edge in today’s global economy.
While it may be a natural human response in trying times to “circle the wagons,” to pull your resources closer — now is the time for every
county, every community and every business in our region to pull together and share our strengths. We have seen how this benefits our communities:
Rock County, of course, is reeling in the wake of GM’s pullout, and yet collaboration, diversification of the county’s economy, and drawing on the
strengths and shared resources of the rest of the region is helping strengthen and build the economy even in these very difficult times. The benefits of
this approach include shared resources like data and planning tools, sharing information, leads and best practices in the region, and marketing the
region as a whole to the nation and the world (eight counties, eight times the resources — a strong, attractive package).
We’ve also seen how regional collaboration is sought after by business: Action Lift Chair, a specialty medical furniture manufacturer, chose to
locate its new manufacturing facility in Jefferson County not only for existing assets like skilled workforce and facilities — but also specifically
because Jefferson County is part of a larger, collaborating region that can help their business thrive. Working regionally has become a proven
strategy for strong communities, strong states and ultimately, a stronger nation. It begins here — and we are all responsible.
“Thrive” exists largely thanks to the contributions of private investors — businesses that understand that we are stronger working together.
Since its inception in 2007 and fully staffed in 2008, “Thrive” has implemented strong strategies to build our region’s economy in ways that preserve
and enhance quality of life in the region. The organization has been successful in what it set out to achieve in these past two years, and now is
embarking on a round of fundraising to continue delivering value for the next three years. The work of “Thrive” is critical, and continued support of
“Thrive” is needed. The original investors are stepping up again, and it will require their leadership and that of new investors from all eight counties
to keep the momentum going and see even more results that will benefit the entire region.
Now more than ever, we must all collaborate as a region to thrive.
Mark Cullen, Chairman, J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc., Co-Chair, Thrive Fundraising
John Wiley, Interim Chair, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Co-Chair, Thrive Fundraising
Community and Schools Together
Dear Editor,
The school referendum approved overwhelmingly by Madison Metropolitan School District voters in November 2008 was based on a
“Partnership Plan” that promised to maintain educational quality, initiate a community-wide strategic planning process, and mitigate the impact on
property tax-payers in a variety of ways.
While the school district remains committed to the principles of this Partnership Plan, with the uncertain economy many things have changed
since November. Most significantly, the recently enacted state budget has left MMSD facing what now looks like a $9 million reduction in state aid as
well as requiring an almost $3 million reduction in expenditures for the 2009-10 school year.
As the MMSD Board of Education seeks ways to address the shortfalls created by the state budget, Community and Schools Together (CAST)
believes it is important that the community recognize that this problem was created by state officials, not local decisions. The reductions in revenues
and in funding for targeted programs (via categorical aids) will impact every district in the state. Madison is one of about 100 districts that have had
their general state aid cut by 15 percent, but almost all districts are experiencing significant reductions in state support and will be contemplating
higher than anticipated property tax increases.
These cuts come after 16 years of inadequate funding, annual cuts in most districts as well as reductions of the state’s portion of education costs
in recent years. This recent state budget moves us further away from the sustainable, equitable and adequate educational investments that are
needed to keep Madison and Wisconsin strong and competitive.
It is also important that the community understand that the tax and revenue projections in the Partnership Plan and those used in the preliminary
district budget passed in May were good projections made in good faith based on the best available information. That preliminary budget strengthened
education and held property tax mil rate increase to 1¢ (far below the 11¢ increase anticipated prior to the referendum).
In the coming months the Board of Education must find ways to meet the shortfalls created by the state budget. There are no good choices.
These choices involve some combination re-budgeting and re-allocating, potential new cuts, use of the district’s recently growing fund balance,
temporarily employing targeted stimulus monies, or increasing the local tax levy. CAST urges the Board to retain their commitment to quality education
and community involvement. We also ask the community to take advantage of opportunities to let all our state and local elected officials know that
Madison values education.
CAST Co-Chairs:
Thomas J. Mertz – 608-255-1542, Carol Carstensen – 608-255-8441, Troy Dassler — 608-241-5183
Community and Schools Together (CAST) is a grass roots organization dedicated to securing sustainable, adequate and equitable public
education investments in Madison and Wisconsin.
Dear Editor,
In our current national economic climate, it is critical we use every tool at our disposal, every advantage we have. Our actions today lay the
foundation for the economic climate of our region in years to come.
Our region is unique — and fortunate — that visionary leadership from around the region came together proactively during stronger economic
times a few years ago to discuss the future of the region. What is our shared regional vision? What are our assets — manmade and natural? How can
we collaborate to reach a strong, shared and sustainable future for the region?
Now is the time that we reap the benefit of the leadership and vision of stronger times. Now is the time that we need to come together as a
region. We can no longer afford to think of competition on a small scale, as we once did, city against city or county versus county — our competition
is now national and international, for resources like workforce, capital and innovation. Last December, the State of the Madison Region report issued
by “Thrive,” the economic development enterprise for the eight-county region, provided a glimpse at how we stack up against some peer regions. It
was no surprise that we were in the top tier for employment growth, income, and many quality of life measures. The numbers are not as good this
year, of course, but as a region we are still doing better than much of the nation and many of our peer regions. Regional collaboration is and will
continue to be our strongest competitive edge in today’s global economy.
While it may be a natural human response in trying times to “circle the wagons,” to pull your resources closer — now is the time for every
county, every community and every business in our region to pull together and share our strengths. We have seen how this benefits our communities:
Rock County, of course, is reeling in the wake of GM’s pullout, and yet collaboration, diversification of the county’s economy, and drawing on the
strengths and shared resources of the rest of the region is helping strengthen and build the economy even in these very difficult times. The benefits of
this approach include shared resources like data and planning tools, sharing information, leads and best practices in the region, and marketing the
region as a whole to the nation and the world (eight counties, eight times the resources — a strong, attractive package).
We’ve also seen how regional collaboration is sought after by business: Action Lift Chair, a specialty medical furniture manufacturer, chose to
locate its new manufacturing facility in Jefferson County not only for existing assets like skilled workforce and facilities — but also specifically
because Jefferson County is part of a larger, collaborating region that can help their business thrive. Working regionally has become a proven
strategy for strong communities, strong states and ultimately, a stronger nation. It begins here — and we are all responsible.
“Thrive” exists largely thanks to the contributions of private investors — businesses that understand that we are stronger working together.
Since its inception in 2007 and fully staffed in 2008, “Thrive” has implemented strong strategies to build our region’s economy in ways that preserve
and enhance quality of life in the region. The organization has been successful in what it set out to achieve in these past two years, and now is
embarking on a round of fundraising to continue delivering value for the next three years. The work of “Thrive” is critical, and continued support of
“Thrive” is needed. The original investors are stepping up again, and it will require their leadership and that of new investors from all eight counties
to keep the momentum going and see even more results that will benefit the entire region.
Now more than ever, we must all collaborate as a region to thrive.
Mark Cullen, Chairman, J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc., Co-Chair, Thrive Fundraising
John Wiley, Interim Chair, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, Co-Chair, Thrive Fundraising
Community and Schools Together
Dear Editor,
The school referendum approved overwhelmingly by Madison Metropolitan School District voters in November 2008 was based on a
“Partnership Plan” that promised to maintain educational quality, initiate a community-wide strategic planning process, and mitigate the impact on
property tax-payers in a variety of ways.
While the school district remains committed to the principles of this Partnership Plan, with the uncertain economy many things have changed
since November. Most significantly, the recently enacted state budget has left MMSD facing what now looks like a $9 million reduction in state aid as
well as requiring an almost $3 million reduction in expenditures for the 2009-10 school year.
As the MMSD Board of Education seeks ways to address the shortfalls created by the state budget, Community and Schools Together (CAST)
believes it is important that the community recognize that this problem was created by state officials, not local decisions. The reductions in revenues
and in funding for targeted programs (via categorical aids) will impact every district in the state. Madison is one of about 100 districts that have had
their general state aid cut by 15 percent, but almost all districts are experiencing significant reductions in state support and will be contemplating
higher than anticipated property tax increases.
These cuts come after 16 years of inadequate funding, annual cuts in most districts as well as reductions of the state’s portion of education costs
in recent years. This recent state budget moves us further away from the sustainable, equitable and adequate educational investments that are
needed to keep Madison and Wisconsin strong and competitive.
It is also important that the community understand that the tax and revenue projections in the Partnership Plan and those used in the preliminary
district budget passed in May were good projections made in good faith based on the best available information. That preliminary budget strengthened
education and held property tax mil rate increase to 1¢ (far below the 11¢ increase anticipated prior to the referendum).
In the coming months the Board of Education must find ways to meet the shortfalls created by the state budget. There are no good choices.
These choices involve some combination re-budgeting and re-allocating, potential new cuts, use of the district’s recently growing fund balance,
temporarily employing targeted stimulus monies, or increasing the local tax levy. CAST urges the Board to retain their commitment to quality education
and community involvement. We also ask the community to take advantage of opportunities to let all our state and local elected officials know that
Madison values education.
CAST Co-Chairs:
Thomas J. Mertz – 608-255-1542, Carol Carstensen – 608-255-8441, Troy Dassler — 608-241-5183
Community and Schools Together (CAST) is a grass roots organization dedicated to securing sustainable, adequate and equitable public
education investments in Madison and Wisconsin.