WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAU) — The Wausau City Council has selected it’s new Council President. On the second ballot, council members chose 11th District Alderman Robert Mielke to succeed Romey Wagner, who resigned the leadership post earlier this month.
On the first ballot, Mielke had 5 votes, Lisa Rasmussen had 3 votes, and Keene Winters had 2 votes. With no clear majority, Winters was dropped from the nominations, and the second ballot was 6-4 in Mielke’s favor.
Mielke says he was surprised by the selection. “I’m extremely humbled to say the least. This is not something I was lobbying for or seeking out, but I’m very honored that my colleagues thought that highly of me. I really am.”
The new President says this council doesn’t always agree on issues, but there isn’t the level of dislike or disrespect among members he’s seen reported in the media. “It’s a good group of people. I think we generally like and do respect one another. You know, you’re always going to have disagreements and stuff like that, but for the most part, we can make it work. Just think positively and make it effective.”
Mielke did make reporters and colleagues laugh when asked about who he supported for President. “For the record, I didn’t vote for myself.”
Even without his own vote, six out of nine others backed him. Alderman David Nutting was absent.
Mielke didn’t have much to say when selected. His only comment after taking over the Presidency was, “Let’s make this work. we can do it.”
