The 2024-'26 Wausau City Council takes the oath of office. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The four outgoing Wausau City Council members were honored on Tuesday following their last full meeting.
Mayor Doug Diny presented plaques honoring the service of Aaron Griner, Chad Henke, Becky McElhaney, and Lisa Rasmussen, starting with Griner, who served just a few months after being appointed to the District 5 seat last summer following the death of Gary Gisselman. “Alder Griner hit the ground running,” said Diny. “He was always up here talking to staff, talking to [me,] talking to everyone he could to lear what it is like to be on Council.”
Griner lost his bid for a full term to Andrew Wiskowski, but said now that he’s gotten a feel for public service, he doesn’t think he will stay away long. “I don’t think I’ll be going away forever. I think I’ll be making a swing back at some point.”
Diny noted that Henke is stepping down to focus on his new family after he and his wife welcomed a new baby. Henke challenged the new Council to keep Wausau moving forward. “Keep investing in Wausau to keep it attractive and a fun city to live in.”
McElhaney and Rasmussen, the last two Council Presidents, leave after nearly 30 years of combined service. Diny said McElhaney was a resource for him when he started on the Council three years ago.
“[She gave me] a lot of help as I was getting started,” said Diny.
McElhaney says she didn’t expect to serve this long, but “when you get into it, there are other things that you want [to get] done. Overall, it has been a positive experience, and I want to thank the residents of District 6. It has been my utmost privilege to be your representative.”
Rasmussen leaves after 18 years, noting that her son was three when she was first elected. “He graduates from college in a couple of weeks. He probably cannot remember a time when City Council was not a part of our household.”
Diny added that Rasmussen left after multiple stints as Council President. She has also served on every standing committee during her tenure. After a round of applause, he jokingly told her to “take the rest of the week off,” before realizing that she still has to run next week’s Public Health and Safety Committee and Liquor License Review subcommittee meetings.
“Then it’s done,” said Rasmussen.
The new council will be sworn in next Tuesday, April 21st. That meeting will include the selection of a new Council President and the assignment of committees.
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