By Joe Bachman

With the April 4 elections right around the corner, the City Times spoke with candidate Thaddeus Kubisiak regarding his views on the community, and what he would bring to the table if elected as District 7 Alderperson. 

Background

A Wisconsin Rapids native, Kubisiak graduated from Lincoln High School and later grabbed a Bachelors Degree in Public Administration from Winona State University. He would later get is Masters Degree in the same field from the University of Oshkosh. He was a Journeyman Ironworker for Ironworkers Local 383, and soon became a village administrator in the Town of Spencer. He currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor for Mid-State Technical College.

How do you Want to see Jobs Brought to Wisconsin Rapids?

“What I want to do is work with more on a regional basis with other communities to make sure that we’re not cutting each other’s throats. Industry has been going downhill in Wisconsin and I think from 2008-2010 was the first time that manufacturing was not the number one industry in the state. Working for a government overtook manufacturing and since then manufacturing as all but gone down. Instead of trying to work against other communities around us, I want to try and partner with them so we get the best bang for our buck.”

Biggest Issue Facing Wisconsin Rapids?

“The paper industry is one of the most pressing concerns. The Whiting mill doesn’t exist anymore — the Port Edwards mill is gone. We rely heavily on the paper industry up and down the Wisconsin river, but I think one of the focuses that we want to work on is maintaining what we have. We want to make sure that we continue with small and local businesses and continue with the infrastructure necessary for them to continue to not just stay the course — but also to grow.”

Thoughts on Riverfront/Triangle/Aquatics Project?

“The city has been battling this [aquatics] for quite a long time, and I’m glad that we’re progressing with that and turning the corner provided that we have the funding available to do that. Depending on what we put in the triangle area, be it condos, houses or business development, regardless of what it is, I do feel better that is had cleaned up downtown a little bit. As far as the riverfront goes, I was kind of disappointed because there was little talk of the geese population by the river. It sounded like they would divert the geese to another location, and I scratched my head at that because the reason why geese are there is because people are there and feeding them.”

How to Continue Addressing Opiate Abuse in Wisconsin Rapids?

“What I would do in a leadership positions is hire the best people with that have experience with this on a daily basis, and let’s put them in a room and draw all the possible ideas and see what works and what doesn’t. I would not try to tell people what I think because I don’t know enough, and there are people working in the city of Wisconsin Rapids that have a lot more experience.”

What will Voters Get if You’re Elected?

“What I would like to do is not just be that strict magistrate — I do want to investigate, and I do want to know more. I’m not going to be talking with other magistrates behind closed doors. I want to serve in a positive way and get the people in the community involved. I want to utilize that elected office as for good, and utilizing whatever vested powers for that, because you work for the taxpayers and the city. If someone can use that leverage for positive reasons, I’m all for it, and that’s the kind of city councilman that I would be.”