Really hope everyone has a chance to listen to this one...No guest on this episode of What Are We Building?, but I had plenty to talk about...
If you don't have time for the whole thing, cue it up to 43:30, listen for 6 minutes and (PLEASE) write an e-mail to: councilandmayor@cityofsunprairie.com
I started off with a bit of a rant after the latest round of Facebook whining about the possibility of new development at a location near QBE. Then I had the great joy of talking with Sunshine Anderson - They are the Museum Programming & Design Coordinator for Sun Prairie's Historical Library and Museum. We had a great conversation about a bunch of great stuff, from their love of History to LGBTQ issues, including Sun Prairie's Pride Fest (coming up on Saturday June 28th) and Drag Shows!
Plus, updates on what's happening Downtown related to the arts (like the new Murals) and new businesses coming into the Monarch on Main building.
We're kicking off June with a new episode of "What Are We Building?" To start, I shared some thoughts and reflections around my handling of the interview and comments from City Council Alder Mike Jacobs, before giving an update on some new businesses coming to town.
Then, I had a lovely conversation with Alder Cassi Benedict where she shared her experience serving on City Council and working with city staff. Among other things, we talked about the importance of respectful communication, how stop signs are more complicated than you might think, the upcoming referendum, and balancing the community's needs vs wants.
A native of Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area, Sun Prairie Alder Mike Jacobs has never been shy about speaking his mind. We talked about the new newly elected mayor and alders, and some blowback to his recent comments related to the importance of experience on City Council.
We also got into his education and background as a historian and professor at UW Platteville Baraboo-Sauk County, being Catholic, and teaching about controversial subjects like the KKK and Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Plus, I open the show with some updates of ongoing projects being built in Sun Prairie and thoughts on how Trump's tariffs will affect the "little guy."
After a few month hiatus, What Are We Building is BACK! Coming out of the gate HOT with blistering commentary on how Trump/Musk/DOGE, Cash Money, USAID, and Christian Values. Then, Andy talks with former Sun Prairie Alder Faustina Bohling about her time on the City Council and why (contrary to what you may have heard) supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a GOOD thing.
This month's guest is Dr. Brad Saron, Superintendent of the Sun Prairie School District. Naturally, we talked about the referendum, teacher pay, and the overall goals and accountability for the administration.
Regardless of your opinion on the Referendum, I would encourage you to listen with an open mind and, if you still have questions, reach out to the district for answers.
I also talked at the top of the show about the new Johnson Financial location, as well as several new ethnic grocery stores.
This month Andy's guest is Jennifer Lee of Faded Roots boutique. They talked about being a small business entrepeneur selling eclectic fashion, as well as her experience moving to a new location and restoring a historic church downtown.
Plus, Andy opened the show with some additional thoughts on the 1 Communications Dr site, as well a political endorsement and some events around town!
Let's have more PhD's running for office please! On this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Regina Vidaver, Candidate for Dane County Executive. From graduate school at UW to public health policy, we discussed her experience during the Covid pandemic and resettling Afghan refugees, as well as her time on the Madison City Council providing no-interest loans for child care and championing the Madison Public Market. Plus, I shared my thoughts on why the Plan Commission's recent decision around the Black Men's Coalition housing project was a mistake.
On a new episode of "What Are We Building?" Andy had the great pleasure of speaking with Wes Sparkman, currently the Director of The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion in Dane County, and candidate for Dane County Executive. They had a terrific conversation about Wes's journey from Chicago, to UW and the LaFollette school, to ultimately serving the community in a myraid of ways, including over 25 years in State and County Government. Wes is a dedicated public servant, who believes government can be an efficient, effective, force for positive change. Give it a listen!
I was supposed to speak with Dana Pellebon, who is running for Dane County Executive, but unfortunately she didn't show up for the interview. Instead, it's an all-Andy show and gave me a chance to yammer on about the proposal for Downtown at Bristol & Main, Sun Prairie's efforts to be more sustainable, and the decision to replace the St Mary's ER with a new surgery center.
Do you vote at Heartland Church or United Methodist? You probably live in District 2 and can vote for a new City Council representative on April 2nd! The 2 candidates running are Santiago Rosas and Bill Baker - Andy had them both on the most recent episode of "What Are We Building?" Hear about their backgrounds, priorities for the city, and thoughts on recent projects like the Black Mens Coaltion housing and the proposed downtown hotel.
Maybe the biggest political name we've had on the show yet! Andy sat down with Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Agard. Among other things, he learns she's also running for Dane County Executive. Serious discussions about Cannabis legalization, Abortion Access, Taxes and more.
Plus, Andy opens the show with a lot of news about what we're building in Sun Prairie: find out where we're getting more apartments, a new medical clinic, bar & grill, corporate HQ and a bank branch in 2024!
Note: we have reached out to the other candidates for Dane County Executive and hope to have them on the show as well if they choose.
This month's guest is David Virgell, City Council Alder for District 4. We had a great chat about the Westmount Roundabout, big cities vs small towns, and the Black Men's Coalition proposal. Also, listener mail(!) and an update on Hyvee and the Corner of Bristol & Main downtown.
Cassi Benedict wears a lot of hats, from working for the State of WI DPI to being a Mom of 2 kids and 4 pets, and she's looking to try on another one: City Council Alder.
We had a great conversation about how her background and lived experience inform her views on policy and the role of city government.
How does growth and progress affect your civic pride and satisfaction with where you live? We talked about that and so much more in a spectacular conversation with Korab Krasniqi, a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones and owner of 240 E. Main St. Downtown.
Korab's fascinating story led him to Sun Prairie, and also to understand the importance of building relationships, community and why "communication is life."
Hey Hey! Have you heard about the Heyday Development in Sun Prairie? It's a brand new neighborhood of 4 and 6-unit townhomes at the corner of Bird and Egre Rd. Ryan Swingruber, the Developer stopped by "What Are We Building?" to talk about the unique features of the properties, and how they're meeting the changing demands of renters from Millenials to Boomers. We talked about renting vs buying, Internet, EV charging and a whole lot more...
What are We Building? is back with a terrific conversation with Izzy Hassey Nevarez of Centro Hispano. Great to hear about the amazing work they're doing in Madison and Dane County to support the Latin community. We talked about Izzy's journey from Chicago to Juneau to Sun Prairie and the debate over the best way to do corn on the cob!
Please check out their 1st ever Summer Resource Fair on Thursday, July 20th from 3-6pm at 1632 W. Main St!
Turning on a faucet and flipping on a light switch is something most of us take for granted...but we shouldn't. On a special "joint episode" of What Are We Building? and "Roundabout Sun Prairie", we did an interview with Rick Wicklund, Utility Manager for Sun Prairie Utilities. We talked about the unique structure of a municipal utility, it's obligation to the public, and their plans for a new office space and warehouse facility. Rick also addressed the recent issue with high levels of fluoride in the water and how it was fixed.
On a new episode of "What Are We Building?" I shared some additional thoughts about the recent controversy surrounding the situation with a transgender student in the East High Locker Room. Then, I sat down for a chat with my good friend Jenni Lippitt, Director of Property Management for the Alexander Company. Jenni is a wealth of knowledge about apartments, and had heaps of excellent information about the "behind the scenes" of why affordable housing is important to any community. She also had some pointed criticism of the Colorado Commons project on Main & Thompson and some ideas of what we SHOULD be building in Sun Prairie.
I’ve been wanting to do this one for a long time! On the latest “What Are We Building?” I sat down for an interview with Sun Prairie’s District 3 Alder Mike Jacobs. We had a wide-ranging discussion about what drew him to academia and City Council, as well as apartments (of course!), the history of anti-intellectualism and the value of sustainability to our present and future.
