City Cast Madison invited all qualified Madison Common Council candidates to complete a short questionnaire to help voters learn more about the people running to represent them in city government. All candidates were sent the same questions, and as you'll see, some questions are more policy-oriented and some are a little more fun!
The unedited responses for District 18 candidate Carmella Glenn are below.
Read the rest of the questionnaire responses here.
1. What is the single most pressing issue facing Madison?
Housing, in particularly racial inequality as it pertains to housing.
2. What's the most important issue facing your district and how will you go about addressing it?
When I think about the most pressing issue, it’s hard to look at one individual issue without it being overlapped by another. For example housing doesn’t stop at housing. Recent changes to zoning have been a big step forward, but we also need to find ways to reinvest in communities, and hold accountability to apartment managers and owners to create and maintain safe and healthy environments. Housing done well means quality of life is maintained. We can do better here in my district.
3. What sets you apart from your competitor or, if running uncontested, what would you like voters to know about you?
It comes down to experience. I have an expertise of working with, for and sometimes up again systems that typically aren’t efficient. In each role I’ve had, I’ve built relationships and have been willing to have hard conversations. Because of the network I’ve built, I can be present where it matters with the lens that’s needed to educate and guide people on topics.
4. Did you support the $22 million property tax referendum? Why or why not?
Yes! I supported it because I know that we have to make hard decisions about cuts in systems that would cause more systemic harm, especially for people who look like me. The harm would be more incremental than money asked of property owners.
5. What should Madison look for in its next police chief?
Our chief of police needs to be someone who understands all systems of violence intervention and prevention and not just policing. We need someone community-centered, who can sit in a room and be called to the table and understand that it’s not personal – lead not dominate. It is also important that the leadership includes an understanding of the nuance of people’s needs. Safety is about far more than crime rates, and we need someone who understands that.
6. What's something the city currently isn't doing, but could do to help ease our housing crisis?
Changing zoning was a big step, Centering individuals when looking at solutions for housing is important. The mens shelter has been a good first step, but we also need to prioritize more options for transitional housing. The traditional market cannot and will not meet all of the needs for housing that Madison has. There has to be many options.
7. What's something you wish more residents knew about Common Council/city government?
I think there is a lot of confusion about what the council is responsible for, and the things that are possible to accomplish within that particular body. I would like residents to have a better understanding of what the council does and does not do, and of course to know that alders are the link to city government and knowing who represents them matters a lot!
8. What's one thing you wish you could change about Madison?
wish I could change the many racial disparities we have here. The most significant being the median income for black and brown people.
9. What’s your favorite meal in Madison?
Short Stack Eatery!
10. Anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for the opportunity!
