The 2024-'26 Wausau City Council takes the oath of office. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Wausau Mayor Doug Diny says he will take some of the blame for the council’s lack of information regarding Police and Fire Commission Appointee Vylius Leskys, who was initially turned down for the position but received unanimous approval on Tuesday after a motion to reconsider.
Diny says Leskys was out of town when Diny approached him to serve on the commission, so Doug filled out the citizen participation form on his behalf. “I will take the hit on the fact that the document wasn’t completely filled out because I entered that for him. He doesn’t deserve the scrutiny that he got.”
Leskys’ appointment was denied 4-6 with little discussion during the Council’s October 23rd meeting. Alders Tom Neal, Terry Kilian, Chad Henke, and Becky McElhaney voted in favor. Immediately following the vote Diny called the decision “disappointing.”
McElhaney echoed Diny’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting, saying those who voted no should have gone on the record and asked for information instead of voting the matter down without discussion. “Instead of impugning somebody’s character, which is what happened, we could have tabled it and said ‘I need this, this, this, and this.’ [The issue] caused so much uproar in this community. We talk about what residents want [and the message I’m getting] is ‘stop it. Work together for the betterment of Wausau. I just want that to happen.
“I knew that the Mayor interviewed [him] and I knew that they [Police and Fire] Chiefs interviewed. Did anybody else ask? We just had a no vote,” added McElhaney. Her comments were met by a round of applause from residents taking in Tuesday’s meeting.
“After all the information we have been provided and especially hearing from Mr. Leskys I 100% support [him] for the Police and Fire Commission,” added Alder Vicki Tierney. “The application was very sparse to begin with. I appreciate that the application was more developed over time,” said Alder Sarah Watson.
Watson also noted that the initial application had Leskys listed as his own reference alongside others who didn’t live in the United States. After getting more information including local references, she said she felt better about voting in favor of him. “I really appreciate that we have more information and can make a more informed decision.”
Diny says he is working with City Clerk Kaitlyn Bernarde to update the citizen participation form to include more opportunities for candidates to present relevant experience and biographical information. “We will be creating a database. What I’d like to be able to do is promote it online and in the city newsletter so we get more people interested in signing up.
“We needed to fix that anyway. It’s a good tool, to gather a database and I hope we will get more people wanting to sign up [to serve on Commissions.]”
A handful of public comments were given in support of Leskys. He also addressed the council, saying he hasn’t been in Wausau long but felt welcomed and was looking for a way to use his experience to benefit the community.
Leskys fills the seat previously occupied by Wiliam Harris, who left town earlier this summer.
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