This installment of the Northside News is chock full of substantive topics. That’s an indication of the number of important issues facing the Northside right now, which is also reflected in my daily schedule lately.  

A large number of partners are engaged and working together to determine the best way forward on any number of complex topics: F-35s, PFAS contamination, Oscar Mayer Special Area Planning, the preservation of the Hartmeyer natural area, and the potential City purchase of Oscar Mayer real estate for bus storage. 

In the background of all of this, while the Northside Action Team does voter registration, we have Census 2020 outreach going on, along with peace-building and de-escalation trainings and a series of Community Healing Events for residents affected by the September homicide at Ridgecrest Apartments. 

NPC recently secured funds to explore a 24-hour worker-owned childcare cooperative, and we’ve moved ahead in a competition for funds to increase the incomes of 10,000 Dane County families by 10% (see page 7). NPC would also like to thank Dane Buy Local for the honor of receiving the 2019 Community Local Biz Award.

We just held our 15th Annual North Star Awards and are gearing up for our March 28 Taste the Future event, where we invite the community to enjoy what’s cooking at FEED Kitchens at a free dinner at Warner Park Community Recreation Center. 

We also just celebrated the grand re-opening of the Madison Oriental Market, where NPC played a critical role in making much needed renovations possible. We welcome our newest full-service grocery store, are excited about the diversity of food cultures represented in their offerings, and thank the Lee family and Martee Mikalson for their hard work in completing the project.

I want to say a personal thank you to our staff and to all the residents, partner organizations, businesses and stakeholders who made our work possible this year. I hope it’s no secret that I love this community — the work we do, while daily requiring me to grow and learn and use every last bit of skill I have, is deeply meaningful and fills me with hope. So thanks for letting me serve. I am grateful.