Middleton Review 484
December 8, 2025
In this issue:
Former Common Council member Jim Wexler has died
Spring elections: Kim Madden runs for new term
Community campus: How to pay for it
Former Common Council member Jim Wexler has died
Jim Wexler passed away on Sunday, November 30, at the age of 74 after a long illness. He was known to many Middleton residents as their long-time Common Council member (he represented District 4 for a record 27 years, from 1988 to 2015), and to many more for his community involvement. They knew him as a receptionist and administrative assistant at the Middleton Senior Center, as a crossing guard at Sauk Trail and Elm Lawn Elementary Schools, as an usher at Breese Stevens Field and at the Madison Mallards, and as a volunteer at the annual National Mustard Day. To his neighbors he was known for the joyous, whimsical and colorful decorations for all occasions in front of his apartment. To a select few he was known as the brain behind ‘The Brains That Wouldn’t Die’, a trivia team he co-founded in 2009 and named after the 1962 science fiction horror film ‘The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’. The fact that he would draw his inspiration from science fiction and horror was no coincidence, since he was an expert in both genres. These and his many other interests helped his team win three state trivia championships, most recently in 2024. That same year he was recognized for his service to the community with the Middleton Good Neighbor Award.
Spring elections: Kim Madden runs for new term
District 2 Common Council representative Kim Madden is running for reelection. She was first elected in 2022, and announced her decision on Facebook on December 6: ‘It has been absolute honor to serve as the City of Middleton’s alderperson for District 2. I have met and gotten to know so many of my neighbors, made new friends and connections, and learned an enormous amount about local government and how it functions. With the blessing of my two fantastic kids, I have decided to pursue another term, so that I can continue to serve my community to the best of my ability. I’ll be out and about collecting nomination signatures on this sunny day, and, if I may share a proud Mom moment, my very first signatory was my daughter!’
