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 13 candidate Tag Evers are below.
Read the rest of the questionnaire responses here.
1. What is the single most pressing issue facing Madison?
We are facing a severe housing shortage. We need to build more housing at all price levels. We have some of the lowest vacancy rates in the country, which translates into some of the highest annual increases in rents of any city in the country. Consequently, our teachers, our cops and firefighters, our nurses, and even our young people who grew up here can no longer afford to live in Madison. We are the fastest growing city in the state and demand far outstrips supply. Incentivizing more housing along our high-frequency transit routes and rationalizing our zoning to allow for gentle density in our neighborhoods are necessary steps to accommodate our rapidly growing population.
2. What's the most important issue facing your district and how will you go about addressing it?
Both Regent Street and John Nolen Drive are scheduled for reconstruction in the next couple of years. I’ve played an important role in the revitalization of the Regent Street Group, a collective of 40 stakeholders including local businesses, nearby residents, the two area hospitals, UW, city staff, and Downtown Madison, Inc. are meeting regularly to vision cast how Regent Street can break free from its overdependence on Camp Randall and move forward with the a year-around workforce population capable of sustaining a diverse retail base and healthy mix of hospitality-oriented businesses. Similarly, the reconstruction of John Nolen dovetails with the new vision for the Lake Monona Waterfront, now under the rubric of Madison Lakeway. Both are priorities for my next term.
3. What sets you apart from your competitor or, if running uncontested, what would you like voters to know about you?
I have six years of experience on city council and have formed strong working relationships with city staff, the various neighborhood associations, fellow alders, and the Mayor's office, all of which puts me in a strong position to represent District 13 residents moving forward. That's not to say that there won't be disagreements. All voices need to be at the table. Voice is definitive of participatory democracy, but voice does not mean veto. We need to move forward with more housing even when some residents in some neighborhoods voice opposition.
4. Did you support the $22 million property tax referendum? Why or why not?
I'm grateful the referendum passed convincingly with 57% of the vote and, moreover, that it passed in District 13 by a two to one margin. The fact that it passed gives us a cushion from the harder edges of our ongoing structural deficit, the responsibilty for which lies solely with the GOP-controlled state legislature. We will continue to seek efficiencies as we seek to maintain the quality of services our residents expect and deserve. And we will continue to make the case for a better deal from the state to reduce the unfair burden upon Madison taxpayers.
5. What should Madison look for in its next police chief?
At this point, I think we should hire interim chief John Patterson as our next chief. JP knows the job and has developed strong relationships across various city sectors including diverse segments of our city's population.
6. What's something the city currently isn't doing, but could do to help ease our housing crisis?
We could provisions allowing residents to convert a single-family home to a duplex all throughout the city. Currently, this is allowed withing the Transit-Oriented Development Overlay District, but we could and should extend this citywide. We should also eliminate parking minimums for new developments.
7. What's something you wish more residents knew about Common Council/city government?
It takes a lot of work to stay up on the issues. The work can be frustrating, particularly when meetings run late, sometimes past midnight. Nonetheless, local government is place where real change can take place.
8. What's one thing you wish you could change about Madison?
I'm not a big fan of cold weather.
9. What’s your favorite meal in Madison?
The Tofu Scramble at Ogden Diner.
10. Anything else you'd like to add?
My dog Bella goes nearly everywhere with me. I promote concerts all over the Midwest for my day job as owner of True Endeavors Concerts, and Bella goes with me to nearly every show.
