Recently, your newspaper ran an article regarding my participation on March 5, 2009 in the White House Forum on Health Reform. I am a medical student at the University of Wisconsin and a resident of Madison’s 5th District. Local elections are fast approaching, and I wanted to be sure to express my support for Shiva Bidar-Sielaff. I’m sure your publication will soon be running articles, doing interviews and spreading news regarding our local candidates and their hopes for this city. I would simply like to let you know why I, along with many other medical students and the residents of District 5, support Shiva.

Shiva has a proven record of leadership, serving her community and making Madison a better place to live. As a resident of District 5 for 11 years and spouse to native Madisonian Alex Sielaff, she knows the community like no other candidate. Among many other positions, she has been president of the South Madison Health and Family Center - Harambee, a member of the Public Health Commission and the Commission on the Environment. She is currently President of the Madison Police and Fire Commission, a member of the United Way Vision Council and remains a board member of the South Madison Health and Family Center - Harambee, a large and far-reaching community center that provides critical health, education, and family services for Madison community members.

Her commitment to education is exemplified by an invitation in January from School Superintendent Dan Nerad to participate in the school district’s strategic planning process, and, furthermore, she is endorsed by all of Madison’s key leaders. From Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and County Executive Kathleen Falk to alderpersons citywide, county board supervisors, school board leaders and the upstanding residents of District 5, her effective leadership, hard work and ability to interact with people of all backgrounds and perspectives have won the respect and support of her colleagues and neighbors.

She is multilingual, multitalented and a very kind and approachable person, indeed. District 5 needs a leader we can all trust to bring our concerns to the table so they are heard. Shiva has the background and interpersonal skills to listen, critically process and represent the needs of her constituents in ways that will bring results.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and I hope that we can all work together to bring the best leaders for Madison and Dane County to the forefront.

Siavash Sarlati
[email protected]
City of Madison District 5 Resident
MD Candidate, Class of 2011
School of Medicine and Public Health