Madison Reporter

Residents of Madison’s west side are invited to meet their district alders at an upcoming event organized by the Common Council. The “Faces of Our Westside Districts: Meet and Greet Edition 2025” will take place on Wednesday, September 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Wisconsin Neighborhood Center, located at Vel Phillips Memorial High School. The event is open to the public and aims to foster dialogue between residents and their elected representatives.

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly with both new and returning alders about issues affecting their neighborhoods. Registration is requested in advance through www.cityofmadison.com/meetandgreetSept10 to help organizers estimate attendance. Light refreshments will be available.

Alder John W. Duncan of District 1 explained his motivation for serving on the council: "I chose to become an alder because I recognize the vital role that local governance plays in fostering community engagement and responsiveness. Being an Alder affords me the opportunity to work collaboratively with others to formulate policies that improve public services, promote sustainability, and create equitable opportunities for all Madisonians." He added, "I hope to continue working on affordable housing, sustainable development, and community engagement, ensuring our council remains transparent and responsive to the diverse needs of Madisonians."

District 7’s Alder Badri Lankella said, "I chose to become an alder to be a voice for my community and to work collaboratively on issues like housing, transportation, sustainability, and public safety, all while ensuring equity and transparency in our decision-making." Lankella stated further goals include advancing policies for affordable housing, improving transportation options, promoting sustainable development, and encouraging inclusive community engagement.

Alder Joann Pritchett from District 9 described her path into city government: "Becoming an alder was not on my radar. I was drafted to become the voice of the 9th district. In addition to being the voice for all constituents in the 9th district and never shying away from a challenge, I accepted. I know that my lived experiences, policy and health care background, ability to conceptually see the 'big picture' and penchant for solving problems (especially those related to budgets) using performance measures, outcomes and evaluation and collaborating with others will prove useful with transparency, decision making and accountability." She hopes her tenure allows her "an opportunity to share the benefits of performance measures for budgeting purposes," engage constituents more actively, address housing challenges creatively, strengthen community ties, and collaborate on transparent policies.

Representing District 10 is Alder Yannette Figueroa Cole who shared: "I am passionate about our community and eager to make a difference. As an alder, I will continue to champion inclusive and equitable policies in public safety, housing, and transportation. Every voice in our community should be heard and valued." Her focus includes clarifying city systems such as budget processes while increasing engagement among residents whose voices are less often heard.

Alder John P. Guequierre serves District 19: "I thought that my background in affordable and sustainable housing and in finance and budgeting was a good fit for Madison’s greatest challenges of the current era." He intends "to contribute to the efforts to (1) accelerate the pace of housing development,(2) support budgeting that lets all Madison residents prosper, and (3) maintain Madison’s momentum in addressing climate change and climate resilience."

District 20’s Alder Barbara Harrington-McKinney emphasized her commitment: "I serve as an Alder because of my commitment to my community and public service. With my experience as a community organizer, I believe we can strengthen our southwest neighborhoods and the city together." She noted plans for active communication amid federal uncertainties impacting local government so constituents know their input matters when prioritizing public safety or other concerns such as traffic or natural area protection. Her vision is “for a Madison where every resident has a better opportunity to succeed,” focusing on effective outreach that encourages collaborative discussions rather than exclusion.

The meet-and-greet event seeks not only discussion but also relationship-building between council members and residents across districts including areas such as Ice Age Falls (District 7), Walnut Grove (District 9), Allied (District 10), University Research Park (District 19), Greentree Park (District 20), among others.

Residents unsure which district they reside in can use resources like “Find My Alder” available on the City’s website. Parking instructions direct attendees toward Vel Phillips Memorial High School’s main lot; entry is via doors adjacent to its Welcome Center.

For further information about this event or other inquiries regarding westside representation or participation opportunities within city governance structures focused on equity or civic engagement principles—contact Lorissa R. Bañuelos at Lbanuelos@cityofmadison.com or call (608) 332-8229.