Dear editor,
Every person who sits in the mayor’s chair deserves to put their policy stamp on the office; with that comes the duty to run the day-to-day business of city hall and to represent all the people of Wausau with the dignity and decorum befitting the office. That is the torch that passes from one mayor to the next and has done so for over 150 years.
We are writing together today because we believe that torch has been dropped and needs to be picked up by another. Our concern is that the unprofessional and overtly partisan behavior of the current mayor is diminishing the office, and that needs to be reversed. The office of mayor is not a partisan one and Katie Rosenberg can’t be allowed to turn it into one.
There is a debate to be had about whether social activism is part of the mayor’s job. However, when the current mayor carried her fight for social causes to the pages of the New York Times, producing a national story that trashed Wausau as bigoted and backward, that crossed a line. Wausau is a a welcoming and opening place and it’s a great place to set down roots. We believe that mayors should not malign Wausau for their own political benefit.
Furthermore, the mayor has acted in a partisan and provocative manner, that is also well beneath the dignity of the office. We believe the job of mayor is non-partisan and should be conducted with decorum. Does she love Wausau or is she using the office to further her own career?
One of the great joys of being mayor was the ability to recognize deserving members of the community through the heartfelt presentation of a mayoral proclamation. Our current mayor tosses out proclamations like baby aspirin. She makes so many proclamations each month that there is no time for her to stand and read the declaration.
We understand that it is not our place to quibble over policy issues with one of our successors. We would not have appreciated that during our time in office. However, when the conduct of a mayor so fundamentally degrades the office itself, we feel the need to speak with one voice. Therefore, we endorse Doug Diny for mayor of Wausau.
Former Wausau mayors Robert Mielke, James Tipple, Linda Lawrence
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.
