Milavitz takes the reins of Shawano

New Mayor Bruce Milavitz was sworn into office April 20, along with incumbent Alderwoman Sandy Steinke and newly elected Aldermen Brad Keuschel and Kevin Barkow, to a full house at Shawano City Hall.

Milavitz will be leading the city for the next year, filling out the remainder of Ed Whealon’s term after Whealon relocated outside Shawano and had to resign, but he said he already sees some work that will need to be done in the next 12 months. One of those issues is providing adequate housing to bring more people here.

“What our focus, I believe, should be to relieve the tax burden by increasing taxable properties,” Milavitz said. “How we’re going to do this, hopefully, is with all these housing developments going on. We just need to promote the fact that Shawano’s got this opportunity. By doing that, it’s going to relieve the current tax burden.”

There is also the issue of bringing new businesses into town, according to Milavitz.

“Also, encouraging businesses to expand with the fact that we’re here to support that to happen,” he said.

Milavitz took the opportunity during the meeting to extend his gratitude to Council President Rhonda Strebel, who has been acting mayor since December.

“There wasn’t a lot of negative comments, for sure, that you would normally hear,” Milavitz said.

He also gave appreciation to the community for electing him to office and said he was proud to lead the city in the future.

“I’m looking forward for some exciting times moving forward for the city,” Milavitz said. “I’m thankful to the community for allowing me to represent our community, our city, our administration and I’m looking forward to working with this council.”

The council reorganized which alderpeople would serve on which committees, along with approving citizen appointments and reappointments to those committees. Milavitz signed off on a proclamation for Arbor Day, and the council approved the closing of the Wolf River for an event in September, as well as a liquor license for the Shawano Lakers Baseball program.

lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com