From Michael Vinson: Ald. Teege Mettille will be on WORT radio at 7 p.m. discussing Appleton's battle over domestic partner benefits. Ald. Metille was an eloquent and steadfast voice for fairness in the debate:

www.wort-fm.org 

First Batch of Door Hangers Ready!

From the first 1,000

Why I'm running

Why do I want to run? In the last year, I've been galvanized to take action, to no longer sit on the sidelines and complain, but to get involved and make my voice heard.  What's more, I know I can bring my talent and effective leadership to city council, particularly on issues that matter most to me:  economic and community development, which are tied to fairness and equity.

I also believe our council should also reflect the community it represents, and the present distribution of seats on the 16 (soon to be 15) seat council includes only two women.  We can model and demonstrate our commitment to diversity by electing a council that looks more like Appleton.

I've said before that I am progressive, and that  doesn't mean spending as much as we possibly can, breaking the bank in unrealistic and idealistic ways.  It means that we can creatively and innovatively attack municipal problems without leaving behind the people who can least afford it.  It also means that, when matters of principle are on the line, I won't waver--not when our community is counting on us the most. I will never refer an important issue, such as partner benefits, back to committee for political expediency.

Fairness should not be held hostage to inconsistency.

Why should you vote for me?  I'll bring my fierce devotion to progressive ideas to the council, and while I wish to find ways to build consensus, I absolutely will not back away from these fundamental values of equity and equality, or of finding ways for the city to hear and meet the needs of all its residents.  You can count on me to hold firm, and to always explain my votes.  In particular:

Happy Holidays: Value Families

Hanukkah begins, and the Christmas season is already well under way. I hope that every one has a lovely, peaceful, and restful holiday season. Whatever your background, whatever your celebration:  enjoy!   This time of year has always meant for me family traditions that mark both beginnings and endings. In a country as large and dynamic as ours, we do not credit ourselves nearly enough with a narrow focus on somebody else's definition of "traditional family values."

Let us, instead, with empathy and compassion, value family traditions. Let us value our families.

Truly the happiest of holidays to you and yours,

MKP

Scott Walker Kills Women's Cancer Screening Program For Political Gain

Really, the story is Scott Walker vs. the health care needs of women in the state he is supposed to govern.  Whether or not PP is too controversial seems to be not his call, unless he's been a patient.  This is quite apart from the fact that someone who needs health care attention rarely, to my mind, places someone else's sense of "controversy" high on the priority list.

Yet one more example of how the state programs affect us locally, and why we need forceful, unflinchingly progressive voices at all levels representing our community. 

Scott Walker and Planned Parenthood

Rep. Bernard Schaber discusses Valley Transit

Representative Penny Bernard Schaber presents two elegant solutions to the funding problems that threaten Valley Transit:

Rep. Penny Bernard Schaber column on Valley Transit

P-C Election Central update

A nice overview of the elections so far.  In particular, the race for the 4th now includes 3 declared candidates, which means a primary election on February 21st ahead of the April election.

Post Crescent Election Central