Mayor’s Column May 13th, 2023
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun,
This past week I had the pleasure of attending the National Day of Prayer event at the Waupun City Hall, throwing out a first pitch to open the Little League Season, and to attend Thrivent Waupun’s 10th anniversary. This weekend is the Just for Kix Spring Dance Show, and I am participating in the Father/Daughter dance show, so come out and see me bust a move! Or as Stephany Buwalda likes to yell, “The Mayor with the Moves.” Either way I’m not very good, but it’s a fun experience with the girls.
Tuesday will be my monthly visit to the Senior Center. This month I’ll be hosting a special presentation from Waupun Utilities about the new addition to the Wastewater Plant. When completed it will be the only wastewater plant of its kind at that size in the United States, located right here in Waupun! The plant upgrades will utilize a biological wastewater treatment solution that uses algae to consume overabundant nutrients to achieve ultra-low nutrient levels mandated by the Wisconsin DNR, especially removing PFAS from our wastewater, and ensure Waupun will have the cleanest wastewater discharge in America! This builds on Waupun’s long time record of being good stewards of our environment.
This past week was Drinking Water Week, and in Waupun that means more than most communities. We have the only reverse osmosis water plant in the state which provides Waupun the most delicious and healthiest water in America. I’ve been an advocate of promoting our delicious water. I’d like to be bottling and selling it across Wisconsin with the slogan “Wisconsin’s Most Delicious Water.” Soon we’ll have that slogan on the watertowers!
This past week was also Correctional Employees Week, National Teacher Appreciation Week, and Nurses Week. All three professions mean a lot to Waupun and I used my social media to highlight and thank all of them for the important work they do to keep Waupun a great little city!
The Memorial Day Parade will be on Memorial Day at 9am with ceremonies following at Shaler Park.
The railroad crossing at Main Street is still scheduled to be replaced the week of June 13, and hopefully we’ll have Trayton Greenfield as the ceremonial first driver to cross the new tracks!
The Recording Angel Rededication Ceremony is still looking for sponsors to help. We need to raise about $2,000 so if you’re willing to be a sponsor at any amount, please let us know.
ARPA funding negotiations are still ongoing. I do believe we’ll fix the roof at the safety building, and invest into child care expansion/retention. Other than that, I’m not sure where we’ll go. Honestly, I’d still love to invest into our youth sports, but I’m not sensing much support for that from the council, so unless people really put pressure on us to help youth sports, I wouldn’t expect much.
Finally, we stay tuned to discussions surrounding the state budget. I remain cautiously optimistic that we’ll be getting some much needed help from the state, and if not, we’ll just keep cutting. But, if we do, and the news has been positive, I’ll push hard to hire another Public Works person. Our public works department is overworked and way understaffed, especially with more streets and a new Senior/Community building coming. This is another “Stay Tuned!”
Thank you,
Mayor Rohn
