HELLO
And Welcome!
​
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. I’m humbled to have my community’s support. As I often say to friends, the more I learn, the more I enjoy this work.
​
Spring elections are April 7, 2026, and this time around, all three open council seats, including my own, are unchallenged. While that may not make for an exciting, hard-fought race or campaign, it does not diminish my seriousness about this work, my commitment, or my sincere gratitude for your trust in me.
I hope the following will help you learn a bit more about me and the work I've done, both on and off council. If you ever have a question about any city matter, I hope you'll feel comfortable reaching out to me at tradermacher@ci.monona.wi.us.
ABOUT ME
Since 2007, my daughter and I have made Monona our home, with our pup Marco joining in 2020. Yep, we got a COVID dog. Our modest 1950s ranch is more than what we need, with beautiful trees, caring neighbors, kids of all ages, and the best block party in town.
​
I grew up on a family farm (dairy/tobacco) about 30 miles south of Madison, where my parents still live and farm today. And from these successful and shrewd business owners I've learned to value hard work, resourcefulness, and thrift. I've also inherited a deep sense of stewardship and respect for our land and other natural resources, recognizing that we need them more than they need us.
​
By day, I'm part of a group of about 20 professionals who provide IT services to all of Wisconsin's District Attorney offices, with my area of expertise being software development and consulting. I love working on a small team; you get to know your teammates well; wear many hats; understand the entire organization, not just one aspect; and your input can directly shape its direction. It's not so different from living in a small community.
Over my years in Monona, I’ve built strong friendships and rewarding connections by getting involved and helping out where I can. Taking action to support causes I care for is in my DNA, something I've just always done. It's a value I was raised with and have encouraged in my daughter, because I believe we all have a duty to pitch in and help out, and that our communities and organizations are stronger when we do.
WHY I'M RUNNING
Decisions and Opportunities Ahead - Experience Matters
I don't have a list of complaints or axe to grind, just the opposite. I'm proud of our current council. We have a strong group of caring leaders who work hard, work well together, respect each other, and value each other's opinions. Over the next two years, this experience, hard work, and teamwork will serve our community well.
​
Some of the work currently in committees and the decisions that have or will come before the council are related to: The need for repair and/or replacement of aging public facilities in ways that don't over-burden our taxpayers, including our current City Hall/civic campus; continuing our work toward meeting our commitment to 100% clean energy; meeting the need for more housing that is affordable and accessible; resuming work to implement our DEIB report recommendations related to housing, communications, and city operations; approving a Comprehensive Plan for our next ten yers; and exploring ways to continuously improve existing mass transit services through Madison Metro.
​
Concurrent with all of this is the reality that Monona’s geographic proximity to Madison means we have big-city wish lists and challenges on a small-town budget. This doesn't mean we cannot advance the initiatives we care about, only that we must identify them as values, prioritize them (budget), and ensure we stay on track to meet them. My leadership style is collaborative, cooperative, educational, and I'm confident I can work with others to build understanding and find workable solutions in ways that are respectful and professional.
​
Q&A from the 2026 LWV Candidate Survey
(1) How would you evaluate your city’s current efforts to increase the amount of affordable housing? Are there additional steps the city should take to address this issue?
We’ve made strong progress in increasing our supply of housing, which helps reduce demand and overall cost. In addition, we can support zoning changes to allow lower parking requirements and greater housing density, including creative solutions like ADUs. We can work to attract developers with experience and interest in affordable housing. And from our DEI Plan, we can use TID extension funds to reach those in most need, reinforce our affordable housing commitments within our new Comprehensive Plan, and build in reporting measures to track progress and accountability.
(2) How should your city balance the need for development with other concerns, such as public safety, traffic, historic preservation, and conservation of natural areas?
Balance” does not necessarily mean a “trade”. We can welcome new development, new neighbors, and also maintain public safety, expand efficient/mass transportation, preserve our history, and protect our natural spaces when we make these goals known to all involved and work together. The development process already includes traffic and safety studies. Historic preservation tax credits offer opportunities without as many restrictions as some may think. And natural areas can be preserved with a commitment to this goal, green design/infrastructure, and even financial (TIF) incentives.
(3) What do you see as the top priorities your constituents have for the city council, and how would you address them?
Citizens want their council to (1) spend their tax dollars responsibly, and (2) give them a voice in matters that affect them. In 2024, our residents passed a close vote - in good faith - to permanently increase their own property taxes so city staff could be fairly compensated. They sacrificed and trusted us to do the same by not spending beyond that - and we delivered. Outside the budget, my top priority is always to be accessible, responsive, and trustworthy. I truly enjoy talking with neighbors on matters they feel strongly about, and I hope they’ve felt heard, understood, and respected.
(4) Describe your specific experience (educational, occupational, civic, and community) that prepares you to effectively address your priorities.
I’m looking forward to continued work with our mayor and city administrator to implement the goals within our DEI Plan and Sustainability Plan, ensuring they are integrated throughout our new Comprehensive Plan and include measures for feedback and reporting. I look forward to learning more about our development process and exploring new opportunities there; to finding more ways to connect, inform, support, empower, and protect vulnerable citizens and businesses; And to building relationships with current and new colleagues and friends. I'm sincerely grateful to my community for continuing to put your faith and trust in me. Thank you. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out and/or introduce yourself when our paths cross. ​
​
PAST COMMUNITY WORK
Joining council meant I had to shift time away from a variety of community-led projects. As such, the following is dated, but no less important to me.
MG SCHOOL DISTRICT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Helped install the largest rooftop solar array on any Wisconsin K-12 school facility.
In 2019, a number of citizens and I petitioned the MG School Board to form a workgroup of local experts who could look for opportunities to reduce our district's environmental footprint and energy costs. The board agreed, and an ad-hoc sustainability committee was formed. Over the next two years, we worked with the district's existing energy manager, McKinstry, to understand and analyze energy use data, identify a project at the HS, and recommend to the board that the district "go big". We wrote a grant and were awarded the highest dollar amount of over 100 applicants. In March 2022, construction began at the High School on the largest rooftop solar array on any K-12 facility in the state. To put this into perspective, Wisconsin has over 2000 school facilities in over 400 districts.
​
The array is sized to generate approximately 50% of the building’s electrical needs, cutting our utility bills enough to put the project into a cash-flow-positive status the very first year. And over its 30-year lifetime, the array will save or district an estimated $1.5 million, or more, if the cost of electricity rises, which it likely will. From an environmental perspective, our clean, solar-generated electricity is expected to reduce our use of traditional coal-fired electricity enough to prevent the burning of over 16,000 tons of coal and its associated harmful air emissions and pollutants.
​
Once the HS Solar Project wrapped up, the work of this group paused, but our school district leaders continue to move the needle on reducing carbon emissions. The district is now planning for a ground mount array in Cottage Grove, next to the new elementary school!
​
Being a part of this project was tremendously rewarding, with lessons that translate directly to opportunities than can be applied to our city's sustainability goals so we too can reap similar benefits.
​Learn more about the MGHS Solar Project at: https://www.mononagrove.org/welcome/mghs-solar-project.cfm
.
MONONA ARC
Founding Member
I'm humbled to be included among the small group of organizing members of Monona ARC, and for the opportunity to co-facilitate some of the earliest ARC conversations in our community.
By meeting with our neighbors, having difficult conversations in a safe space, developing and deepening our Awareness about systemic racism, building Relationships around this meaningful and critical topic, and making Commitments to do our part, we can start to build a better, more inclusive, and equitable Monona where everyone is welcome and thrives.
​
Sustainability is often thought of in an ecological, natural resources sense. That is certainly part of it. However, the most truly sustainable communities, organizations, families, are those where all members are valued, safe, healthy, and where access to opportunities, resources, and services is equitable.
One of the goals of Monona ARC is to empower non-elected community members, and so I'm stepping away from this work that has been a privilege. I invite you to learn more about Monona ARC at: https://sites.google.com/view/monona-arc/home. And if you’re so inspired to join an upcoming circle, please do. You’ll be happy you did.
CITY OF MONONA SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
Citizen Volunteer
Since 2014 I've worked together with a number of other committed citizen volunteers and city alders to help increase awareness of sustainable practices, and influence the city's movement toward a greener future. With no standing operating budget nor authority to dictate procedure, we affect change through relationship building, collaboration, outreach, education, and leading by example.
One thing I’m particularly proud of is our work to research, author, build support for, and ultimately help pass through City Council our community's first-ever resolution to achieve 100% clean energy. Our targets are 2040 for municipal operations and 2050 for residential. Through a combination of reducing our energy consumption (diet) and transitioning to clean, renewable energy from solar, geothermal, wind, etc. instead of harmful fossil fuels (exercise) we can become a healthy and sustainable community - and save money while we do it.
​
As alder, I'm 100% committed to helping keep us on track to meet our clean energy goals.
​
Learn more about (and get involved with!) the City’s Sustainability Committee at: http://www.mymonona.com/1244/Sustainability-Committee.
DARK STORE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
Former Organizer, Team Member
This citizen-lead group was formed in response to lawsuits being filed against municipalities all over the country by big box stores who argued that their properties should be assessed and taxed as empty or "dark" stores would be. Our campaign included public listening sessions, education through social media, and coordinated work to petition legislators.
WINNEQUAH / MONONA TERRACYCLE
Founder, Former Program Coordinator
When my daughter was in elementary school I went to a PTO and learned about this recycling program that was in danger of being shut down. So, I assembled a group of parents and worked to revive it, eventually partnering with the library as a drop-off site. This program is now also part of a green team initiative at United Methodist Church.
MONONA SWIM AND DIVE
Former Sustainability Projects Coordinator
When Monona hosted the annual All City Swim Meet, we did something no other team had ever attempted - a Zero Waste event. And we did it with scores of volunteers, over three days, 25+ acres, and thousands of visitors. We also partnered with the city's utility, MGE, to offset 100% of our electricity use with green power. A truly remarkable achievement.
​
MONONA SUPPORT
.jpg)
"I trust Teresa completely to accomplish any project she is involved with (i.e. Terracycle, Monona's 100% Renewable Energy Resolution, Monona Grove School District's Sustainability Committee, and the High School solar array). We all benefit from her talents and passion for Monona. Teresa's leadership and commitment to get the job done has already improved our community in countless ways. I can't wait to see her impact on Monona as an Alder."
Beth Esser
One Energy Renewables, Development Specialist
CONTACT / HOST A YARD SIGN
Use this form for general questions or contact.
If you'd like to host a yard sign, make sure to include your street address. I'll drop off and pick up.
LET'S GET TO WORK. TOGETHER.
On a final note, it takes community support, not just elected leaders, to achieve our goals. Volunteers are the heart of a healthy, engaged, and thriving community. Currently, there are about 150 citizens who volunteer on city committees, where the work happens long before it gets to the council for a final decision. And committees are almost always in need of citizens to step up and offer their expertise, experiences, and ideas. You are qualified. Whatever your interests and availability, I urge you to find your fit and help build an even better Monona for all who are drawn here. Apply for an appointment to a city committee here: http://www.mymonona.com/FormCenter/Committee-Application-11/Citizen-Application-for-Appointment-to-a-53
To stay up to speed on what’s happening in Monona, sign up for the My Monona Newsletter. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/LiAxWwM
You can also watch all committee meetings on the Monona Community Media YouTube channel and/or the MononaGo mobile app.
​
Additionally, you can sign up for email and text alerts about news flashes, upcoming events, various city services, and the agendas of the city council and various boards and commissions on the Notify Me page of the city’s website, at: http://www.mymonona.com/list.aspx#agendaCenter.
