Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Thanking Toby Emmer, Terry Evanson, Tara Keenan, Sheray Wallace, Jane Sarafiny, and Mark Fraire for their collective efforts that have made District 20, the City of Madison, and our region a better place for everyone.
Body
WHEREAS, Toby Emmer:
• Attended and finished at Cleveland Heights High School and graduated from The Ohio State University in 1965;
• Moved to Madison, Wisconsin in 1967 and began working at the University of Wisconsin-Extension in a program to assist women on government assistance prepare for their General Educational Development (GED) Diploma. During her tenure she assisted hundreds of women complete a high school credential;
• Helped create Omega School in 1972 with Steven Freedman, David Nance, Anne Habel, and others after the federal funding was cut for her GED program at the University Extension and continued to offer GED/HSED preparation in the Dane County community. Omega School will celebrate its 50th anniversary celebration on May 26, 2022;
• Moved to New York City in the late 1970s and was hired to run the United Auto Workers Adult Education Program with multiple sites around New York City. Toby retired in 2021 after over forty years as Adult Basic Education Director and GED instructor;
• Was active in the anti-war movement, civil rights struggle, prison rights and advocacy movement, and the Puerto Rican independence movements;
• Passed away May 15, 2022, and leaving behind a daughter Patty, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren;
• Dedicated 50 years of her life to service with abundant selfless contributions to our community; and
WHEREAS, Terry Evanson, serving in her sixth year as President of the Meadowood Neighborhood Association has:
• Solicited and written grants to support the work of Sheray Wallace and Meadowood Health Partnership;
• Promoted and supported an annual Make Music Madison stage at Meadowood Park;
• Worked with West Madison Police District to promote greater cohesion between neighbors and the police;
• Increased membership, participation and visibility of the Meadowood Neighborhood Association;
• Overseen the design, creation and installation of new, durable welcome signs for Meadowood; and
WHEREAS, Tara Keenan:
• Joined the Prairie Hills Neighborhood Association (PHNA) Board in 2011 when she moved into the neighborhood and was recruited by Gloria Meyers;
• Held PHNA Board posts of Secretary, Vice President, and President;
• Has been president for the past five years;
• Along with the PHNA Board, was a part of the mobile fresh food cart program that lasted for two years;
• Played a role in partnership with many others to help create the Theresa Terrace Neighborhood Center, which provides much needed programs for youth, adults and families in the neighborhood;
• Played a role in the Prairie Street free food pantry that started in March 2020 and is still going by Nicki and Kirk Stapleton;
• As part of the PHNA Board, liaises with local elementary school advisors to help provide access to resources/support for families in need regarding matters such rent & landlord relations, food, and safety issues; and
WHEREAS, Sheray Wallace:
• Tirelessly strives to serve the community to strengthen families;
• Provides wraparound service to eliminate the social determents of health;
• Provides assistance to address housing insecurities to prevent eviction, assist with completing rental applications, and advocate for housing;
• Helps folks address medical needs, household supplies, and baby essentials;
• Connects people to legal services and prenatal care and support;
• Created and founded the Meadowood Health Partnership (MHP) in 2016. The primary mission of the MHP is to strengthen families, promote literacy, and provide neighborhood-based model health care;
• Significantly impacted both District 20 and the city though her leadership; and
WHEREAS, Jane Sarafiny, Greentree Neighborhood Association (GTNA) President:
• Joined GTNA in 2008;
• First served as an area 8 rep and membership coordinator;
• Served as Secretary of GTNA from 2013-2014;
• Served as Co-president from 2014-2015;
• Served as President from 2015-the present;
• Along with all of GTNA, is proud of the annual December holiday lights contest, which promotes fun, friendly, neighborly competition. “Bragging rights" are given to the first, second and third place residences with the most festive holiday lighting decorations.
• Along with GTNA, hosts the annual Halloween Bonfire, allowing for a safe, fun event for folks to meet and spend time with neighbors in a family friendly environment; and
WHEREAS, Mark Fraire:
• Is the Dane County Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs;
• Graduated with an MBA in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison;
• Assisted providing over $1.25 million of COVID relief funds in 2021 to over 600 independent working artist struggling during the pandemic;
• Is a proud husband to an amazing wife Rebecca and a loving son, Emiliano, who just completed his first year of medical school at UW-Madison;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council thank Toby Emmer, Terry Evanson, Tara Keenan, Sheray Wallace, Jane Sarafiny, and Mark Fraire for their collective efforts that have made District 20, the City of Madison, and our region a better place for everyone.