Sat., April 19 - Medicine Collection Day by Sura, March 31

What can you do with old medicine, over-the-counter cough syrup, prescription drugs, inhalers, pet medicine?

Medicine Collection Day
Saturday, April 19
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Continue reading ‘Sat., April 19 - Medicine Collection Day’

31 Mar 2008 | 12:34 pm | Water, Health | No comments yet - Add your comments

Good or Bad: Citizens are Pessimistic by Sura, December 17

The results of a poll by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute are in.

The bad news is that Wisconsin citizens are feeling disillusioned with government and pessimistic about the economy and the direction the state is taking. And it’s no wonder. Only 2% trust state government to do what is right most of the time, and 82% think lobbyists have the most power over state spending.

But there’s a silver lining to this cloud, and that’s that it looks like people are getting politically engaged and thinking about solutions. According to the poll results, 40% of Wisconsinites now view themselves as political independents. That’s well over the number who consider themselves either Democrat (29%) or Republican (25%). I think this means that we are past the 2-party system, and politician will need to move toward popular consensus regardless of party affiliation.

Additionally, almost 3/4 of the people polled want to see term limits for state office. I would like to have this conversation on the local level too. I think, in general, term limits are healthy for democracy and help engage more people — not just as voters, but as candidates as well. And if you don’t have a good pool of candidates, it doesn’t matter how many people vote.

17 Dec 2007 | 1:58 pm | Representation | No comments yet - Add your comments

Are animal rights a city issue? by Sura, November 26

Recently, I had a constituent tell me that his issue was something the city doesn’t really deal with: animal rights.

There are many ways the city impacts the well-being of animals though. From the current practice of citing people for cruelty to animals to the potential of promoting the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Trap, Neuter and Return (TNR) program, which slows the spread of disease.

I’m an animal lover and I believe that the humane treatment of our pets — and all animals — is basic to a healthy community psyche.

Feral Cats: No Simple Solution

26 Nov 2007 | 4:57 pm | Health, Questions from Constituents | No comments yet - Add your comments

Health Care in Milwaukee by Sura, November 1

Universal health care is a national issue. right? I’d argue it’s a people issue. But what can local leadership in a city provide?

San Francisco is the first city to offer Universal Health Care. Milwaukee could do the same. Enrollment fees range on a sliding scale from $3 to $201. The focus is on providing care to people in the city — it’s not insurance that travels out of the area.

Financing comes mainly from the city, which is using its high emergency care costs to offset preventative and managed care. Here are two articles on the topic.

San Francisco to Offer Care for Uninsured Adults

San Francisco’s Latest Innovation: Universal Health Care

1 Nov 2007 | 8:09 am | Health | No comments yet - Add your comments

If this is revolution, bring it on! by Sura, November 1

Bike shop promotes ‘revolutionary’ idea

Bike culture shapes our youth, creates employment, promotes good health, saves our environment and creates community.

1 Nov 2007 | 7:49 am | Health, Economic Development, Streets, Bicycles, Pedestrians | No comments yet - Add your comments

Lots to Plots by Sura, October 22

Milwaukee needs more community gardens, urban agriculture and a vital food policy. We can do what many other cities in the U.S. started doing years ago to build community, create jobs, strengthen community health and empower youth. See what Seattle is doing here.

22 Oct 2007 | 10:00 pm | Green Spaces | No comments yet - Add your comments