Procedure for selection of new city alderperson finalized

The Rhinelander Common Council has finalized a questionnaire that must be completed by anyone interested in filling the vacant District 4 aldermanic seat. Potential candidates have until noon on March 1 to complete and return the questionnaire which is available on the city website — https://www.rhinelanderwi.us/departments/city_clerk/district_4_vacancy.php.

The completed questionnaires will then be published on the city website and sent to all of the current common council members for their review ahead of the panel’s March 11 meeting where an appointment will be made.

Prospective candidates are also reminded that they must confirm they live in District 4. A map of all of the city’s aldermanic districts is available on the city website or contact the clerk’s office at 715-365-8600.

The seat was vacated in late January following the resignation of longtime alderman Tom Kelly, who passed away just a few days later on Feb. 1. 

The council’s Feb. 12 meeting included a moment of silence in Kelly’s memory followed later by a discussion on the procedure for filling the open seat. The first step involved reviewing a list of questions to be answered by the candidates prior to the meeting.

City administrator Patrick Reagan compiled the list based on suggestions from the current alderpersons.

No member of the body expressed any concerns about the questions but there was some discussion as to how quickly the completed questionnaires should be returned and how to ensure an orderly meeting on March 11.

Based on the number of applicants for the position, the council expects to conduct round(s) of voting to narrow the field, and by majority vote, pick an applicant to serve the remainder of Kelly’s term which does not expire until April 2026.

The prospective candidates are required to attend the March 11 meeting and are welcome to give a 3–4 minute speech, introducing themselves and advocate to the council as to why they should be appointed to the position prior to the vote, the council decided.

The alderpersons discussed the idea of holding a question-and-answer session with the candidates but concerns were raised that such a session could turn into a free-for-all.

Ultimately, the idea of short speeches was deemed to be a better option as it will allow the constituents of District 4 an opportunity to learn more about the candidates. The council members also repeatedly noted that they see their job as selecting an ethical person to fill the seat until it’s once again before the voters.

“If they were campaigning they would have time to tell their constituents all these things that are in this questionnaire and so were just standing in for the constituents...” noted council president Eileen Daniel. 

Members of the public can offer input during public comment, or they may contact their elected representative ahead of time, but city attorney Steve Sorenson reminded the alderpersons not to discuss their voting plans before the meeting.

“I’m going to warn you, don’t discuss how you’re going to vote or who you’re going to vote for,” he said. “You can listen to people but you’re going to make that decision here that night. You can’t make that decision outside of this meeting.”

Whichever candidate emerges from the voting process will be sworn in immediately and join the council for the remainder of the evening’s business.