Baillie Will Not Run for Re-election

Councilwoman Astri Baillie has announced she will not seek re-election in November. Baillie is in the ninth year of her third term serving the borough.

"It is gratifying that the main goals I set for each of my three terms on the Council have been achieved and I know I will step down at the end of the year with a positive spirit about what the Council has accomplished," Baillie said in a release.

Baillie serves as the council's liaison to the Planning Board, where she was during its meeting on Tuesday night. Members congratulated her on her tenure as word spread throughout the board before the start of its meeting.

Baillie, in her release, noted work promoting the adoption of Madison's open space trust fund, which has helped secure numerous grants for various land purchases. She also included her work with the Planning Board, including working to help craft a Gateway Zone on the eastern end of Madison and helping to amend the height ordinance in Madison's Central Business District.

She said she is most proud of two capital improvement projects.

"Finally, I am most proud of the Council teamwork that made possible the completion of the Public Safety Complex and a handicap accessible Hartley Dodge Memorial," Baillie said in her release.

Baillie also said when she first ran for council a major theme of her campaign was bi-partisanship.

Baillie is one of two Democrats on council (Robert Conley is the other). Baillie's announcement means only one incumbent will be running for re-election in November, Council President Jeannie Tsukamoto.