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 5 candidate Regina Vidaver are below.
Read the rest of the questionnaire responses here.
1. What is the single most pressing issue facing Madison?
There is insufficient stock of housing in the city, much less affordable housing. This lack of housing compounds other issues, such as food insecurity, work opportunities, and carbon emissions through single occupancy vehicles. If we can at least make a dent in the housing crisis, we will be in a stronger position to manage other crucial problems facing the city.
2. What's the most important issue facing your district and how will you go about addressing it?
The most important issue facing my district is unsafe driving affecting our neighborhoods. We have too many people driving too fast, ignoring stop signs and red lights, and endangering pedestrians, cyclists, and those using mobility devices. I am working collaboratively with traffic engineering to put safety first in our neighborhoods as roads are reconstructed, and as I receive feedback on opportunities for improvement from my neighbors.
3. What sets you apart from your competitor or, if running uncontested, what would you like voters to know about you?
I have the experience and demeanor to work collaboratively with my constituents, staff, and fellow Council members to make progress in our city. Having served on Council and a large variety of committees since my first election in 2021, I fully understand the process of moving resolutions, ordinances, and programs through the development and approval process. I am so proud of my record, including tripling Madison's Affordable Housing Fund, championing the Madison Public Market - an incubator for local entrepreneurs, starting a new zero-interest loan program for child care centers in underserved areas, and expanding the CARES program, which sends behavioral health specialists rather than police to appropriate calls. These common sense initiatives are possible because of the commitment I bring to ensure Madison continues to be a vibrant, inviting community that cares for its residents.
4. Did you support the $22 million property tax referendum? Why or why not?
I fully supported the referendum, as it was the only viable path forward to fiscal solvency for the city. We face our budget challenges due to the punitive policies of the state legislature that tie our hands at being able to manage our budget in the absence of increasing property taxes.
5. What should Madison look for in its next police chief?
We need a police chief who understands this city - our diverse neighborhoods, a universal desire for a high quality of living, which includes high levels of safety, and the growing issues surrounding reckless driving, including the high number of individuals using substances before getting behind the wheel. We need someone who will engage the community as a whole, and stand up for Madison’s values as an inclusive, caring community. Our next chief should work towards data transparency and accountability. If we are doing data-driven policing, show it to the public so they understand the processes, and show that pivots will occur as data is analyzed.
6. What's something the city currently isn't doing, but could do to help ease our housing crisis?
The City of Madison has worked hard to increase availability of affordable housing, both by building new and rehabilitating existing dwellings. We have made changes in zoning to increase density, and are working to reduce the time it takes to get developments through the planning process. Even small changes, like removing unneeded steps in the demolition process, can help promote new and improved housing stock. I plan to work to increase our engagement with community land banks and promote co-operative housing in the next council session.
7. What's something you wish more residents knew about Common Council/city government?
Nothing happens quickly. Sometimes people say things are going too fast, but it generally means they just don’t know about all of the efforts that have gone into getting a proposal to the final stages. In part, this is because, while we have lots of boards, commissions, and committees working behind the scenes, people don’t realize just how much work happens well before a proposal is brought before the Common Council for a final vote.
8. What's one thing you wish you could change about Madison?
We aren’t getting enough snow anymore! I love to cross country ski, and with the changing climate, that’s getting to be a more rare opportunity.
9. What’s your favorite meal in Madison?
Dorowot at Buraka!
10. Anything else you'd like to add?
As a public health professional, I am constantly looking for opportunities to improve our community’s health and wellbeing. For example, I led the formation of a zero-dollar, forgivable loan program for childcare centers to increase the availability of childcare in underserved areas. I am working to reduce the negative impact of substances, such as hemp derivatives, on our youth. I have supported entrepreneurship by championing the Madison Public Market, and Madison’s Healthy Retail Access Program. Programs like these strengthen our local economy and our resilience as a city. And I will work tirelessly to ensure our local violence prevention and reproductive health programs are fully funded no matter what happens at the federal level.
