Thank You, Brenda

For the last four months, even following the election, the 2nd District Common Council race was about little more than Brenda Konkel’s politics and personality. It was always, “active leader of the left-leaning Progressive Dane” or “attitude left her unable to work with others or achieve results.” And while those are legitimate beliefs for people to hold, there is another reality which, sadly, was left untold. And that reality is this: Brenda Konkel was inarguably one of the hardest working, most committed, principled alders in the history of the Madison Common Council.

So while it is fair game to argue politics and personality, we are doing our city and ourselves a disservice if we reduce Brenda’s legacy to merely this. Brenda was the hardest working alder on the council – uncovering problems that would have unquestionably otherwise gone unnoticed. She cared as much about open government, equal access for citizens, accountability, and transparency as anyone I have ever met. Brenda is clearly one of the most principled alders on the council. While many of us struggle with poverty and homelessness, Brenda constantly searched for, conceptualized, and implemented creative solutions to both. Her perceived lack of compromise is directly related to a relentless unwillingness to bend on principle.

I think I can safely say that every alder who has served during the last eight years has learned something from Brenda. I have learned more than I have room to share. There are certain qualities that we can ALL agree we’d like to see in our leaders, regardless of political affiliation: hard work, intelligence, commitment, dedication, and unparalleled principles. We can remember Brenda for her politics and her personality. But Brenda’s legacy is about characteristics far more memorable, and far more significant.

All of us who run for public office aspire to the same goal: to make Madison a better place. Brenda did more than aspire. On behalf of the city we all love: thank you, Brenda. You have made Madison a better place.