Incumbent Matt Zacher will face challenger Tom Mews for mayor of Wisconsin Rapids in the April 7 election.
Wisconsin Rapids mayors will now serve three-year terms after the Common Council voted in March 2024 to extend the duration of the mayor’s term an additional year from the previous two-year term. The city’s first mayor served a one-year term in 1900, and mayors served two-year terms since, according to the city website.
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The Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune asked each of the candidates to address important issues in the district and why they are running for the position.
Matt Zacher
Municipal residence: Wisconsin Rapids
Age: 55
Occupation and education: Mayor and small business owner. Master of social work and juvenile corrections.
Relevant experience: U.S. Army for 4 years (101st Airborne, Desert Storm), Chamber board for 6 years, nonprofit president for 10 years, and CEO for 20 years
Campaign website/Facebook page: Zacher for Mayor on Facebook
Tom Mews
Municipal residence: Wisconsin Rapids
Age: 49
Occupation and education: Retired. Business management and mechanical engineering.
Relevant experience: Team experience within production settings and sales.
Campaign website/Facebook page: Tom Mews on Facebook
Why are you running for office?
Zacher: To strengthen communication, support growth and keep Rapids moving forward.
Mews: I believe our community needs a problem solver with a renewed view on current circumstances and accountability for future growth. One of my first introductions would be to change the type of government we have from a weak to a strong mayoral system, including the adoption of term limits for every elected or appointed position.
What makes you the better candidate in this race?
Zacher: I listen well and build bridges that help people achieve their goals.
Mews: As a lifelong resident, I know the pros and cons of our community and what we are capable of. I will also be the public’s voice from the mayor’s seat. Something we haven’t experienced for some time. I have spent the last four years listening to our public and their concerns. We have identified our setbacks, and I wish to take those challenges head on.
What is the most pressing issue facing Wisconsin Rapids, and how would you address it?
Zacher: Our economic transition. Redevelop the mill and grow new business.
Mews: Cost of living and the amount of quality jobs have been among the top issues. Increasing taxes, housing and daily expenses have inflated above most household incomes. Throughout our community, things like road conditions, crime and the public’s wishes are being ignored. As your mayor, I would bring the voice of common sense and reason into our city functions.
What are residents telling you are their most important issues, and how would you address them?
Zacher: Communication, jobs and services. I listen and work with partners to deliver.
Mews: The most common issue has been about increased property taxes. The property assessments in our city have not been accurate to … condition, age, job market, description and proximity to area influences. As a former certified home inspector, I am aware of industry practices that are driven to increase values beyond actual values. With new area inspectors, I can be part of those discussions to find the most accurate property assessments.
How will you balance providing essential services with rising concerns of affordability and cost of living?
Zacher: Careful budgets and efficiency while protecting strong services.
Mews: We can start with accurate property assessments. Our city departments will also be directed to think from within to best benefit our community. Raising awareness to modern practices that benefit every tax dollar spent. Our citizens need to be a higher priority.
How will you work to support growth and development of housing and businesses in the city?
Zacher: Support entrepreneurs and redevelop mill buildings for new businesses.
Mews: To promote growth, we need to identify what our community offers and possible industry that we could attract. We can’t keep being a copycat community adopting the same practices neighboring communities already offer. We have resources nearby that could offer long-term stability in energy production and manufacturing. We have the ability to create additional tax districts to focus on attracting large scale manufacturing and improving our 8th Street corridor. Ultimately … these actions will require Council actions. As your mayor, I could present these ideas into discussion.
Erik Pfantz covers local government and education in central Wisconsin for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and values his background as a rural Wisconsinite. Contact him at epfantz@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Meet the 2 candidates vying for WI Rapids mayor in April 7 election
Reporting by Erik Pfantz, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune / Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune
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