lukediaz - Network

I'm really not keen on America re-learning why environmental regulations are good actually.

I'm really not keen on America re-learning why environmental regulations are good actually.

The City portion of the State of the City Address. I think I might talk a little too fast, but the program was running behind so....(the...

The City portion of the State of the City Address. I think I might talk a little too fast, but the program was running behind so....(the Verona Area School District is earlier in the program if you're curious) https://youtu.be/S5paENiCpQQ?si=x7o04cXsQqE06fua&t=3224

Check out this Great blue heron plus a couple bonus ducks! (taken 12/31/2024)

Check out this Great blue heron plus a couple bonus ducks! (taken 12/31/2024)

This doesn't start until August and will serve the community generally, which includes Epic staff but not only Epic staff. (I don't...

This doesn't start until August and will serve the community generally, which includes Epic staff but not only Epic staff. (I don't think a federal grant is actually paying for anything, so it can't be sabotaged by the feds). https://madison.com/news/local/government-politics/article_d6a99510-ddc9-11ef-8dd5-f7772be53bdc.html

Some good news: “Fossil fuels are losing their grip on EU energy. Wind and solar are pushing coal to the margins and forcing gas into...

Some good news: “Fossil fuels are losing their grip on EU energy. Wind and solar are pushing coal to the margins and forcing gas into structural decline.” https://cleantechnica.com/2025/01/31/solar-surpasses-coal-for-the-first-time-in-the-eu/

“This is kind of one of those moments where you can't be neutral,” Diaz said. “You have to pick a side, and we're going to...

“This is kind of one of those moments where you can't be neutral,” Diaz said. “You have to pick a side, and we're going to pick the side of tolerance and the freedom for people to be who they are.” https://www.wkow.com/news/politics/verona-flying-pride-flag-year-round-a-message-to-trump-residents/article_9eeac660-d77c-11ef-83fd-cbbebf7c99a6.html

From our December meeting - under our new sidewalks policy, we're adding sidewalks to part of Mark Drive to make it safer for people...

From our December meeting - under our new sidewalks policy, we're adding sidewalks to part of Mark Drive to make it safer for people walking, especially kids. We, unfortunately, have a lot of streets in Verona without sidewalks that aren't really safe, but we're fixing them block by block.

Check out this cardinal I saw today. They look so striking in the snow.

Check out this cardinal I saw today. They look so striking in the snow.

It's incredible to me how far the native plant/protect pollinators movement has come in America. (It's a good thing IMO) ...

It's incredible to me how far the native plant/protect pollinators movement has come in America. (It's a good thing IMO) https://www.veronapress.com/opinion/letters/letter-help-protect-pollinators/article_5857284a-c928-11ef-8ded-8bacec862dbb.html

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! "Your time, it is preciousAnd there's plenty to be doneBut I hear that Jack can be a dull, dull...

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

"Your time, it is precious
And there's plenty to be done
But I hear that Jack can be a dull, dull boy
So drink with us tonight, drink with us tonight
'Cause there's money in our pockets and the Llandoger's in sight"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuHq1dF1YeU

There's actually a lot of work that goes into running an election. The City of Verona has dedicated people who make sure it all goes...

There's actually a lot of work that goes into running an election. The City of Verona has dedicated people who make sure it all goes smoothly. https://www.veronapress.com/news/city-completes-post-election-audit/article_eed0a4e4-b8b2-11ef-a45c-07cdbd9dc5aa.html

My quotes from the story about about Verona flying the Progress Pride Flag "What this comes down to is a chance for the City of Verona...

My quotes from the story about about Verona flying the Progress Pride Flag "What this comes down to is a chance for the City of Verona to talk and take a stand for equality and say that we believe in all of our residents and that people should be free to be who they were born as.” https://www.veronapress.com/news/embracing-equality-progress-pride-flag-to-fly-every-day-of-2025/article_56671f56-b8af-11ef-94e8-37928883f024.html

New camera! Trying to get into photography (just a little Canon R100). I need a lens for taking pics far away and one for low light and one...

New camera! Trying to get into photography (just a little Canon R100). I need a lens for taking pics far away and one for low light and one good general purpose one.

One more thing on the budget: We're expanding Madison Metro bus service in Verona starting in August 2025. As Verona grows, transit is...

One more thing on the budget: We're expanding Madison Metro bus service in Verona starting in August 2025. As Verona grows, transit is key to move people around and to reduce congestion. Tentative route:

Proud to support Art House 360! I'd also point out that the city owns this historical building, so money we put in to repair and improve...

Proud to support Art House 360! I'd also point out that the city owns this historical building, so money we put in to repair and improve it is for a city owned building. https://www.veronapress.com/news/bringing-color-and-culture-to-art-house-360/article_9059fc9e-a6bf-11ef-899a-9bab437a2446.html

You know what time it is.

You know what time it is.

The 2025 Verona budget includes a part-time position in the police department who will follow up with crime victims and work with...

The 2025 Verona budget includes a part-time position in the police department who will follow up with crime victims and work with individuals in need of assistance or resources. Patrol officers are critical to policing, but we can do more to keep people safe.

Check it out - Verona's Mayors’ Monarch Pledge report has been officially reviewed and approved by the National Wildlife Federation...

Check it out - Verona's Mayors’ Monarch Pledge report has been officially reviewed and approved by the National Wildlife Federation Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Team. Verona is doing our part!

https://mayorsmonarchportal.nwf.org/Community?communityId=395&programYearId=5&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1Q3R_hhY_lB4sK1NsYAxnxGZx-lwidFyKUxndw6ZlQbOIYfMCOBxx1bEs_aem_AjgRE6xGh2vrs_VPX3OErQ

Also, the 2025 Verona budget contains a $30,000 donation to the Badger Prairie Needs Network, which is a food pantry and more. This is an...

Also, the 2025 Verona budget contains a $30,000 donation to the Badger Prairie Needs Network, which is a food pantry and more. This is an increase of $10,000 from last year. BPNN is a great organization that distributes food to those in need and more.

The 2025 City of Verona budget contains $45,000 for solar panels. I'm really excited about this. Eventually we need to do more, but...

The 2025 City of Verona budget contains $45,000 for solar panels. I'm really excited about this. Eventually we need to do more, but this is a good start.