Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Honoring the Life and Work of Frederick “Fred” Arnold.
Body
WHEREAS, Fred Arnold devoted his life to helping others and had an immeasurable, positive impact in Dane County, the City of Madison and specifically Madison’s East Side from where he served and called home for 49 years; and,
WHEREAS, Fred served in many ways as alder, county board supervisor and resident, always with grace and dignity and the betterment of our community as his top priority; and,
WHEREAS, Fred’s personal mission was always to do the right thing for the right reason and although his work was multifaceted, his passion was advancing social justice reform and the rights of unions; and,
WHEREAS, Fred served on the Madison Common Council from 1975-1981, serving as Common Council President Pro Tem in 1977-1978 and Common Council President in 1978-1979; and,
WHEREAS, Fred served on the Dane County Board from 1986-1990; and,
WHEREAS, Fred served on numerous committees, commissions and boards throughout his tenures on the Madison Common Council and Dane County Board he was further noted for his service on the Stoughton Road Revitalization Project for his leadership and vision; and,
WHEREAS, Fred served in the Peace Corps in Malaysia from 1965 to 1968, then taught for 34 years at Madison Area Technical College as an Economics and Leadership as an Art instructor, holding leadership roles in his department and in union politics throughout his years at MATC and received the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2000; and,
WHEREAS, Fred was an inspiration, he was intelligent yet humble, a visionary yet practical, a mentor who was an equal. All Madisonians have been affected by him whether they knew him or not because of his selfless, constant public service. Never asking anything for himself, he led quietly and persuasively, he was encouraging to all, enthusiastic and persuasive in his approach and energetic to move to a conclusion; and,
WHEREAS, Fred was known for the endless books he read, oft-quoting authors and their ideas and in honor of Fred’s passion for life and in the words of Henry David Thoreau - “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined,” Fred embodied these words until the moment he passed away on March 3, 2018, at age 76,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison extend their condolences to Fred’s family and friends and invite all Madisonians to celebrate and honor the life and work of Frederick “Fred” Arnold.