Wednesday, March 30, 2022 - 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Local Elections Matter - WI Disability Vote Coalition
Hear from a panel of disability advocates who have held local office about what motivated them to run, and how local government makes a difference in your life. Learn about voting in the April 5th Election and make your plan to vote. See the event flyer here.
Our panel of disability advocates who have held local office will discuss why Local Elections Matter. We’ll cover:
• What local officials do.
• Why voting in local elections matters.
• Local government’s role in disability-related services, mental health, transportation, and more.
• Resources for the April 5th election including disabilityvote.org.
The event is open to all but particpants should register beforehand.
About the speakers:
Greg Meyer, former Town of Monico Supervisor: Greg served as Monico’s town supervisor and is currently a volunteer firefighter and Lieutenant with the local fire department. He currently serves as the Chair of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. He has been very involved in the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum over the years and graduated from Partners in Policymaking. “I’m a person who has a disability that doesn’t let the disability run my life.”
Nicki Vander Meulen, City of Madison School Board member: When Nicki was elected in 2017, she became the first openly autistic school board member in the United States. On the board she has fought to make MMSD more inclusive, reduce seclusion and restraint, and improve outcomes for all marginalized communities. She has fought for and obtained cost of living increases for teachers and increases in special education funding. She is also the first school board member to visit every school in the district during her first term in office. Nicki has made it her mission in life to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Barbara Vedder, former Dane County Supervisor and Madison Common Council: Alder Barbara Vedder is a former member of the Madison Common Council and Dane County Board of Supervisors. She’s been fighting for disability rights since 1981. In and outside of her local political official work, she has stalwartly been advocating for providing human services for all, as well as racial equity and immigrants’ rights. Barbara has been a leader in advocating for access to long term care, including addressing the shortage of personal care workers.
Moderated by Jon Hochkammer, former Outreach Manager of Wisconsin Counties Association and former Mayor of Verona: Jon served on the Manitowoc County Board from 1984 to 1991. In 1990 he was elected board chair and administrator coordinator. After moving to Verona, he won a City Council seat in 1997 and was elected mayor in 2006. He was appointed to several county panels and commissions, including the Dane County Area Agency on Aging Board, the Specialized Transportation Commission and the Human Services Board. Jon also served as Outreach Manager for the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA), overseeing outreach and training efforts with all 72 counties. He previously served as WCA Legislative Director.
