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I grew up as the youngest of 7, so I am well accustomed to negotiating and making my voice heard in a group. As the downtown Rhinelander UPS driver for the last two and a half decades, I’ve built relationships with almost all of the business owners and residents in the city. We’ve discussed hardships, offered opinions, and shared our best and worst times. I’ve watched their children grow and start their own families. I hope that because they know me, they will feel comfortable approaching me with their issues. My father served on the Stella Town Board for most of my childhood, and that gave me a sense of community and an understanding of how councils and boards work. When my wife and I purchased our home, we learned how to create a budget and spend our money strategically to meet our goals. Having a clear understanding of the difference between something we want and something we need is a particularly important skill —particularly during times when inflation outpaces income.

My first concern is affordable housing. Without it, workers and their families will not be able to stay in Rhinelander even if they come here to work. The dollars they earn may not be spent here, and the taxes they pay will not end up in our revenue stream. To start, we need to transform existing, empty structures into affordable apartments. Then we need to investigate programs/incentives we may be able to offer citizens that can make owning a home in the city desirable and affordable. My second concern is well-lit, well-maintained sidewalks and green spaces. Our citizens need to be able walk and bike safely, so our sidewalks need to provide access to all neighborhoods. Small, public parks provide 3rd places for people to gather, and street trees provide cooler sidewalks and cleaner air. When choosing outdoor lighting for these areas, we should ensure we are making environmentally sound choices that don’t add to the light pollution.

We need to ensure the city is accessible to everyone regardless of ability. All our citizens and visitors deserve access to shop and dine at local businesses, attend happenings, and use all that the city has to offer. Providing accessible parking and funding public transportation are top priorities.

The city assigns council members their own email when elected, so my constituents will be able to email me by accessing the City of Rhinelander’s website. I will check my email account daily, and respond as quickly as possible. I will also attend all City Council meetings, and I plan to arrive early in case anyone would like to talk to me.