Support Drumlin Gardens! 7:30 PM FITCHBURG CITY HALL 5520 LACY RD.
Dear Slow Food and friends,
Hopefully by now you have already seen this week’s Isthmus and have read the story about Drumlin Farm. The situation for the farm and its community is dire, but there is still hope! We are still optimistic about keeping the farm, and you can help!!
See the message below for details!
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Drumlin Garden is a 5-acre piece of organic farmland in Fitchburg’s Northeast corner, near Rimrock Rd. and Hwy MM. Last year 40 low-income families grew food, created cultural activities, and delighted in the island of green there.
But the owner of the land, the Alexander Company, plans to demolish Drumlin Garden and the “Big Pink” Anderberg house on it (2853 Oregon Rd.) as early as Feb. 2 unless something is done to save them.
Alder Jay Allen has proposed, and Alder Steve Arnold has supported, a resolution that would start the process of the city purchasing the southern half of the Drumlin Garden property and the historic Anderberg house. The Fitchburg Historical Society has examined this house and voted unanimously to request landmark status because of its historical and cultural value.
We expect the Alexander Company to oppose this measure at the Common Council meeting this Tues., Jan. 27, when Jay Allen’s resolution R-07-09 comes up for a vote. We need a flood of letters and a really huge turnout to convince the alders to vote for this! Please make it your priority to attend the Common Council meeting at the Fitchburg City Hall at 7:30 p.m. this Tuesday, and please contact each of your two alders before Tuesday (see below) in support of this creative way of saving part of this important community resource.
**Thank you for helping to make Fitchburg the best it can be!**
For more information about Drumlin Garden, including wonderful photos, visit: (http://www.drumlingarden.org)
To read more about the ‘Pink House,’ follow the links below to articles from the Fitchburg Star and the Isthmus.
[A house with history faces an inglorious end by Kurt Gutknecht]
(http://www.fitchburgstar.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&subsectionID=4&articleID=457)
[Last chance for 'The Pink House' by Kurt Gutknecht]
(http://www.fitchburgstar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=2&articleID=478)
[Landmark status for house? Alexander Co. disagrees by Rich
Eggleston](http://www.fitchburgstar.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=2&articleID=467)
[Losing the Farm by Vikki Kratz]
(http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=24901)
Your alders are:
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Jay Allen, jay.allen@city.fitchburg.wi.us, 438-9261
Steve Arnold, steve.arnold@city.fitchburg.wi.us, 278-7700
Here are some **talking points** that you can use to craft your letter. We are asking you to write your own letter (or at least your own first sentence, and then use some of the points below) because original letters are so much more impressive to alders.
–The historic Anderberg House features distinctive oak woodwork, stained and leaded glass windows, beamed ceilings and murals. It was made by the same Swedish carpenter who built the Collins House in Madison. It should be preserved.
–This resolution leaves 2+ acres of the site for the Alexander Co. to build
on. They may find their property value enhanced by being next to a restored historic house and island of greenspace.
–The Alexander Co. will be getting $12 million in TIF (Tax Incremental
Financing) funds from the Town of Madison. They should be willing to give something back to the taxpayers.
–Alder Jay Allen should be congratulated for going to bat for his
constituents, and standing up to developers.
–We need more local leaders who will consider what’s best for the residents instead of only looking to please developers.
–This recession makes community gardens more necessary than ever.
–Please vote for R-07-09 on Tuesday, Jan. 27.
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People can also join the Save the Drumlin Community Gardens group on Facebook for more updates: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=26872019471
People are also welcome to join the Friends of Drumlin group which will be meeting at the Madison Infoshop (1019 Williamson St.) on Mondays at 4:00 pm to coordinate solidarity activities. For more info, call #262-9036. Those who would like to be part of a rapid response phone tree should email: maizbus@hotmail.com
Financial contributions to support Drumlin are also being accepted:
Drumlin Farm, 2853 Oregon Rd., Madison, WI 53715
To express your concerns about the proposed destruction of Drumlin, please contact:
Alexander Company
145 E. Badger Rd. #200
Madison, WI 53713
tel. #608-258-5580
fax. #608-258-5599
You can also contact Dane County Executive, Kathleen Falk #608-266-4114, to urge her to work with the Alexander Company to protect Drumlin Community Garden for the future benefit of the Southdale Neighborhood.
Posted by slowfooduw 
Posted by slowfooduw 
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eryone!
