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The Time Is Right

I am voting “Yes” for Academy School to be a community center. Similar to other towns, we have an opportunity to draw businesses and guests to our downtown throughout the year. The library and the Community Center will be downtown bookend hosts to community events for decades to come, guiding visitors to Madison, which will lead to an increased vibrancy and economic development for our small businesses.

I am voting “Yes” for the School Renewal Plan. We will be reducing the number of schools from six to four, while building a new elementary. The renovations to existing schools will ensure that our students, teachers, paras, and administrators have the correct environment for optimal learning. This is not only an investment in education, but also one of the best investments to keep our home values strong.

I am voting “Yes” for the sale of Island Avenue School. This proposal keeps the property as a school, which enhances the surrounding neighborhood, while giving significant funds to the town.

All three of these initiatives make economic sense and deserve due consideration. If your readers haven’t had the time to educate themselves on these proposals, I urge them to go to the town’s website and click on the Referenda button. I encourage your readers to join me in voting “Yes” for all three initiatives on the Feb. 15 referenda. The time is right to move forward on the projects and to invest in Madison’s future.

Joan Walker

Madison

Joan Walker chairs the Democratic Town Committee.