Dear editor,

So Wausau has a new mayor.

This one thinks Wausau needs a whale. A whale being a big fat corporate presence that will eat up a lot of land, use up a lot of space, lay down a lot of heat creating pavement, use up more of our natural resources, and create jobs for people we don’t have, nor have housing for. But! The idea is it will bring in important tax revenue. It may do so at the risk of further destroying the character of a medium-sized town that many of us are happy to call home.

This is an all too common mindset of politicians and leaders, and I am bone weary of it. So is the planet. Yet by wanting a “whale” to come to Wausau, this mayor is basically continuing the political patterns of leaders that ignore the environment in favor of continual development. Isn’t this a major cause of the planets crisis right now? Ignore the value of open or green spaces? Continue to build, grow and deplete the land and resources of the area the politicians are active in. The value of green space for mental health, and noise reduction alone is tremendously underrated. I would like to say that undeveloped land has value as it is and is not to be considered vacant.

I moved to Wausau from Milwaukee 20 years ago. I was not happy to do so. What I did not know then was that moving to a smaller town, with less traffic, and less noise, and more green space would help me become a much nicer person. The adjustment was wonderful. In those 20 years I have seen many of my favorite “open” or “undeveloped” spaces turned into commercial business sites. More glass windows for birds to kill themselves by flying into. Surely “Bird City” can do better to provide habitat for its city namesake.

I recently returned from a visit to Milwaukee, where I heard from many folks at a gathering what they thought of Wausau. Most opinions were like “It has gotten too big, too fast.” Or “I prefer to drive through to Mercer now.” Wausau is sometimes referred to as a “Gateway to the Northwoods,” The Northwoods being a refuge from the frantic, striving, competition and concrete of cities. Why can’t we nurture this?

But Doug says Wausau needs a “whale.” It seems he is of the traditional political mindset of build, expand and grow. I have often feared, and occasionally witnessed, this that mentality has the ability to destroy the welcoming character of the cities in which it rules. With all value placed on commerce, and little on nurturing the environment we need, or already have.

Does Fox Con ring a bell to anyone?

I am quite tired of the current mindset that exists in the powers of this country and much of the world. Grow, build, expand.  Develop “vacant” land, ignore the value of wetlands, and open space. Open space doesn’t create revenue, unless it an athletic field. Development fills the town’s coffers and pockets of those that have much more than I will ever have. Never mind that natural areas are beneficial to the mental health of all of us. When will a politician actually place a value on the natural areas that surround us, and nurture them? If you look at conditions of the world today the current mindset of political leadership is still stuck in expanding development. Not expanding, and healing the earth, and the psyche of humans.

I don’t think Wausau needs a “whale.” Maybe it could benefit from a few “dolphins.” Placed strategically, on “used” land .ie, the lot across from Home Depot, the lot across from Menards, the former Wausau Mall site. Many of these “used” sites are privately held, but up for sale. Invite and work with groups that Wausau can use to enhance it’s “Bird City,” or “Gateway to the Northwoods” image with. But with consideration of healing the environment, and future goals of considerate development. It is not a quick fix. But with time and proper guidance it could lead to this town becoming a place people want to be. I fear this leader may not have the mindset of so many prior leaders, to step beyond the lines and start a new way of leadership and healing.

Under the guidance of Katie Rosenberg we have learned to use goats for the control of invasive plants, thus reclaiming park space. We have clean, potable water, quite an impressive feat considering the extent of that issue. But a new mayor with old ideas in now in charge.

Realistically, I have to say I  hope “No Mow May” is continued and encouraged. That could be a start.

Mary Hoffmann of Wausau

Editor’s note: Wausau Pilot & Review gladly publishes commentary from readers, residents and candidates for local offices. The views of readers and columnists are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot & Review. To submit, email [email protected] or mail to 500 N. Third St., Suite 208-8, Wausau, Wis. 54403.