Dane County Executive Joe Parisi Begins First Full-Term As County Executive
April 16, 2013
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
County Executive
Outlines Partnership-Driven Agenda to Move Dane County Forward
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi was sworn into office today for his first full-term as County Executive. Parisi won a full-term as County Executive in the spring election held on April 2nd. He was first elected to the position during an April 2011 special election to serve out the remainder of a term after the previous County Executive, Kathleen Falk, resigned.
“I’ve always believed that we can accomplish more by building partnerships to work together than any unit of government can achieve going it alone. Over the next four years we will move forward with the many successfully partnerships we started to address the challenges facing Dane County,” said Parisi.
The county has put together an unprecedented partnership between farm families, businesses, environmental groups, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District and dozens of municipalities across the county to clean up area lakes and waterways.
Parisi named a Clear Lakes Task Force to coordinate the work being done to remove phosphorus before it enters Dane County lakes through an innovative process called adaptive management. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has hailed the plan as a model for the nation.
“The only way we can restore our lakes back to the way they were decades ago is to bring everyone together. We have a once in a lifetime opportunity with the right resources coming together - - public, private, agriculture, business - - to work together and get it done," Parisi said.
Parisi’s budget this year also included a new collaboration with United Way of Dane County to help kids have a successful start at school. The County opened a new Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) office in the Leopold Elementary School neighborhood in February. The new office is part of Dane County’s partnership with the United Way of Dane County to create a birth to four-year old kindergarten program.
“Schools cannot close the achievement gap alone. Creating the ‘Leopold Early Childhood Zone’ brings the resources together to address this challenge early with our community partners,” said Parisi.
Paris also highlighted the County’s partnership with the state to invest in Dane County’s economy. The Governor’s capital budget included $9 million to help build new, state-of-the-art agricultural facilities at the Alliant Energy Center.
“By partnering with the state on this exciting project, we will bring new business to the Alliant Energy Center and keep the World Dairy Expo where it belongs - - right here in Dane County,” said Parisi.
Expanding the number of events using the Alliant Energy Center is one of the goals Parisi set for the County as part of his focus on economic development. Parisi also hired a Director of Economic Development to increase collaborative efforts to strengthen economic and workforce development in the region.
“Dane County is fortunate to have the lowest jobless rate in the state, but in some communities, particularly communities of color, unemployment is much higher,” said Parisi. “Working together with our community, my new Office of Economic and Workforce Development will work to ensure a rising tide lifts all boats.”
Judge William Faust administered the oath of office to Parisi who will serve as the Dane County Executive for the next four years.
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