Late Councilman's 'Good Lives On' in Madison

The public service for former Madison councilman Don Links was profoundly rewarding, said the current body of councilmen and women as they commemorated the man who bravely fulfilled his elected term this past year.

Links, 66, who was honored at a Monday council meeting, died on July 27. He was a tireless advocate for recreation and the development of the Madison Recreation Complex. He served his time on the council from January 2010 until December 2012, following his 2009 election.

He suffered from a severely degenerative disease, called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which was diagnosed in April 2011. He withdrew his name for council re-election last September, citing his health issues. 

According to multiple council members (who held a moment of silence for the former public servant), Links always seemed to keep the council on their toes, or prepared to deal with contemporary issues that faced Madison taxpayers.

“He served his full term,” said Mayor Bob Conley. “Even when that meant communicating through his laptop. Nothing would stop him from giving to the community.”

According to Conley, the former councilman always had a knack for understanding when it was time to move along in the agenda during meetings, having a particularly unparalleled hand motion that was sure to keep the mayor cognizant.

Making the same gesture, Conley then said to a roomful of tender smiles, “Okay, I believe now we shall move on.” 

Councilman Robert Catalanello then said Links was enthusiastic, persuasive, diligent and dedicated. He said that the two forged a bond, especially when dealing with the development of the athletic complex. Links would always tell him “Don’t worry about the politics, just do what you think is right.”

Catalanello, a keen Shakespeare admirer, then alluded to the tragedy of Julius Caesar, using the words of Mark Antony’s eulogy – “The good is oft interred with their bones...”

“But that couldn’t be more wrong with Don,” said Catalanello. “His good lives on; through his commitment to Madison. And to speak of the eulogy one last time, it says, ‘He was my friend, faithful and just to me.’”

Council president Carmela Vitale, then urged residents to not only remember former Councilman Links as a staunch advocate for recreation, but also as a husband, father, brother and “veteran of a war with a disease that took his life,” as ALS is prone to affect those who serve in the military.

“He was proud of his service to the country,” said Vitale. “That’s what we should remember about him. And he had a tenacity about understanding what needed to be done and how.”

Councilwoman Astri Baillie said, “We lost a devoted, enthusiastic person, who cared deeply about the community. He will be missed.”

Council member Benjamin Wolkowitz said that although he didn’t get to know Links very well, at the last council meeting that Links attended, there was a profound moment for Wolkowitz, where he received tremendous insight on “just who indeed (Don) was.

“Although I may not have been his first choice for councilman,” said Wolkowitz. “He gave me a tremendous handshake and said, ‘You’ll do great.’ I’m very sorry that he’s leaving us.”

Conley than stood to read a proclamation commemorating the former councilman.