Mayor’s Column January 7th, 2023
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun and Happy New Year,
As we begin 2023, I’m excited for what’s ahead! We begin 2023 with a new garbage company in hopes of improving service. We have patched up the railroad crossing; with a June 13th date to begin the total reconstruction. Ground was broken on United Co-Op’s $44 million project in our business park. We’re returning Waupun to being the “City of Sculpture,” and to reflect this change, we modified our new wayfinding signs and started displaying our city flag. We launched the Waupun Community Fund, and they used their first donation to pave the road at the entrance of Shaler Park/Forest Mound Cemetery.
I want to keep this momentum of success going through 2023. I’m hopeful to weave the sculptures and our branding throughout Waupun, with new “Welcome to Waupun” signs, decorative banners, murals, benches, and public art throughout Waupun, highlighting our sculptures.
Along with this, I have long-term goals of adding to our sculpture collection, probably with a sculpture of Clarence Shaler, and one of Hans Heg. I’d also like for Waupun to host a Native American themed art fair at Shaler Park.
I am still VERY committed to expanding child care for working families, including using a significant portion of our ARPA funding towards this goal. I want a two-prong approach. One, helping a current day care expand, and two, helping a second daycare provider get started, preferably in an empty building.
I’m also committed to using ARPA dollars to cover any cost overruns for our new Community/Senior Center and for youth sports. I recently read an article that explained people are choosing where to live based on quality-of-life offerings, and employers are following people. It’s important Waupun continues to have a high quality of life, and is a great place to live, work, and play!
I will continue to use my position as Mayor to advocate for and “lobby” on behalf of Waupun. As the legislature comes back into session, you will see me raising awareness to the struggles of smaller cities in the era of shrinking shared revenues. You will also be hearing me talk about MSP payments, which are payments the state agrees to pay Waupun because we offer services to the prisons. Many people aren’t aware that the state has been underfunding these payments by more than 60 percent for over a decade. Had the state just been paying what they’re supposed to, we’d be able to purchase the new fire truck we need.
If we’re able to get the funding formula corrected, I’ll be pushing to use the money for street maintenance and public safety. Why public safety? Well, our firefighters need safety upgrades because America is seeing an increased number of firefighters getting cancer. Over at the police department, we need more help in the area of helping people who are struggling with a mental health crisis. (I’ll write more about those issues moving forward.)
Despite some hurdles from the council, I am remaining committed to purchasing locally. The same week a local car dealer stepped up to sponsor Celebrate Waupun, the council voted 4-1 to buy a vehicle from out of town. That drives me nuts!
Anyway, a lot of positive things happened in 2022, and we’re using the positive attention to help promote Waupun, and we’ve put Waupun “on the map” as a great community that people want to visit, and move to!
Waupun is a great little city! We’re one of the safest cities in Wisconsin, we have the best drinking water, nicest people, a historic downtown, awesome parks, good schools, lots of youth sports options, and of course, our sculptures!
Happy New Year Waupun! And here’s to an exciting 2023
Thank you and God Bless,
Mayor Rohn
PS.
I am hosting two ARPA listening sessions:
· Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 7 pm – Waupun City Hall, 201 E Main Street, Council Chambers
· Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 1 pm – Waupun Senior Center, 301 E Main Street
