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.
Dear Editor,
I wholeheartedly endorse, support, am voting for and rooting for the re-election of Mayor Katie Rosenberg and I hope the other voters – my fellow neighbors and friends of Wausau will too!
The primary election for the Mayor of the City of Wausau is this coming Tuesday, February 20, 2024 and the spring general election is April 2, 2024.
We have all seen elections where voters are complacent or apathetic and have also seen what happens as a result. If you want good government, you have to elect good people. Elect public servants, people who actually care about you and our community. Elect people who show up, not just when it is convenient, not just when it is election time, not just for a photo op, but those who work hard for our community and show that they care about us every day. Mayor Katie has demonstrated her commitment time and time again. She has shown up for this community and we have to show up for her!
Mayor Katie has demonstrated strong leadership and has been dedicated to ensuring our community is successful and welcoming to everyone. She is a problem-solver, innovator, and changemaker.
When Katie was elected as Mayor, she had to get to work right away as she faced the enormous challenges and pressures that came as a result of a once in a lifetime pandemic that impacted jobs, housing, businesses, and our local economy. And at that time when we needed her the most, she was there for us. Mayor Katie sought critical funding and support to meet the needs of our community and not only helped to sustain our community, but also looked for ways to continue to build and invest in our community’s future.
She has also worked to improve our safety and quality of life here in Wausau, such as addressing environmental and water safety concerns. She has taken action to ensure the people of Wausau have access to safe drinking water and her innovative initiatives and advocacy for solutions to problems like water safety have earned her federal recognition. She has been named to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Local Government Advisory Committee and is co-chairing the Small Government Advisory Committee where she has advocated for a complete ban on PFAS.
She also has supported and advocated for funding for our first responders and ensured that the brave men and women that provide lifesaving services to the City of Wausau and who put their lives on the line for us like our firefighters and police officers have the equipment and upgraded facilities they need to do their job and protect and serve this community.
She has also advocated for affordable housing, transportation, support for the unhoused, support for victims of domestic violence, and support for our local businesses. And she wants to make sure we continue to grow our local economy and create a welcoming place that will retain and attract a nontraditional, next generation 21st century workforce.
And her ability to communicate with our youth and people from all different walks of life using a multitude of different platforms and social media shows that she values feedback and listens and embraces new and innovative ways to connect to our community.
Mayor Katie isn’t just an amazing public servant; she is an amazing human being. She is a person of high character, integrity, and who exhibits empathy and love in action. Perhaps one of Mayor Katie’s greatest qualities is her big heart. When you meet Katie, her joy and smile are infectious. Her trademark peace and love sign are emblematic and representative of who she is. And when you talk with Katie it is apparent how much she loves this community; and being Mayor isn’t just a job or title for her, she actually cares about the people here, she cares about you and me.
She values all of our citizens and believes that the diversity of our community is one of its greatest strengths. No matter your race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age under Mayor Katie Rosenberg you have a home here in Wausau, you are part of this community, and she makes us all feel seen and heard.
Over the last 4 years, as a result of Mayor Katie’s leadership and vision, we have grown and are a stronger and more welcoming and thriving community.
When we consider the candidates and who to vote for on Tuesday, we should remember that change shouldn’t be about putting a new face in the Mayor’s seat, real change is about progress; and this election is about the future of Wausau and it’s about selecting a leader who cares about us and that will move us forward. I have no doubt that Mayor Katie is the right choice and if re-elected, under her leadership we will continue to progress forward and build a more prosperous future for us all.
Thank you,
William A. Harris, Wausau
