Dear editor,
As a candidate for the city of Wausau District 1 Common Council primary election on Feb. 15, I’d like to introduce myself:
Who I am:
I am an educator with the Wausau School District where I have been teaching middle and high school students for over 12 years. I have also taught U.S. government, psychology, and worked as a professional tutor at Northcentral Technical College (NTC). At UW-Stevens Point, I earned a bachelor’s degree in history and broadfield social studies and then a master’s degree in the science of reading from Mount St. Joseph University.
My experience:
For 17 years I worked in local law offices as a legal assistant, paralegal, and office manager before returning to school to pursue the field of education. In the interim between legal work and teaching, I assisted marginalized populations with employment, college, and career preparation as a case manager at the Job Center of Wisconsin-Marathon County. As an educational talent search coordinator, I helped prepare students at all alternative high schools in the NTC system for college and careers. Then, at ATTIC Correctional Services, I recruited mentors for and assisted formerly incarcerated individuals who were re-entering society.
I have also served this community through volunteer work with the United Way of Marathon County, Lutheran Social Services, St. Anne Parish, as an America Reads Program tutor, Certified Diversity Circles facilitator, history/culture and immigration consultant/lecturer, and editor and contributor for D.C. Everest School District oral history projects, particularly those involving the experiences of Hmong and Southeast Asian refugees.
At the state level, I have served as a Marquette University Center for Peacemaking advisory board member and consultant, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice board member, and professional facilitator for Peacemaking & Restorative Justice Circles for School and Community Settings.
Why I have chosen to run for District 1 Common Council:
As a lifelong resident of Marathon County and of the city of Wausau for the past 37 years, I am deeply rooted in this community. Passionate about civic engagement, I believe participation in local government is critical as it impacts us most directly. I am a committed member of our school governance board and have served as such for over eight years. I also spearheaded a project to help some of our high school students get trained and participate as poll workers in Wausau. I care deeply about our community and have acquired insights regarding some of the needs of Wausau’s residents through my experience in both the public and private sectors.
The values I will bring to my position as Council Member:
Thoughtfulness: I am a good listener and thoughtful decision-maker.
Collaboration: I have worked on teams throughout my professional career. As a teacher, I’ve worked with and am grateful to have learned from elementary to adult learners from a wide variety of backgrounds. I believe a healthy community requires the thoughts and considerations of all its members.
Integrity: I am proactive and show up to work with integrity, which means being honest and consistent in what I say and do: walking the walk. Honesty and a willingness to have the hard conversations can sometimes be difficult to do, but remaining rooted in a commitment to relationships makes it possible and builds community.
My goals for serving as District 1 Common Council member are to:
- Represent all residents of this district by learning more about your needs and bringing a balanced view in my role on City Council.
- Fulfill my position with honesty, integrity, and accountability.
- Engage residents, including youth, in local government and civic matters.
- Inspire and generate innovative ideas to promote the well-being and growth of this community.
- Ensure Wausau is a safe and healthy community where individuals and families will thrive.
Some issues I am particularly interested in:
Being new to City Council means I will have more to learn about strategic plans, current projects, and resident concerns. At present, some issues of particular interest to me include the following:
Employee shortage and public transportation: Most residents of this community are likely feeling the impact of the employee shortage, a situation made worse by the current COVID surge. In my role as an educator, I witness firsthand the impact of limited availability of public transportation for high school students. Lack of extended hours and routes is a tremendous barrier to employment for them as is the cost of driver’s training programs. However, the remedy of extending routes and hours of public transportation is not a simple solution given the differential between expense and demand. The solution cannot rest solely on the city of Wausau because many businesses needing employees are in the larger Wausau metro area.
Affordable Housing: As an educator, I’ve also seen the effects of an affordable housing shortage. To learn and to thrive, students need stability, safety, and consistency. The lack of affordable and safe housing places overwhelming burdens on families and creates ripple effects that impact students’ ability to learn.
New Beginnings for Refugees: The refugee experience is another passion of mine. I spent 10 years researching the experiences of Vietnam War and Secret War in Laos veterans and their families, the journey from Laos and Thailand to the U.S. and Wausau, the numerous barriers they faced, and their remarkable resilience in not only adjusting to, but becoming an essential part of this community and country. I am grateful to all from the Southeast Asian community in Wausau that graciously welcomed me and allowed me to learn. I am proud of and excited that we are welcoming new families to our community! As an educator and a resident, I look forward to expanding my world by learning from them!
I am thrilled for this opportunity to serve the community of Wausau and District 1!
Carol Lukens of Wausau
Wausau City Council District 1 Candidate
https://www.facebook.com/CarolLukensforCouncil
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.
