The Madison area offers a large number of events and family friendly activities for all to enjoy. On Sunday, June 23, from 1‒6 pm, at the Airport Terminal, the Dane County Regional Airport will celebrate 80 years of providing commercial flights. Passenger air travel began here in 1939 when Franklin Roosevelt was president. 

The afternoon includes airfield tours, local food and beverages, and live music. The special guest performers include the Bluegrass band Soggy Prairie with five instruments, four voices and one fancy microphone. Singer and songwriter Chris Kroeze, who performs more than 200 shows per year, is also part of the festivities. For those thinking about a career in aviation, an on-site career fair with airfield employers is included. 

The county board is continuing to deliberate over four options to consolidate and address the serious and ongoing health and safety issues of those housed in our three jail locations. All options reduce the overall number of beds to 922 forcing additional reform of the criminal justice system. I believe it is likely the county will move forward with the South Tower Addition Option, building on county-owned land downtown located next to the Public Safety Building. This option provides urgently needed medical and behavioral health beds, nearly eliminates solitary confinement, and provides multipurpose space to meet the spiritual needs of the inmates. Youthful inmates would be housed separately, and the facility would come into compliance with all state and federal regulations. 

The current maximum security jail on the sixth and seventh floors of the City County Building opened in 1954. No one likes to spend money on a jail. However, it is irrefutable that we cannot continue to house people in inhumane and life-threatening circumstances that have been well documented for many years.

Supervisor Rusk can be reached at rusk@countyofdane.com or 249-9667.