Democrat will discuss issues on the controversial legislation at forum    

The Madison Senior Center downtown will host a presentation with Senator Tim Cullen in mid-February on mining legislation.

Cullen, D-Janesville, will talk about mining issues and take questions on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. in a political forum at the center.

As part of a Senate committee on mining, Cullen heard testimony from experts and people affected by the proposal to mine iron ore in Northern Wisconsin. He drafted a bill to permit mining without changing environmental protections.

Mayor says idea stemmed from summer ‘Meet and Eat’

A food truck experiment this summer lead to the mayor establishing a council this fall to continue work bringing affordable healthy food options for low-income families.

At the first meeting of his Madison Food Policy Council on Oct. 24, National Food Day, Mayor Paul Soglin made the opening statements explaining its importance.

“In terms of the farmers’ market, we have one of the best known markets in the world,” Soglin said. “When it comes to food policy, there is this enormous gap. I see that as an opportunity to take us to another level.”

The MFPC is an extension of the Dane County board. It joins the Dane County Food Council and Coalition, but aims more to answer the question of accessibility and affordability than connecting producers to buyers, which is the focus of the county’s council and coalition.

By Nora Hertel, Madison Commons Reporter

Until now, beekeeping in Madison was technically illegal. Nevertheless, dozens in the city have tried to keep their bees under the radar.

According to Matt Tucker, the zoning administrator for the City of Madison, keeping bees has been like stacking firewood on your property. The city does not condone the activity, but it only becomes an issue if the neighbors complain.

But a new ordinance, passed on Feb. 28, permits, even encourages, Madison residents to keep bees as part of an effort to promote local, urban agriculture.

Officially called Section 9.53, the change comes as an amendment to chapter 28 of the Madison General Ordinances of the conservancy, agriculture, and residential districts.

Proponents see the ordinance as part of a broader urban farming movement.