SHAWANO, WI- The Shawano Common Council has decided to move Council President Rhonda Strebel to Acting Mayor until April 0f 2021.
Shawano Mayor Ed Whealon announced that he is moving outside of the City of Shawano and is resigning by December 1 to allow for an election to take place in April of 2021 if that is what the city decides to do.
For now, the Common Council decided to follow the ordinance that is in place that allows for the Council President to take the place of the outgoing Mayor if the seat is left vacant before the end of the term.
“I thought about it and I am willing to step into that role if that is what the council decides,” said Strebel.
Community member Mark Bolin asked the council to consider naming Lisa Hoffman as Acting Mayor as another option.
“She is really active in the community and very respected and engaged with the public. I have heard a lot of feedback from people that they would like her for that position and I think that Lisa is the perfect person for the job.”
Hoffman told the council that she would like to be given the opportunity.
“I know I am running again next term and I love working with our staff and would like to expand my horizons a little.”
Seth Mailhan made the motion to name Hoffman as Acting Mayor, but the vote failed 4-2 with Rhonda Strebel, Sandy Steinke, Jeanne Cronce and John Hoeffs voting no. Mailhan and Hoffman voted yes.
“I think it should be our Council President that we put in that spot,” Hoeffs said. “I agree that Lisa would be great, but in this case, I just think it should be the Council President.”
The vote for Strebel to be named passed 5-1 with Mailhan casing the lone no vote.
Strebel would still be a voting member for her District 2 constituents and in the case of a tie vote on council, would be responsible for casting the tie-breaking vote as Mayor.
It was not confirmed that an election will for sure be held in April, 2021.
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