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A Lively Hub

Heads up Madison! We’ve got a decision to make. I encourage your readers to not miss the opportunity to make their voices heard about the future of Academy School by voting “Yes” on Tuesday, Feb. 15 for its transformation into a community center to serve all the people of Madison.

What is at stake? Madison offers us an abundance of community resources: Bauer Park’s community gardeners reap a harvest of vegetables from the rich farm soil. A town gym, tennis courts, and our athletic fields nurture our bodies and promote community spirit, and our beach rejuvenates us in the summertime. These features attract families to make their home in Madison. The administrations of our new expanded Scranton Library and the Senior Center have voiced strong support for the Community Center proposal as there remains a critical shortage of suitable meeting spaces for groups of all ages in Madison.

So, what are we missing? We are missing a town’s heart. Neighboring town centers are constantly humming with a rich variety of programs, musical performances, study groups, and activities for all ages. Why must we travel to other towns to participate in these types of activities and cultural events? The Academy School features two theaters, a gym, a kitchen and large classrooms, facilities that could be used for lifelong learning, music, dance, and discussion groups. Performances and space rentals would bring in revenue, and this town would be a lively hub of learning and fun.

For this hub to happen, residents must vote their support for developing the Academy School as Madison’s Community Center. Residents can vote in person, Tuesday, Feb. 15, or if unable to vote in person, apply for an absentee ballot now. Instructions are available online on the Madison website.

Susannah Graedel

Madison