By Anita Weier
Northside News
Friends persuaded Kevin Monroe to enter the race for the District 18 Common Council seat. Monroe, 39, has lived on the Northside since 2013. He also wants to protect the environment.
Monroe works in research and development for Fujifilm Cellular Dynamics, Inc. His first job was in welding and fabricating, and he was a union worker at Madison Crane. He went back to school during a layoff and obtained an associate degree in biotechnology, with a stem cell tech certificate, from Madison College.
Originally from Niagara, Wis., a small town on the border with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Monroe said he is very happy to live on the Northside. He canoes in the Cherokee Marsh, using the launch in the South Unit of the marsh, and in winter enjoys snowshoeing.
“We need more housing but must make sure we do not hurt the environment,” he said. If the Raemisch Farm property is developed, he hopes to work with the state DNR to protect water systems.
“Our natural beauty is the Northside’s greatest draw,” he said. “I love seeing the cranes come back every year.”
Regarding other goals if elected, Monroe said he hopes to implement the use of body-worn cameras quickly, following the pilot project test in the North Police District. “If the cameras provide more facts, we can find answers more quickly,” he explained.
Monroe (the middle initial A is important because another district resident with the same name has a different middle initial) lives on Mandrake Road. His wife works for the Humane Society in rescue and response and may be involved with assisting pets in the Los Angeles area following the huge wildfires there. They have no children, but seven nieces and nephews keep them busy.
Monroe works with the Clean Lakes Alliance removing invasive vegetation. He also picks up garbage wherever he sees it.
“I spent a chilly Sunday collecting signatures to run” and discovered once again that people don’t like to open doors. “I have done canvasing before, which is why I got involved in voter work,” he noted. He has been a voter ambassador and has worked at the polls.
