What Are We Building? Sun Prairie Andy Shayner

Let's have more PhD's running for office please! On this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Regina Vidaver, Candidate for Dane County Executive.  From graduate school at UW to public health policy, we discussed her experience during the Covid pandemic and resettling Afghan refugees, as well as her time on the Madison City Council providing no-interest loans for child care and championing the Madison Public Market.  Plus, I shared my thoughts on why the Plan Commission's recent decision around the Black Men's Coalition housing project was a mistake.  

On a new episode of "What Are We Building?" Andy had the great pleasure of speaking with Wes Sparkman, currently the Director of The Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion in Dane County, and candidate for Dane County Executive.  They had a terrific conversation about Wes's journey from Chicago, to UW and the LaFollette school, to ultimately serving the community in a myraid of ways, including over 25 years in State and County Government. Wes is a dedicated public servant, who believes government can be an efficient, effective, force for positive change.  Give it a listen!   

I was supposed to speak with Dana Pellebon, who is running for Dane County Executive, but unfortunately she didn't show up for the interview. Instead, it's an all-Andy show and gave me a chance to yammer on about the proposal for Downtown at Bristol & Main, Sun Prairie's efforts to be more sustainable, and the decision to replace the St Mary's ER with a new surgery center.

Do you vote at Heartland Church or United Methodist?  You probably live in District 2 and can vote for a new City Council representative on April 2nd!  The 2 candidates running are Santiago Rosas and Bill Baker - Andy had them both on the most recent episode of "What Are We Building?"  Hear about their backgrounds, priorities for the city, and thoughts on recent projects like the Black Mens Coaltion housing and the proposed downtown hotel.

Maybe the biggest political name we've had on the show yet! Andy sat down with Wisconsin State Senator Melissa Agard. Among other things, he learns she's also running for Dane County Executive. Serious discussions about Cannabis legalization, Abortion Access, Taxes and more.

Plus, Andy opens the show with a lot of news about what we're building in Sun Prairie: find out where we're getting more apartments, a new medical clinic, bar & grill, corporate HQ and a bank branch in 2024!


Note: we have reached out to the other candidates for Dane County Executive and hope to have them on the show as well if they choose.

This month's guest is David Virgell, City Council Alder for District 4.  We had a great chat about the Westmount Roundabout, big cities vs small towns, and the Black Men's Coalition proposal.  Also, listener mail(!) and an update on Hyvee and the Corner of Bristol & Main downtown.