Monona without swells
I enjoyed David Medaris' column about kayaking Lake Monona and the Yahara during near-flood stage ("Two Feet High and Risin'," 8/31/07). I've been kayaking on Monona numerous times before and after the high water. The no-wake rule has completely changed the character of the lake for people in small boats, canoes and kayaks.
The size and speed of some boats, even in the middle of the lake, usually creates nasty waves and swells everywhere. But with no-wake it is, well, like a natural lake rather than a water park.
I've noticed more kayaks, canoes, and smaller fishing boats using Lake Monona since the no-wake rule. One kayaker at the Olin Park landing told me she would normally never go on this lake because of the choppy waters and huge artificial swells created by larger boats.
I also heard a fisherman say he would get sick from bouncing in the swells before no-wake was implemented. A kayaker friend told me that she and her husband would, prior to the high water, limit their outings to the permanent no-wake zone in Squaw Bay because of the boat-caused turbulence elsewhere.
I hope the lake-wide no-wake rule lasts a long time.
Jeffrey J. Strobel
Rubeville speaks
Thankfully, Madison's mayor realized that addressing the deterioration of public safety in Madison takes precedence over promoting a trolley system for the downtown ("The Little Train That Couldn't," 8/24/07).
The mayor's sarcastic tone and his comment in a local newspaper ("I don't think I ever made a clear enough case for it") demonstrate a condescending and paternalistic attitude toward the electorate.
He did make a clear case for trolleys, and that is why the public rebuked his plan. Many of us out here in Rubeville believe that with crime spiraling out of control, with murders happening seemingly on a monthly basis, with whole neighborhoods fearful of leaving the security of their homes, the trolley idea was obscuring the mayor's focus on crime suppression.
The mayor seems to be saying that we, the great unwashed, would have embraced trolley straps with both hands had he only stooped a bit further in our direction. If he had only leaned in close and sweetly whispered his far-sighted plan, he would have prompted us to run through the auto-clogged thoroughfares yelling, "Clang-clang-clang! Give us the trolleys!"
Bill Sumner
How they rank
Letter writers Eric Alvin and Ann Dwyer (8/17/07) both state that "The Mic" personality Stephanie Miller (weekdays 8-11 a.m.) is "#1 in her time slot." That's not true.
In the winter Madison Arbitron survey, Magic 98 WMGN ranked first with total audience (persons 12+) and adults (persons 25+). The Mic ranked sixth and fifth, respectively.
In a four-survey average (summer 2006 through spring 2007), Magic still maintained the top spot in these demos, and The Mic was still fifth and sixth, respectively.
In fact, The Mic is not even the top talk radio station at that time of day. WIBA-AM has a larger audience.
Pat O'Neil,
program director,
WMGN
