Vote Moga

Olive Jones Playground Fundraiser!

    The fundraiser for the Olive Jones Playground went smoothly and thanks to all who participated.  The UW Drumline was quite a hit on the streets and they did a great job.  Special thanks to the Blue Moon, Capital Brewery, and NBC 15 for showing up.  I believe the fundraiser did an excellent job of making the renovation of Olive Jones a more visible project.   

Who's backing candidate Moga?

Wisconsin State Journal

Affordable Housing Action Alliance

Downtown Madison Inc.

Marsh Shapiro: Owner of the Nitty Gritty
Larry and Tom Schmock: Owners of the Blue Moon, Blue Velvet, Smoky's, The State Bar & Grill
Professor David Beebe: Professor BME, Advisor, Employer
Kelli Richards: CHAMPS/ Life Skills Coordinator for UW Athletic Department
Jeff Erlanger: Commissioned on People w/ Disabilities, Economic Development, Joint SE Campus
Mike Wittenwyler: Attorney for Godfrey & Kahn, S.C.
Laurie Ingwell: Meriter Hospital, Volunteer Staff Coordinator
Nick and Natalie Schimick
Beth Curley
Tim Wadlington
Regina Millner
Frederic Mohs
George Kamperschroer
Karen Lavalley
Diane Kunz

Note:  I am not endorsed by any political party and have only pursued the Democratic endorsement.  However, the Committee was disappointed that I went to France instead of attending their scheduled interview.  In my defense, my non-refundable plane ticket was already purchased and I had planned the trip well before I decided to run for Alder.  In the end, it all worked out as the deeper I get into local politics, the more I'm convinced that there is a good reason that such positions are non-partisan.

Biography

Candidate  Moga's Bio

Why are you running?

Having been a resident of Madison for five-and-a-half years and gravitating towards the near west side, it's time to give back to the city that has treated me so well.  I've accepted a full-time position with a biomedical engineering company and look forward to joining the local workforce.  My goal is to bring energy and a fresh perspective to the Common Council while making the most out of my University ties.  There is a call from the near west side for a truly non-partisan candidate that will open up the lines of communication and be responsive to the needs of residents, I am here to answer that call.

University Proposals

I have indicated that my University ties would be beneficial in my effectiveness as Alderman, here are a few proposals I'm pursuing.

Health Initiative
    I am currently in contact with the CHAMPS/ Life Skills Coordinator from the Athletic Department.  The goal is to get Badger athletes visiting 3rd and 5th graders at Randall Elementary in order to promote health and fitness.  This is in coordination with the Mayor and the Fitness Initiative the City has launched in response to the high levels of adolescent obesity. 

Summer School
    I would like to propose the following: free classes offered during the summer to the general public based on interest.  Classes would most likely be open to all Wisconsin residents; however, Madison residents will definitely benefit due to location.  Professors could benefit by advancing towards tenure, UW students interested in teaching could gain classroom experience, and residents can obtain knowledge to advance towards personal goals or simply for enjoyment.

Resolving Lake Pollution
    Lake Mendota and Monona have considerable room for improvement when it comes to water quality.  I will propose a design opportunity for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department to evaluate the problem and to recommend a final solution based on feasibility.  Two initial concepts are the evaluation of aeration systems and UV-light photocleansing of water.  The group would not be limited to these two areas and feasibility would include cost analysis based upon the City budget.

Voting Information

Want to know where you vote, how to register, or how to get an absentee ballot to vote early?  I've bookmarked the City Clerk's website for pertinent election information.

City Clerk Election Information

Too busy to vote?  You can apply for an absentee ballot and handle everything by mail.  The application is very short and it will save you a trip on April 5.

Early Voting Application

Issue Stances

Property Taxes
We need to keep a lid on raising property tax while maintaining high quality city services.

Monroe Commons
I am pleased to see the Monroe Commons project is moving along with the inclusion of a grocery store.

Minimum Wage
I support a minimum wage increase and am pleased to see Madison as a driving force behind progressive legislation.  We should encourage a state-wide increase for the betterment of all and to ensure that our city does not portray an aura of isolation.
 
Halloween
The Halloween celebration is deeply engrained in Madison culture and shutting off the city will only incite an "us vs. them" attitude. A possible solution would be to extend bar close until 4:00 A.M. to allow for a more orderly dissipation.

 Growth and Development
I think the construction boom in Madison is good for the local economy and is a positive reflection on Wisconsin as a whole. At the same time, we must not lose sight of environmental concerns and refuse to sacrifice development at the cost of Mother Nature.

 Downtown Density
Downtowns are meant to be densely populated and the near west side will maintain its neighborhood integrity if high rises are built in the center of Madison.

Transportation       
A regional rail, as proposed by County Executive Falk, is a great start to transportation issues facing both Madison and the surrounding areas. From my observations in Amsterdam, a city with very high density, citizens made excellent use of the swift light rails that ran through the streets.

 Smoking Ban
In its current form, the smoking ban is slightly too restrictive. Businesses should have the option of sectioning off an interior area via a physical boundary or apply for a special permit based on previous tobacco sales.  I do see this as a public health issue but also as an opportunity to be fair to the businesses who keep the Madison bubble from popping.

Inclusionary Zoning
IZ is rooted in good intentions; however, I'm concerned as to whether or not it will scare off potential developers.  There must be a balanced attack to provide the optimal amount of affordable housing.

Contact Information

Ben Moga                                                                       (608) 236-0859
2525 University Ave. #B                                               bjmoga@wisc.edu
Madison, WI   53705

Environmentally Friendly Buildings

UW gets vision of 1st 'green' building- The Capital Times  2/12/05

    It's good to see that well-engineered buildings designed for efficiency and quality are being taken seriously.  Not only will they save money over the long run but they are also saving on natural resources that are so often taken for granted.  I hope others in the architecture/development community realize the benefits that green buildings have to offer and continue to set higher standards for construction.

Underage Drinking

Police crack down on UWM parties- The Badger Herald  2/7/05

    Yes, house parties have been happening on the UW-Campus for decades and they will continue to happen.  No, I don't know why certain authority figures can't accept the fact that we work hard and party hard.  Let's face it, one of the reasons I came to UW-Madison, like many of my other fellow students, is that the campus had the reputation of getting things done and then letting off some steam as well.
    I also find it ironic that at 18, young men and women can die for their country but aren't allowed to legally have a beer.  I am absolutely against high schoolers having access to alcohol; however, young people who are attending an advanced academic institution are an entirely different story.  Madison police have been relatively lenient in the past and I am all for a passive stance by the City when it comes to drinking on campus.