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 19 candidate Anthony Nino Amato are below.
Read the rest of the questionnaire responses here.
1. What is the single most pressing issue facing Madison?
Affordable & Missing Middle Housing and Federal Cut backs from Washington.
2. What's the most important issue facing your district and how will you go about addressing it?
I am running to represent the growing concerns expressed by19th District residents and the ongoing frustrations by small businesses, in dealing with some city agencies. Equally important, there is a urgent need for increased government accountability and transparency in our city government, which is fundamental to building a healthy community and in the development of Madison's long-term economic and environmental sustainable future.
3. What sets you apart from your competitor or, if running uncontested, what would you like voters to know about you?
My opponent John G. was rejected by the Voters of the 19th Dist. in 2023 by a smashing defeat & 65% of voting residents supported his opponent (Kristen Slack) who has endorsed me int this election. Worse yet John G. has been involved in public information meetings (PIMs) and often portray himself as "I Know Best" for district constituencies and for businesses, while pushing his top-down approach to community engagement that is more autocratic than collaborative.
4. Did you support the $22 million property tax referendum? Why or why not?
NO. Because the City was already forecasting a $20 million dollar 2024 surplus, due to the increased interest rates of return from our rainy day fund, while passing a "fear-based 2025 budget to wine over voters. Unfortunately, voters are now upset, because the increase in property taxes was not essential needed in the next budget process. Now that the Trump-Musk government is radically cutting back on federal funds, we will no longer have a second chance to increase property taxes, because the voters no longer trust the current city council and mayor. Until there is a change of city council members who have financial management skills who can rebuild trust with the voters, we are now between a financial rock and a hard place. Also, we need to play an active role in the WI. League of Municipalities, who can come together in a nonpartisan way and lobby for new local financial support, given the states $4.7 Billion Dollar Surplus. If I am elected, I will be an active supported in generate state aid to Madison and Dane County.
5. What should Madison look for in its next police chief?
Another Shan Barns [sic] would be great. We need a Madison Police Chief who is highly educated, a former educator and critical thinking who embraces President Obama's 21st Century Policing Principals and Values. Someone who can build trust and legitimacy among our diverse neighborhoods, one who has a record of embracing community policing and crime reduction success. One who embraces officer training and education on citizens civil rights and one who is proactive when it comes to Public Safety & Wellness through a "Holistic Approach to Community Engagement and Policing.
6. What's something the city currently isn't doing, but could do to help ease our housing crisis?
Sad to say but Housing First by Madison has unfortunately failed. What needs to be done in all future affordable housing initiatives is a comprehensive approach to engaging city and county social services and mental health professionals, that are engage in the daily lives of the affording housing community. As for building racial equity, the city needs to develop and incentivize local developers to build Condo's multi-family and intergenerational Condo Communities for first time home buyers that include but not limited to: deluxe studio condos, one, two and three bedrooms for families and provide court-yard green space and green technology in the the building design for first time home buy hers. We also need to conduct an inventory of City Own Madison land and invest in condo housing for first buyers. The city missed a great opportunity to convert the two Ice Arena's site into affordable housing and Condo development and flourishingly forgave the $1.6 million dollar debt and sold ownership of both Ice Arena Properties for only $1. That was not only foolish, it is a huge lost opportunity to serve today's housing needs and those in the future.
7. What's something you wish more residents knew about Common Council/city government?
I wished residents knew the history of Madison's Common Council Progressive engagement of listening to their residents and representing their views and voices on the Madison Common Council. The vast majority of Today's City Council members have angered and alienated their own district residents and it time for the City Council to embrace Representative Democracy and to improve their district constituency relations and meet once a week and in person.
8. What's one thing you wish you could change about Madison?
For Madison City Government to embrace government transparency, two-way citizen engagement, listen to the environmental concerns of their residents and embrace government accountablity [sic].
9. What’s your favorite meal in Madison?
SWAGT [sic] Indian Food.
10. Anything else you'd like to add?
That is why I am running for the 19th Aldermanic District, with a focus on representing the concerns of our residents and small businesses and being their voice on the Madison Common Council. If I am fortunate to be elected, please be assured I will dedicate my work of 40 years of public and private sector leadership, to improve and reform the unfortunate top-down autocratic mentality that has impacted some of our city agencies and the city council.
