WISCONSIN RAPIDS – City Times staff reached out to candidates for the 2020 mayoral elections to learn more about their views on the city and plans for office. Each candidate received the same questionnaire. These candidates will be on the April 7 spring ballot.

Shane Blaser

Blaser

What experience do you have in politics? How will this experience help you lead the city?

I have a lifetime of experience in politics. It started on the school playground, leadership positions in local Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops, and continued into Junior and Senior High School where I was elected to represent my class on Student Council.

That experience continued as an adult serving as a volunteer firefighter, a law enforcement officer, and a member in various clubs and organizations. I was appointed and subsequently elected to the position of City Clerk for 3 terms and then to a term as District 8 Alderman.

All of these experiences throughout my life have taught me mediating, negotiating, compromising, and problem-solving skills which will serve me as mayor.

What would be your primary goals if elected to office in April?  

My primary goals when elected are to promote a reasonable budget and responsible spending by controlling costs and ensuring the important needs in our community are understood and met. I will work to pay down outstanding debt instead of increasing borrowing.

My budgets will be priority-based that focuses on infrastructure investments in our community that address our aging streets. I will improve the current multi-year capital improvement plan that will include input from residents and elected officials.

How do you see public safety in Rapids? How could public safety be improved?

Our public safety professionals are passionate servants that do an outstanding job given the limitations they face every day. They are educated and work hard to meet the needs of the community. I’ve advocated for these departments.

 Through the budget process I’ve been a vocal supporter for the Police Department to make sure they have additional funding which allows them to conduct numerous operations to address public concern over drug issues. I’ve requested that the city research a solution to support locker and housing for both male and female employees at the existing fire stations. I will continue to support both departments to make sure they have the resources and manpower to maintain the high level of service.

Zach Vruwink

Vruwink

What experience do you have in politics? How will this experience help you lead the city? 

Growing up, I worked on various political campaigns. I served on the Downtown Cluster group and held roles in the Community Progress Initiative. As a young entrepreneur and member of our business community, I have seen how we must support our businesses and become a more business-friendly city.

In 2012, I chose to run for mayor because I saw an opportunity to bring renewed energy and enthusiasm to the many assets of our city and build on the accomplishments of the councils and mayors before me.

In my time as mayor, I’ve worked to market our city to investors and businesses, maintained a focus on supporting small businesses and job creation, and reinvested in infrastructure – streets, airport and wastewater to name a few – with support of previously untapped state and federal resources. I’ve prioritized transparent communication through monthly reports to the City Council, brought our public meetings to livestream on Facebook and regular news updates.

As president of the League of Municipalities Board of Directors, I’ve been a strong voice to the governor and legislature on neighborhood, railroad, and highway reinvestment issues, among many others, amplifying the voice of Wisconsin Rapids.

What would be your primary goals if elected to office in April? 

We must continue our efforts to move our city from a place of disinvestment to reinvestment. We’ve been through a lot and our confidence is growing.

We must continue to support public safety through continued investments in our police and fire departments. I’ve prioritized funding for drug detectives to allow the department to take on additional cases, helped secure more training resources, and have gotten behind reinvestments in our equipment to ensure our members and officers return to their families. It’s made a difference: Crime is down.

 Jobs and private investment have been and will remain a key focus. Our efforts to promote our city have been successful. Matalco, a new manufacturing company, has chosen us and is creating 80 jobs and investing $80 million. They cited the investments in quality of life as reasons supporting their decision. In 2019, we had $50 million in new construction permit activity — the most in Rapids in many years with 2020 prepared to be higher.

I will continue to prioritize new housing options, so we can retain our residents and attract new ones. In 2019, eight new single-family homes were constructed and 45 apartments came online. In 2020, an additional 65 apartments will open.

Promoting our area as a recreational and tourism destination.

How do you see public safety in Rapids? How could public safety be improved? 

Public safety is a top priority; it has to be if we’re going to remain a desirable city. Thankfully, we’re a safe city, and getting safer. The data shows it.

That doesn’t mean we don’t have problems, and areas to improve. One crime is too many. Like most cities, we are feeling the effects of the opioid epidemic, fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine, but our community is taking steps to fight back.

Philanthropy, health care providers and law enforcement have come together to open a behavioral health clinic. A multi-pronged task force has collaborated to reach more individuals. We’ve also added additional police and firefighters in recent years, improving our response. We’ve also modernized our equipment, taking delivery of a new fire engine in 2019 and committing to a fleet replacement schedule, to maximize value to taxpayers and safety. There’s more to do in this area, through effective partnerships and great ideas.