Madison council honors departing members Regina Vittiver, MGR Govindarajan and Isidore Knox Jr.

The Madison Common Council on April 21 read and approved three resolutions commending departing members Regina Vittiver, MGR Govindarajan and Isidore Knox Jr. for their service. Each resolution was presented, moved and seconded; the chair recorded unanimous voice approval for each item.

Alder MGR Govindarajan read the resolution honoring Regina Vittiver, which commended her work as council president and noted her engagement on homelessness, lake health, violence prevention and sustainability. Vittiver thanked colleagues and said she looked forward to remaining involved in the city's civic life.

Alder Revere read the resolution honoring Govindarajan. Colleagues praised Govindarajan's work, and Alder Figueroa Cole offered a personal tribute, recalling their first meeting and Govindarajan's connection to student advocacy. Govindarajan said, "This truly has been the most unique and meaningful opportunity I have ever had in being in elected office," and pledged to stay engaged with the city.

Alder Revere also read the resolution for Isidore Knox Jr., which noted decades of public service and committee work. Knox thanked colleagues and used his remarks to call attention to continuing problems he said the city faces: "We need better employment opportunities, more affordable housing of all types. We have a homelessness problem that we really need to address," he said.

All three resolutions were approved by unanimous voice vote; the transcript records the chair asking if there were any objections and, when none were raised, recording enthusiastic unanimous votes. The session then moved on to organizational business and swearing-in of returning and new alders.