Madison's Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Receives Patty Prime Award

From the City of Madison:

December 3, 2019

Madison's Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Receives Patty Prime Award

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced today that Patty Prime is the recipient of the 2019 Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award.

The award was created by the Common Council to honor Madison residents who exemplify Jeff Erlanger’s model of fairness, openness, and civility in public discourse. Jeff, who passed away in 2007, was committed to public service. He understood that through civil debate and effective representation those with varying opinions could come together on how to solve issues within the community. Mr. Erlanger served on the City of Madison’s Economic Development Commission and chaired the Commission on People with Disabilities as well as the Board of Directors of the Community Living Alliance.

This year’s award winner, Patty Prime, has served as the President of the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association for five years and has guided the neighborhood through intensive development issues, greenspace preservation, planned for comprehensive transportation safety, worked to retain ash trees in neighborhood parks and stewarded the development of over 89 existing units of housing and an additional 100 units of affordable housing.

“Being a member of the team that selects the Civility in Public Discourse Award has been a highlight of my year,” said Pam Erlanger, Jeff’s mother. “I am so pleased to present the award to Patty Prime as she clearly has been a leader in Madison, stepping up and facilitating productive conversations often with folks who don’t agree on an issue. We need more community leaders like her.”

“I have known Patty for a number of years,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. It is humbling to honor Jeff’s memory with this award and I think Patty is an excellent choice. Her work in bringing neighbors together for the betterment of our community is just what Jeff strived to do. I am sure he would be pleased with this selection.”

Patty was nominated by Bob Klebba who stated, “Patty Prime sets the standard for civil discourse. Her leadership of neighborhood meetings has allowed all attendees to communicate freely without prejudice. Her efficient direction of communication and selfless style have
greatly benefited Tenney–Lapham and the City. Moreover, her example has encouraged me and others with whom I serve to continue to volunteer for the promotion and betterment of our neighborhood and Madison”.

This year for the first time, as the result of the establishment of a fund within the Madison Community Foundation, the awardee and the nominator are able to designate a $250 contribution to the non-profit of their choice. Patty Prime has selected The Road Home, Dane County as her choice and Bob Klebba has selected OutReach LGBT Community Center.

The Erlanger Award is an annual recognition and will be presented at the December 3, 2019 Common Council meeting, which is the closest meeting to Jeffrey Erlanger’s birthday of November 30.

This press release was produced by the City of Madison. The views expressed here are the author’s own.