Mayor’s Column February 4th, 2023
Rohn Bishop, Mayor of Waupun
Hello Waupun!
This week the council held its first workshop session about how to best use the ARPA funding that Waupun has. We had a good discussion, and we have a long list that totals more than $20 million. We won’t be able to do everything on our wish list, all of which are important to Waupun, but I remain hopeful that we’re still able to allocate most of the funds to three areas.
Senior/Community Center cost overruns
Youth Sports
Childcare expansion
Why those three?
Well, the new senior/community center is a once in a lifetime opportunity to offer Waupun a place for people of all ages! A senior center at day, open to the community in the evenings, and home to REACH Waupun and the Food Pantry, this building can serve residents of all ages for decades to come. I feel strongly it’s important to do it right.
Youth sports not only offer a better quality of life for Waupun’s families, but they give Waupun an economic boost, too. The sports give the kiddos something to do, help keep the kids active and fit, and they keep kids out of trouble. Many sports, like baseball, softball, and hockey host tournaments. Those tournaments bring hundreds of people to Waupun several weekends throughout the year. Those people stay in our hotels, pay our room tax, eat at our restaurants, visit our small businesses, and hopefully enjoy Waupun’s natural beauty, all while spending money here!
Childcare expansion is important because too many working families are struggling to find quality childcare. This is a problem affecting both families who want to work, and employers looking for help. Waupun needs more childcare options so that parents can go to work.
I don’t know where we’re going to end up investing these funds, and there will be give and take between alderpersons, myself, staff, etc, but I am proud that as a governing body, we have been very open and transparent throughout this entire process. Everyone has had an opportunity to speak, to express their opinions and desires, and I know we’ll all keep working to do the most good, for the most people with these funds.
In other news, February 11 will be the REACH Waupun Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser that is taking place at Jud’s. This week I stopped in at REACH Waupun and learned about all the cool ways they help kids! REACH is in need of a few more mentors to help, and if you’re nervous, I want you to know they’re not “naughty” kids. In most cases, they’re kiddos who had a parent pass away, or a parent deployed, and just need a positive grown-up role model in their life. Being a mentor can be done in as little as four hours per month. Four hours a month and you can help a kid that will last a lifetime! For more information contact Jayne at 920-219-0895
Mark your calendars, the big Waupun City Wide Rummage Sale will be held on Saturday May, 13th. I know this is a huge event in Waupun and a lot of people partake, so mark your calendars now!
Thank you and God Bless,
Mayor Rohn
