Wausau’s city council chambers saw more attendees than a typical city meeting Tuesday evening — and those in attendance, including former city council members — seemed largely supportive of the idea.
The idea? Bringing a city administrator to Wausau.
That’s the what. But the “why now” is a little more difficult to parse.
The town hall featured Michael Ford from UW-Oshkosh, someone with city council and school board experience, talking about the benefits and downsides of having an administrator. The speaker claimed they create more stability, are still removable by the council and can more than pay for their salary in efficiencies and grant applications.
The city in 2015 held a non-binding referendum on whether or not to hire a city administrator. The idea was narrowly voted down at the time.
The Wausonian publisher, present at the meeting, asked Mayor Doug Diny why the city was talking about it now. Diny has been calling for the city to consider hiring an administrator since he was a city council member, and as mayor he attempted to add an administrator to the budget in order to prompt a discussion about the idea. That, he told The Wausonian, was a mistake.
But Diny said he thought there was more support for the idea now, and the town hall was a way of starting the discussion. The next step was for the city council to start discussing the idea. The council could either vote to allow a referendum, vote to hold the referendum directly or a group of citizens could gather enough signatures to hold a referendum. Those referendums are now binding, a UW-Oshkosh expert explained.
But few council members attended. Only current council member Bruce Trueblood was in attendance, along with two former city council members. Trueblood explained many might be watching at home or would watch on replay.
The Wausonian spoke to the lead IRS investigator tracking all the money would be unlicensed financial advisor Stanley Pophal stole from victims — which he used to be hundreds of snowmobiles.
The part of the Stanley Pophal story you don’t know
A federal judge on Sept. 2 sentenced former wealth advisor Stanley Pophal to eight years in federal prison. The sentence came as Pophal was convicted multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering connected to defrauding nearly 200 investors, most of them seniors, collectively of more than $14 million.
And, Wausau this month will have new piano bar - and event space, and art education space and… well, the list of uses goes on:
Westsider Lounge brings a new experience to Wausau’s west side
When Tyler Vogt starts a new business, he isn’t necessarily rushed. He meticulously works until the business is up to his standards.
And, last Friday was the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Your Wausonian editor recounts just where he was that day, and how every one of those places is now gone.
Every place I went to on 911 in Wausau is gone
I was debating whether to write this today. Today’s post is going to be a little different than our usual news story. (I’ve got a great business story for you tomorrow, and an exclusive interview with the investigator of a financial fraud case probably the following day)
What else in Wausau?
Guv candidate’s plan lands in Lake Wausau: Candidate for Wisconsin Governor Tom Tiffany’s plane made an emergency landing in Lake Wausau Saturday night. According to a press release from the city along with an X post by Tiffany himself, the plane made an emergency landing after losing power. Tiffany and his pilot were rescued by Wausau Fire Department workers. They were transported to Aspirus Wausau Hospital and Tiffany says he and the pilot received minor injuries but were otherwise fine.
Memorial bridge remnant headed for landmark status: A remnant of the former Memorial/Scott Street bridge is being recommended for historical status. The Plan Commission Tuesday voted to recommend the remnant gain historical status to the city council, which will take up the vote at a later meeting. The bridge was dedicated to World War I veterans and was once visited by President Calvin Coolidge.
City health premiums increase budget — but less than expected: City health insurance premiums will increase next year by nearly 10% — but that’s after negotiating that cost from double that amount. The initial proposal was more than 20% until it was negotiated down. Still the health premiums will add another $550,000 to the city’s budget. Deductibles and premiums are also increasing for employees.
Residents ask city to change plowing on boulevard streets: More than a dozen residents asked city leaders last week to start plowing snow toward the boulevard on city streets instead of to the curb. The city once plowed this way, but more recently had started plowing snow to the curb. Residents speaking at the meeting say plowing to the curb blocks driveways, causes safety hazards and covers fire hydrants. But city leaders say it would either add time to their plowing efforts, or cost between $15,000 and $20,000 for additional wings, plus additional equipment, to push it to the curb. Staff were directed to come back with specifics about the costs in time or money to restore the plowing practice.
Around the metro
County re-evaluating Rib Mountain Deputy deal: Marathon County leaders are weighing changes to a contract for deputies that serve Rib Mountain. Right now, county officials say, about 29% of the village’s calls for service are handled by one of three dedicated county deputies the village contracts for, with the rest handled by general deputies. That means the contract isn’t covering the full cost of service, says Marathon County Sheriff Chad Billeb. County analysis estimates that means a $30,000 shortfall per deputy. County leaders instructed administration to continue negotiations with Rib Mountain.
Tommy’s Car Wash in Weston found out of compliance: Tommy’s Car Wash in Weston was found out of compliance with its conditional use permit, the village’s Plan Commission ruled. Tommy’s Car Wash under its agreement with the village is supposed to provide an annual underground sediment tank inspection report, and a certificate of environmental insurance. But, village officials claim, the car wash has not provided an inspection report since 2021 and appeared to have never filed a certificate of environmental insurance. The plan commission gave Tommy’s until Sept. 23 to provide the reports and the certificate. Plan Commission members were especially concerned because the business is in a wellhead protection district.
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Business
Writual Collective opens downtown: A new store called Writual Collective plans to open this weekend in downtown Wausau. The national brand, which carries tarot cards, crystals, books and other spiritual tools, will open in the space formerly occupied by Norwegian Wood. The business plans to host an open house from 5-8 pm Friday and opens to the public on Saturday.
Entertainment
Stevens Point band Dandelion Delivery Service found that magic that bands always look for - that combo that gives you the juice to make it big enough to do it full time. We’re highlighting their Faraway Place show this week, but also pumpkin spice season is in full force with Oktoberfests, harvest fests and other fun fall activities. All in Your Wausome Weekend Guide.
Dandelion Delivery Service encore | Your Wausome Weekend Guide
Stevens Point band Dandelion Delivery Service found that magic that bands always look for - that combo that gives you the juice to make it big enough to do it full time. We’re highlighting their Faraway Place show this week, but also pumpkin spice season is in full force with Oktoberfests, harvest fests and other fun fall activities. All in Your Wausome…
Sports
Football: Wausau West continued its undefeated streak in the conference with a Friday win, 31-17 over Wisconsin Rapids. That puts the Warriors at 2-0 to start the conference season. Meanwhile, D.C. Everest took its first conference win of the season, beating Marshfield 10-9.
Volleyball: After handing Wausau West its first conference loss of the season, D.C. Everest is now 2-0 in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. The Evergreens defeated the Warriors in four games to notch the win.
Boys soccer: D.C. Everest defeated Marshfield 4-0 Tuesday, making them the top Wausau area team in the Valley with a 2-1 record.
Girls tennis: Wausau West beat D.C. Everest Thursday to get its first Wisconsin Valley Conference win of the season, giving the team a 1-0 record.
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