While making the community attractive to talented, industrious, and creative individuals, as well as new industries and employers vital to the prosperity of this citys future, we must engage and encourage those members of the community that are already invested and involved residents. Doug Diny, Jesse Kearns, Vada Perkins and Kate Tracey have all thrown their hat into the ring. . We must prioritizeindependent economic sustainability and limit dependencies on freefundsfrom federal/state sources because there is no such thing; if we cant afford it, then we cant afford it. Marquette University Law School. Published content is property of Wausau Pilot and Review. My law practice (representing employeebenefit funds)honed my negotiation skills, key for fostering cooperation, productive discussion, and balancing different parties interests. She added that the amended version of the proposal was far better than the previous one. In District 2, incumbent Michael Martens received 53% of the vote, over Tiffany Rodriguez-Leewho received 46.5%. The diversity resolution was developed by the Diversity Affairs Commission of Marathon County last year. District 11:Chad Henke defeated incumbent Debra Ryan who received52% of the vote. To be clear, this hasnt happened overnight, its a trend; I think the mayor campaigned on fixing this, and I can help. Kham T. Yang, a, Mayor and Chamber insist Wausau will welcome and help new arrivals Damakant Jayshi Some elected and business leaders in Wausau believe the community is eager to welcome new refugees, including Afghans, as part of a, Damakant Jayshi The debate over diversity resolutions in Marathon County and Wausau exposed rifts not only between elected officials but also among members of the community, mirroring a divide that, polls show, is only getting, Damakant Jayshi After more than a year of discussion and undergoing multiple revisions, a diversity resolution on Tuesday failed to pass when the Marathon County Board of Supervisors deadlocked on the proposal. This experience helped me understand both the need for economic stability in cities across this country, while also shedding light on what can happen if ambitions blind us to the human consequences when development is at the behest of the people and not on their behalf. MORE:Aldi to open new grocery store in village of Weston, MORE:Nearly 3 years after Shopko closed, the Wausau VA Clinic is breathing new life into the vacant building in Rothschild. 2023 www.wausaudailyherald.com. Even with these efforts, Wausaus warming center reported 72 unique clients who sought shelter there in November alone, according to city documents. 3 Alder Tom Kilian, who voted against the measure, openly asked in September just how much of Wausaus sprawling riverfront the city plans to fence off if the project is truly about public safety. Quality planning, inspection, audit, quality information, quality improvement consulting, and quality communications are examples of the kind of services the organization provides.<br><br>The Manager . The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed 'We Are Wausau' resolution by a 9-2 vote. I believe this is the most essential, grassroots engine to building a great place to live and work. I wouldnt. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) This week's winter storm has postponed a much-anticipated discussion by the Wausau City Council. District 8:Incumbent Sarah Watson defeated Thomas "Tony" Brown with 65% of the vote. Announcements You can also view all available items in the Archive. In April 2016, the last time that local races were held alongside a presidential primary, 64% of registered voters in the city made their way to the polls. I trust citizens judgement: I support letting people choose. Alder Rasmussen, a steadfast opponent of the proposal, said her goal was not to stop or stifle a healthy discussion. Neal, who was sharply criticized by Alders Rasmussen and Deb Ryan for his past remarks at the ED committee meetings, told Wausau Pilot & Review that he regretted some of his remarks he made previously. Gov. All Rights Reserved. The city has a severe affordable housing shortage and advocates have called for building more units for low income people. Equity, which means the quality of being fair and impartial, was characterized as a Marxist lexicon and recently tied with critical race theory (CRT). To address this issue we need to increase the amount of outreach we do as leaders, in order to create as many opportunities as we can to give rise to higher levels of public engagement. All Rights Reserved. The City of Wausau is proud to offer the most recent video-taping of the City Council Meeting. In District 3, Tom Kilianreceived 71% of the vote, while incumbentDavid Nuttingreceived 28%. 7 Alder Lisa Rasmussen pointed to efforts by the city to address homelessness and said the city should not consider the bridge a solution. Kilian said he received significant contacts from citizens concerned about the lack of an emergency preparedness plan to address homeless residents during Decembers bitter cold and blizzard conditions, prompting him to speak with Marathon County officials about putting emergency plans and shelter options in place that could be activated when predefined thresholds of risk are reached. I see the connection between support for entrepreneurship, keeping dollars local,and growing the tax base, attracting investors, creating jobs. City Council Alderpersons. On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Board of Public Works opened bids for the project, which received one response to a request for proposals issued in January. I am a strong advocate in providing affordable housing opportunities to young professionals-new nurses, teachers, police officers, etc. They are banned from the parking ramps and the shelters are unable to accommodate the current growing number of our unhoused. Fax: (715) 261-6808 For republication information email editor@wausaupilotandreview.com.. https://www.facebook.com/wausaudistrict4/, https://www.ci.wausau.wi.us/Portals/0/Departments/Finance/Documents/2022_Budget.pdf, https://public.tableau.com/shared/7MD9M9RCH? What are three things you want people to know about you before heading to the polls? Ive commanded soldiers around the world on very challenging and sensitive missions. She said people who oppose the measure failed to understand what the marginalized and disabled people go through. Among those who supported the resolution, Christine Salm said the people who opposed the resolutions were trying to have it both ways. District 2: Ann Lemmer defeated Destiny Goretski with 61% of the vote forthe seat vacated by Jenifer Bizzotto. Any time there is a public event that directly informs us on an issue a committee is handling, the council members on that committee should attempt to obtain public comment. Mayor Katie Rosenberg was elected Chief Executive Officer for the City of Wausau and is responsible for supervising and directing the day-to-day operations of city government. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. Experts say that eradicating homelessness altogether relies largely on a housing first philosophy, which prevents at-risk people from falling into such situations at high rates. The 11-member Common Council adopted the renamed We Are Wausau resolution by a 9-2 vote. District 17:Incumbent Jennifer Aarrestad defeated challenger Cheryl Martino with 59% of the vote. The top two vote-getters will move on to the spring election on April 5. ?The approved We are Wausau resolution can be viewed here. Wausau in September made headway when they appointed a new officer to connect unhoused residents with services and resources available in the city. Our Customers are organizations such as federal, state, local, tribal, or other municipal government agencies (including administrative agencies, departments, and offices thereof), private businesses, and educational institutions (including without limitation K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and vocational schools), who use our Services to evaluate job . Wausau City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of Wausau City Hall, 407 Grant Street. Additionally, we have a group who are unable to shelter due to trauma, mental illness and other issues. All rights reserved. The Wausau City Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 407 Grant St., Wausau. Whether that means being there in person to ask questions or reaching out to organizers to coordinate discourse, it is crucial that our leaders make the effort to listen and be present. With four candidates on the ballot, a primary will be held Feb. 15 to narrow the field to two. District 25:Timothy M. Sondelski beat incumbent Sandy Cihlar with 59% of the vote. We have to start somewhere.. Thursday's Committee of the Whole meeting on the issue of homelessness has been wiped off the calendar for Thursday, with no make-up date announced. Gisselman and Kilian say there must be a better way, moving forward. The new price tag is considerably higher than the $58,000 discussed last year. Its important to identify what we mean by affordable housing crisis in Wausau. The city needs to take some action, Gisselman said. District 5:Gary Gisselman defeated Cody Nikolai with 63% of the vote for the seat vacated by Ka Lo. The alderperson member shall be elected by a two-thirds vote of the common council at its regular April meeting each year. The Mayorhas a statutory duty to take care that city ordinances and state laws are observed and enforced and that all city officers and employees discharge their duties. It is important that our leaders be able to not only interpret the data presented to them, but also to have the fortitude to accept the conclusions the data supports, especially when the findings disagree with individual preferences and biases. Maintenance is like shaving, youve got to do a little every day. Henry Coutinho-Mason, Lydia Caldana, Kelly Vaught, Max Lenderman, Emma Chiu, Clem Garritty, Ollie Jones, Richard Mathews #future Simon Pulman Entertainment Lawyer Focused on Complex Rights Deals. Given this ongoing debate, I certainly believe there needs to be more actionable dialogue with objective findings/recommendations to truly understand the pain points and come up with real solutions. This notice was posted at City Hall and transmitted to the Wausau Daily Herald on 03/01/2023 @ 9:00 AM. The Economic Development Team is key, and Ill seek a seat on that committee to help shift our focus from the entertainment industry to hunting down manufacturing and projects that generate jobs and tax base. But in 2022 when the council approved the liaison position Kilian asked that, should a more appropriate department be created in the future, that employee could be transitioned from the Wausau Police Department roster to that department. I will agree with them, for the mayors Five-Year Strategic Plan success, how we allocate assets and find revenue streams in response to citizen input, we need council members who understand the revenue and budget process. He is also a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of GroundTruth Project that places journalists into local newsrooms. It is unsafe and does nothing for the dignity of those in need or to mitigate prolonged suffering.. Additionally, the original developer enjoyed a low interest loan from the city, city property tax relief as well as state tax credits to offset the subsidized rents. In my hometown of Green Bay, the debate over how to spend ARPA money has gotten ugly. Dist. While I have spent the majority of my life in Wausau, I feel that it is difficult to fully understand where you are from without having spent time in other places, with other communities. (see attached chart). Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS). In District 8, Sarah Watsonreceived 59% of the vote, while incumbent Linda Lawrencegot 39.9%. They think these resolutions have no teeth and they are not going to do anything, Salm said. Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee. If this item will be exactly the same as what came before us before, my perspective on the matter has not changed, and my position on the item will be the same as it was at the earlier date, Kilian said. Occupation: Fitness instructor at Woodson YMCA, Other public service, if any: Pro bono legal services while at Marquette Law School, Education: B.A. We are very concerned for the safety and and well being of the unhoused who depend on the shelter these bridges provide from dangerous elements our harsh winter brings, Kelch said. In two recent media Q&As, my opponents Kate Tracey and Vada Perkins mentioned fiscal responsibility. First: Istrive for transparency and accessibility in my personal life and would do the same as a city council member, offering the community clear information about what theirlocal government is doing, as well as relaying their concerns and advocating for their needs to city leadership. Its not just money falling from the sky; its a short-term boost to our revenue stream, so we must spend it within the law and not leverage against our future ability to maintain spending. 5, and Tom Kilian, representing Dist. Occupation: Policy executive and small business owner, Other public service:Retired from Active Duty (15 years US Army, 12 years USPHS), Education: BS-University of Maryland, MS-Johns Hopkins University, MSc, Doctoral Studies-University of Southern California, Election website or Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/district4wausau. After a contentious discussion on Tuesday, the Wausau City Council approved a request by two alders to hold a meeting on the way the city responds to homelessness. I spent a good portion of my childhood in District 4 and attended Hawthorn Hills Elementary. She reminded the Council that the Warming Center, while a tool to help serve the unhoused residents of Wausau, has limited room. District 21:Incumbent Thomas N. Rosenberg defeated challenger Dave Dailey, winning with 52% of the vote. My legal training hasequipped me tointerpret and apply federal and state law and municipal codelaw, to find and utilize available programs and form impactful policy. As council president, shame. Leadership comes from every level of the organization. Bliven also addressed the death of a woman in December who was staying in a tent underneath a Wausau bridge. By allocating land, the city retains the ability to ensure the public is considered as a whole when development projects are proposed and permits are drafted. McElhaney, who is City Council President, said she was taken aback by the vehemence of the opposition to the proposal and was called racist and bigot for supporting it. Previously, he had been Sheriff of Marathon County, Wisconsin; Chairman of the Marathon County Board; a member of the Wausau City Council and Mayor of Wausau. 715 . The number of unhoused, he said, is likely in the realm of 300 people including people living in parking ramps, parks, cars, shelters and other non-permanent homes. Ill be there, as 46 apartments in my East High Apartment building have been given notice that the Citys agreement for WEDA Section 42 has ended. WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) The Wausau City Council voted 8-3 to approve a future Committee of the Whole meeting on homelessness in the city. My goal was to find a product that would get more backing, she said. Some council members appeared to balk at the idea of forming a new city department, though Wausau did have a city health officer in the past. U.N.-branded vehicles were once ubiquitous there, but its staff now appear to be keeping a much lower profile than . Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS), Sustainability Energy and Environment Committee, Sustainability, Energy and Environment Committee. The vote was preceded by a more measured discussion than the one witnessed at the Economic Development Committee which discussed the proposal and voted to move it forward. The Salvation Army reported 55 clients in November. 4 is on the east side of the city just north of the downtown area, as shown on the map below. February During Tuesdays Council meeting, Wausau Police Chief Ben Bliven gave a presentation on the state of homelessness in the area and shared a Point in Time count that estimated more than 200 people in Marathon County do not have a place to live. These spaces not only serve as a way for the community to come together, but they help generate tourism and event dollars for local business. There are few ways to examine social issues without taking data and research into account. The focus and funding would be better placed on finding permanent long term solutions for overflow and alternatives for those who can not use traditional shelters.. Wausau Police this week officially released incident reports related to the December death of a woman who was living under a city bridge. 61-4472 4, 1980; Ord. The top candidates will move on to face off in the spring election this April. (page 33 from PDF) In the same letter to the economic development committee, Patterson illustrates why this approach is not meant to address the affordable aspect of the housing in his next paragraph by saying, I point out the timing for development of this property because we dont want to deliver the riverfront development and the mall redevelopment at the same as we dont want to risk the properties competing against each other (page 33 of PDF) Essentially this illustrates the reality that Wausau is not facing a lack of housing in a general sense, but rather it is lacking affordable housing for middle to low income families. That would leave 384 total units. Dont assume nothings happening because things are happening all the time, she said. I feel seen.. The city wasnt really engaged in this conversation at all but when I heard a version was going to the (Marathon) county executive committee in May, I went to the public comment portion to express my support, Rosenberg told Wausau Pilot & Review. How has your experience prepared you for Council service? . UW-Madison, J.D. Dist. District 38:Bobby Niemeyertopped incumbent Jonathan Fisherwith63% of the vote. Copyright (c) 2023 Wausau Wisconsin The following is a list of Boards, Committees and Commissions. 2023 www.wausaudailyherald.com. District 6:Stacey Morache defeatedincumbent Jeff Johnson with 58% of the vote. The best way to prioritize our budget is to encourage civic engagement so that as the funds collected from local residents is spent, the residents themselves are able to guide the hand of their local leadership. that this community needs. District 34:Jason Wilhelmdefeatedincumbent Gary Beastrom with 54% of the vote. I spent several years living on Maui, HI. District 7:Incumbent Becky Buch won against Alex Eichten with 58% of the vote. I dont even know what that will be, but we need to start by listening.. If the bids remain high like they were before, absent approval of the added funds, the project would be stalled until either the cost comes down or the added money is approved, she said. This process should not pit competing groups against each other; rather, ARPA is a straightforward budget priority process. Gary Gisselman, Mary Thao and Dennis Smith did not run for their seats, leaving districts 5, 10 and 11 without an incumbent. Here are the results for the City Council races: In District 1, incumbent PatPeckham beat out Chris Norfleet, with 77.9% of the vote. WAUSAU Multiple incumbents were booted off the County Board by Marathon County voters, while two incumbents lost Wausau City Council races in Tuesday's election. Reporter Megan Stringer contributed to this report. 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