Making stevens point the best community we can

We've been part of the Green Tier Legacy Communities program since it started. We've been actively working to reduce our costs, specifically on energy consumption. Something as simple as energy saving hinges for overhead doors or motion LED lighting has reduced our utility costs. We've installed GPS units on many of our work vehicles to ensure routes are as efficient as we can make them. We added 380 solar modules to our new utility shed that uses effluent water from our wastewater facility to heat and cool the building and produce 130Kw of power.  We've even made it easy for residential solar installations by streamlining our permitting process and negotiating solar "bulk buy" rates.

Our custom built brine machine has reduced our use of road salt by nearly 40% each winter. In addition to our city yard waste drop-off, we helped get the first residential composting program in the city. Our our yard waste goes to farmers to create compost for local produce that is sold at the Farmer's Market. Each ton of waste diverted from landfills is a direct cost savings to our taxpayers.

Since taking office in 2015, we've experienced above average growth and even set records! We've helped create jobs through expansion of existing companies like Sentry, Gamber-Johnson, Ki Mobility, Aspirus, Delta Dental, and Lineage Logistic. We've also been able to help create new businesses like District 1 Brewing, Siren Shrub, and the upcoming Opera House project. Housing is always a challenge to meet everyone's needs, but we've created new apartments, duplexes, single family homes, and even have begun work on small/tiny home projects.

We've nurtured  creativity in a variety of ways to match the wonderful variety of people in our community. We have a City Band, a Symphony Orchestra, four or five theater groups, more live music options than ever before with Levitt Amp, Notes at Night, summer bands at Guu's on Main, Rookies, and P.J.s.  Art is everywhere! Our Trash CANvas project,  murals, and paint the plow are a few. Heck, we've even put art on our recycling trucks! We've installed a public piano, artistic lights on the riverfront, added public improve shows, craft and painting classes in our parks and businesses, and we're not stopping there. Wait till you see what 2023 has in store.

Our community is made up of people from all walks of life. We strive to ensure Stevens Point is a welcoming and safe place to be yourself. I've worked with groups to help share their diversity with our community. We have a PRIDE crosswalk and the largest PRIDE festival in the area. We actively participate in Juneteenth. We support different cultures, religions, and lifestyles. Our Cultural Commons shares sister and partner city experiences and pays tribute to the indigenous people who's land we now occupy. We support our veterans and currently serving armed forces members, our ethnic heritages, and work hard to make sure everyone has a place to shine!

Each of our differences give others the opportunity to learn. By learning about each other, we begin to understand each other, and understanding is critical to a welcoming, healthy, vibrant community.

I believe that public spaces are critical to our quality of life. I've committed to the goal of no one in our community having more than a 10 minute walk to a park. I'm proud to say we are about 92% completed. We've added Emerson Park, John Groholski Park, Admiral Grant Park and extended the public space in Bukolt with out partnership with the North Central Conservancy Trust. 

We've partnered with other users to restore areas of natural shoreline, create pollinator gardens and expanded our community garden program. Safe places for all to play, relax and enjoy nature is a commitment I will never waiver on.