By Taylor J. Hale

Staff Writer

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – City Times staff reached out to candidates in contested races for the 2020 city council elections. Below are their responses.

In-person voting in Wisconsin Rapids is slated for April 7 at the Centralia Center and the Crossview Church. For more information, visit: https://www.wirapids.org/election–voter-information.html.

District 2

Dean Veneman

Veneman

What experience do you have in politics:

While I have no experience in government as this is my first time seeking a public office, I do have extensive experience in leading civic organizations. I’m the Immediate past president of The Wisconsin Rapids Sunrise Rotary Club and current member of its Board of Directors. Under my leadership, I directed a team of Rotarians to secure a $10,000 grant to build the Outdoor Classroom/Gathering Area at the Community Outdoor Learning Center at Mead School.

I co-founded and am vice- president/secretary of Sustainable Operations And Recycling (SOAR), a 501(c)3 non- profit organization designed to educate citizens about manufacturing new products made from locally sourced recycled materials.

Other community leadership experience included serving as president of The Recovery Foundation a non-profit organization based in Dane County that provides scholarships for treatment programs for young people with drug and alcohol problems. Along those same lines, I co-founded and served as president of The Foundation for Dane County Transition School, a charitable organization to help fund a charter school for at risk students.

What would be your primary goals if elected:

Forge partnerships and collaborate with law enforcement, healthcare providers, and social workers to help battle the opioid and methamphetamine epidemic.  Support policies and projects that attract young families to the area as well as retain those already here. Capitalize on new economic opportunities provided by projects, such as the YMCA/Boys & Girls Club, ND Paper Expansion, Matalco, Downtown Revitalization, and The Aquatic Center

How do you see public safety in Wisconsin Rapids:

Considering the limited resources we currently have, law enforcement does an excellent job. That being said, with the opioid crisis along with the continued growth of methamphetamine addiction our safety, particularly for our children is in serious jeopardy.

Vernon Verjinsky

Vernon Verjinsky did not respond to the City Times candidate questionnaire. All candidates were directly contacted by City Times staff via phone and/or email.

District 6   

Dennis Polach

What experience do you have in politics:

I was a city alderman for a number of years, and now am a Wood County Board supervisor. I have served on a number of committees over the years and have been chairman of many of these committees. I have also served on the finance committees of both the city of Wisconsin Rapids and Wood County. I have both the knowledge and contacts to help anyone with their questions or concerns.

What would be your primary goals if elected:

My primary goals would be to have a responsible budget and to seek ways to fund public works projects at a lower cost to the citizens. To do this, I would spend time with the mayor, finance director and the department directors to discuss their budget.

How do you see public safety in Rapids:

The city has an exceptional well-trained police, fire departments, and ambulance service. The police department also has a K-9 program. K-9 Lex, a German Shepherd, has worked with Sergeant Dean Fleisner since 2016. Their budgets should have money in it for training and equipment, such as body cameras for the police department.

Jake Cattanach

Jake Cattanach did not respond to the City Times candidate questionnaire. All candidates were directly contacted by City Times staff via phone and/or email.