By Anita Weier
Northside News
Longtime Northside social activist Carmella Glenn is running for election to the District 18 seat on the Common Council. Her family has lived on the Northside since 2009, and in 2021 they bought a home on School Road. She is married and has four children, “two birth and two bonus from my husband, as well as one grandson.”
Glenn, 52, works for Public Health Madison & Dane County as a violence intervention supervisor. Prior to this, she worked for the state Department of Health Services. And before that, she worked with Just Bakery.
“I am a social justice advocate,” she said during an interview at Lakeview Library. “I am about workforce development and economic development.”
Her goals, if elected, include helping develop safety, health and affordable housing. “With more understanding and accountability, I would help provide supportive services for affordable housing.” The Northside has very good examples of affordable housing, including Kennedy Heights and the Northport Apartments, she said.
The Northside is also particularly known for its greenspaces and Troy Gardens with its cohousing. “We don’t get enough accolades for what has been well done,” she said.
Glenn also would like to educate people on civic responsibility. “We need turnout for local elections,” she added.
“We have a high concentration of workforce housing – for teachers and other public workers,” Glenn said. “Some of the oldest houses in Madison are on the Northside in the Oscar Mayer area. I think the oldest were built in the early 1900s. This is the perfect area for small homes.”
When housing is ultimately built in the Raemisch Farm area, “we must make sure playgrounds, grocery stores and transportation are available.”
Glenn has a culinary degree from Madison Avea Technical College as well as a criminal justice degree from Upper Iowa University.
She looks forward to getting good ideas from residents when she goes door-to-door. “I don’t want to be the one who thinks I know best. I need to talk to people. All voices should be at the table.”
