I am a life long resident of Menasha. My family has a long history of working for the city. My Dad and Grandpa were Police Officers for over 30 years. I also worked for the city Street Department for five summers during my college years. These experiences have provided me with a great deal of knowledge concerning the city and the progress the city has made. I am currently completing my 4th term (8 years) as District 8 Alderman. I am currently Chairman of the Board of Public Works. This followed 2 years as Vice Chairman of the Board of Public Works. I was also on the Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue Joint Finance and Personnel Committee for 4 years. I was also an active participant in Menasha's 150th committee. My background also includes being the Chairman (2021) of the original Gather Round Ad Hoc Committee. We raised over $32,000 dollars to purchase the Christmas ornaments/lights on Main Street and around the Curtis Reed Plaza.
Our Community Development staff has highlighted a number of potential opportunities for the city. These are all based on growing our housing stock and providing areas for business development. The Oneida corridor has areas set aside for future business growth. There are also future plans for housing development on Province Terrace and the Sandhill project close to the Fire Station.
Another development is planned for the area off of Lake Park Road/Villa Way. This area has planned business opportunities. The area in front of Lake Park Fitness is also a planned business area.
These areas all benefit the city by providing housing and business opportunities. The East side of Oneida Street/District 8 is the major growth area for the city.
My role as Alderman and council member is to support/encourage these developments as they help growing our tax base and provide opportunities for our citizens to frequent/financially support businesses in Menasha.
Menasha has many fine assets. We have completely redone Jefferson Park to make it a wonderful place for celebrations and events. The city also has many accessible bike/walking trails, a variety of restaurants, and many places to live in our downtown. Another fine asset that we have is our Public Works Department. They do an exceptional job plowing our streets and doing general maintenance.
Our biggest challenges are getting businesses to relocate to our downtown, getting citizens from our city, especially our eastside residents to visit our downtown, and developing our blighted areas in our city.
The role of the City Council is to vote to provide funding for the city to improve the infrastructure of the city. As city leaders we should attend city events and continually look for ways to improve our city.
Menasha's New Years Eve celebration was organized by former Alderman James and Monica Taylor. This event was sponsored by private funding. It would need the City to create an AD HOC committee much like the Gather Round Committee that I was chairman of in 2021 to raise the funds for this yearly event. The city contributes money along with various sponsors for our July 4th Fireworks. City funds could be set aside in every budget to help with the sponsorship of this event. However, money set aside for this would affect other parts of the city budget. I am more comfortable working to develop outside partnerships to fund this New Years Eve event. Any type of event that brings people downtown is a benefit to the Main Street businesses.
Serving on the Menasha City Council requires more than an interest in local government. It demands a combination of leadership, accountability, communication, and a deep understanding of how decisions made at City Hall affect the daily lives of residents. My professional background as a law enforcement supervisor, a college instructor, and a small business owner, has given me a unique blend of skills and perspectives that I believe would make me a strong and effective asset. These role have shaped how I approach problem solving, community engagement, and fiscal responsibility. They will allow me to be more effective as your voice on the council.
The Menasha 2035 Plan lays out a bold and thoughtful vision for the city’s future, one that honors its history while embracing new opportunities for growth, livability, and economic resilience. As Menasha continues to evolve, the plan provides a roadmap for strengthening neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, enhancing public spaces, and ensuring that residents benefit from a thriving, modern community. Several elements of the plan stand out as particularly transformative: mixed use development, waterfront revitalization, expanded parks and recreational spaces, and a strategic transition away from a manufacturing dependent economy. The common council can be the bridge between residents and planners. Council members can canvas their districts, hold office hours at local venues and disseminate information via email and social media posts.
Menasha’s greatest assets are its beautiful parks, its hardworking people, and its developing waterfront together creating a strong foundation for growth, families, and a high quality of life. Menasha’s biggest challenges include managing long term debt and working within fixed borders that limit expansion, requiring smart planning and efficient use of existing space. The City Council accentuates the positive by serving as champions for Menasha. By communicating honestly, setting realistic goals, and ensuring transparency in every decision. By leading with integrity and clarity, the Council builds trust and helps eliminate the negative through accountable, community focused governance.
The city could provide guidance and assist in establishing a non-profit organization. This organization would be responsible for all aspects of the event, including funding. The city could establish an ad hoc committee similar to the sesquicentennial committee. They would assist in planning and fund raising the event.
