September 2001
Madisonians,
It’s a big step in a young person’s life to start a new school year. To meet new teachers, make new friends, tackle new subjects and, for many students, it even starts out in a new school. It’s an exciting and important time in any young person’s life.
As we help children return to school and establish good learning habits, I would encourage everyone to participate in the national “Eat Dinner With Your Children Day” on September 24. Research has shown the benefits to families that eat dinner together, without TV, are really lifelong rewards. As we ask our kids to form new and better habits, let’s take this opportunity to form a very constructive one with them.
One of the important messages we want to convey to youth and adults this month has to do with the train whistle ban going into effect October 1. The Common Council adopted a train whistle ban in July after hearing from a long line of speakers testifying to the aggravation of being awakened in the middle of the night by loud blaring train horns, sometimes several times a night. They complained of ill health effects due to stress from the noise.
Leading up to the October 1 implementation of the ban, we’re working with Operation Lifesaver to mount a public safety campaign about rail crossings. Three-quarters of the rail grade crossings in Madison have lighted signals or stop signs. At those locations, the use of train whistles will be banned October 1, except in the case of an emergency. That leaves about two-dozen rail grade crossings in Madison where trains may, and likely will, continue to sound their horns.
Please encourage children to heed railroad-crossing signs and not become a victim of a tragic rail accident. Before we start ticketing trains for blaring their horns unnecessarily, let’s do our part at rail crossings and “Look, listen and live!”
You can find out more about this and other safety programs at the Neighborhoods ’01: Tools and Tours Conference. It’s the third biennial neighborhood conference in Madison. The daylong event promises something for everyone. Whether you’re a longtime neighborhood activist, or want to become one, you should attend Saturday, September 15 at Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center.
The conference features nineteen workshops throughout the day plus six guided tours of neighborhoods in the afternoon. Find out how to work effectively with City agencies to take advantage of a variety of neighborhood grants that are offered. Meet with neighborhood activists from throughout the city who are making real changes to improve their neighborhoods. It’s a great opportunity, not only for networking, but to find out what’s worked and how you can apply it to your situation. I look forward to seeing you at the Neighborhoods ’01: Tools and Tours Conference!