NEWS BLOG (WSAU) Some leaders have vision. Others make decisions as circumstances come along. Most people fall into the second category.

Ronald Reagan had a vision of our nation – smaller government, lower taxes, more individual freedom. Barack Obama also fits into the first category. Many people may disagree with his vision of America, with a larger more activist government that provides more services and entitlements, but it is a vision nonetheless.

People of vision will have strong supporters and strong opponents. There’s less middle ground.

Jim Rosenberg, the soon-to-resign member of the Wausau City Council, is a person of vision. And he’s been remarkably successful in shaping parts of Wausau. Rosenberg has always worked closely on development projects in the city. Much of the recent development in downtown Wausau had his support. The farmer’s market downtown exists today because of Rosenberg’s backing. His vision is for a city where government steers and helps cultivate what gets built and where. It’s a city that provides more services… and probably has needs more money to keep running. Rosenberg’s great counter-weight in city government was Deb Hadley, who was fiscally conservative and was willing to propose and vote for difficult cuts. She has also passed from the city council scene.

No one knows what the future holds for Jim Rosenberg. His job at the Lieutenant Governor’s office will end in January when the Doyle Administration leaves Madison. Many people thought Rosenberg would be mayor someday. He may still be.

Agree or disagree with their views, it’s always interesting to see leaders of vision. Jim Rosenberg made more progress than most.

Chris Conley
Operations Manager, Midwest Communications-Wausau
7.8.10

Read Jim Rosenberg's resignation announcement here: http://tinyurl.com/3528mkw