Dear Neighbors,

I hope you are keeping yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy. COVID-19 has really changed the world and it seems it’s going to be quite some time before things go back to normal, if they ever do. I keep hearing the words surreal, unprecedented, uncertain; and those words are certainly more relevant now than any other time I can recall in history.

Operating in a virtual world has become our new normal. During these stressful days, I have to praise Governor Evers and his team for looking after the great state of Wisconsin. You might have heard about the governor’s Badger Bounce Back Plan. He wants free access to COVID-19 testing for all residents. Those free testing services are now being offered at the Alliant Energy Center. 

As an elected official, I stand with you, our local businesses and our community. I know that staying home — with economic pressures, job uncertainties, health uncertainties, and not living our normal lives — is difficult. Those of you who have lost your jobs, who are sick or taking care of sick relatives, who are disabled, who are without child care, without access to the internet, without the ability to stock up on resources, those of you with other concerns or other struggles, I see you. You are in my thoughts when I’m thinking about policies to protect people or help our communities. I don’t have solutions for all the anxieties on our minds these days, but I want to tell you that I am here for you, just a phone call away. 

You can always reach out to me with any problem or concern at district12@cityofmadison.com or 608-572-6984. We may be short on hand sanitizer, but let’s take this opportunity to be heavy on empathy for our neighbors and thoughtful when we approach others in our community. We are in this together.