Where Does Wausau Go?
What an amazing year 2007 was. It’s brought about a a lot of change in our community, and in some ways, I myself will never be the same.
A few months ago, I was walking into my friend Forest Young’s drugstore to pick up a prescription. As I entered, I was quickly asked to leave and not touch anything. Why? Was I a loitering miscreant? No, not this time. It was because the ladies behind the counter had just been accosted by a gun-wielding burglar.
You can imagine how my paradigm of “safety” had just gone out the window. This was the second time in a month, and now it’s happening with even more frequency, again this week in fact in nearby Schofield. Jeff Hardel & company have got their work cut out for them.
So CRIME has become a looming reality, for some more real than others.
Also, 2007 was a time of growth. Many new developments came together, big buildings, some small ones, but all in all, our city “looks” like it’s growing. But here lies one of my concerns - where is the new business we’d like to see coming in?
I have met a number of folks from the new Wausau Business Development Center in the Westside Industrial Park. There’s really some cool stuff happening there - military-grade airless tires, high-efficiency solar paneling, and giant Tinker Toys, well sorta like that. The point is, cool stuff is happening, and congrats to Wausau Community & Economic Development for spearheading the whole operation. These are highly inventive start-ups and while this is exactly the kind of stuff we want to happen here, it’ll take some time for them to get to the point where sizable job creation occurs. We need more of that. It’s good. It’s smart.
Polywood Fabrication also broke ground for a huge new manufacturing facility - that’s new jobs. The Marshfield Clinic is going to create dozens of new positions for doctors in Wausau - that’s also new jobs for support staff.
But, given all this, I still have a nagging concern: how will Wausau define itself in this new year and coming years? Wausau Insurance, which embodied the character (brand) of our community at a national level decades ago, is now owned by a Boston-based company and has lost much of its former glory. Wausau Paper is closing plants. Fiskars outsourced 300 jobs to China. Business is changing, and in some cases, leaving.
On the other hand, Aspirus is now the town’s leading employer; Kolbe & Kolbe thrives as well, and Greenheck stands as a global leader in their industry. This is one of the good things about our area’s diversified economy and workforce; we are blessed with many medical professionals and a whole lot of skilled labor. But ultimately, I don’t know if these companies or industries alone can push us forward. Not like Wausau needs to be pushed. I’d like to illustrate my point by going on a little history tour:
Yawkey, McIndoe, Stewart and Alexander – these familiar names in modern Wausau (museum, streets, foundation) come from pivotal individuals associated with the lumber companies from the city’s past. In the early part of the 20th century, collaboration by these and other business leaders helped transform Wausau from a wilderness crossroads to a center of diversified industry.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a series of families moved to Wausau from primarily the East Coast of the U.S. to establish lumber companies in mills along the banks of the Wisconsin River flowing through downtown Wausau with lumber supplied from forests in the Northwoods. These lumber barons were very successful and their business savvy and civic skills helped them realize that their combined success placed in jeopardy the nearby forests supplying their mills. These men were competitive but also collegial and entrepreneurial — they began to work closely together to develop various start-up businesses to compensate for the eventual demise of the nearby lumber supply. They pooled their talents and knowledge to diversify and create new enterprises to grow and nurture a city that they loved and a place that they called home.
Their collective power and vision lifted the city from the decline in the logging industry through diversification into banking, insurance, machinery, wood products, retail and paper-making, all while bringing the needed infrastructure, such as electrical power, street cars … and culture … to make Wausau a vital and functioning city. Many of the individuals leading the change formed an informal work coalition called the Wausau Group. Its members held varied roles and their involvement energized the city’s growth, spanning multiple decades providing the framework where in the 21st Century, Wausau is the regional hub for industry, commerce, shopping and culture.
Key individuals in the Wausau Group included: Cyrus Yawkey, John F. Ross, Walter Alexander, D. C. Everest, Judd S. Alexander, Neal Brown, Walter McIndoe, Jacob Mortensen, C. C. Barker, Fowler Stone, William Mason and A. P. Woodson. The enterprises that they created included: Wausau Insurance, Wausau Paper, Marathon Paper Mills (later Weyerhaeuser,) Masonite wood-composite siding, Stone Lumber Supply (formerly Mortenson and Stone) and Marathon Electric.
- research by Kevin Korpela
Wausau has a long history of entrepreneurial energy, civic-mindedness, and collaborative approach that I believe needs to be re-ignited. I see a bright future for Wausau, and it’s going to take some people with huge vision to take us there. It is time for us to realize that we are no longer a small town, but in fact a diverse and capable city.
We are again at a crossroads - where the industry of the last century cannot be relied upon to take us to the same places in this century. The world is changing, and so we must change with it. I’d venture to say that technology is the single most effective catalyst to changing the economic horizon for Wausau. We have innovative companies here already doing really cool stuff, so we could and should capitalize on that - but even more important, we need to invest in future start-ups, Web application builders and technical education. There is an opportunity here to lead the way in our state. Madison may have the bio-tech industry activity, but we could find other areas to excel.
And so, I suggest, let’s reform the Wausau Group, or at least revisit their vision. Create not just a board of Yawkeys, McIndoes, Stewarts and Alexanders, but key creative thinkers, technologists, strategic planners and then market the snot out of our resources. Build a new Brand for Wausau.
2008 promises to be a huge transitional year; new civic leader contests, new congressional run-ups - more than politics, there are economic factors: volatile housing market, inflation, an unpredictable stock market, and global pressures.
Would it be to our advantage to “sell” Wausau on the merits of a better quality of life, moderate cost of living and a more stable real estate market? I’d say yes.
Could we attract new business and develop specific districts to contain them? Yes, there’s the region immediately north of downtown that is suffering from blight and completely in need of Urban Renewal.
Should we take advantage of some of our own community initiatives to build low-cost, high-efficiency buildings based in sustainability and conservation concepts? Why not? In fact, most assuredly.
I say, let’s set the new standards. Go for growth. Attract high-tech and skilled labor, and retain our graduating youth.
But it all starts somewhere with someone.
We have a new Mayoral election coming up - one that I think will be very competitive. And it couldn’t come at a more defining moment in our history. While it’s still too early to make a decision, I will say this to whomever carries the reins - it’s time for Wausau to fundamentally change its ways.
No more closed door sessions. No more cat fights and snide remarks. We the people are looking for sharing, user participation, openness, collaboration and inspiration. Whoever you may be:
- do not hide in your office and let the world pass us by,
- be with the people,
- take pride in and promote the image and brand of our great city,
- invest in good ideas, even if they don’t seem great,
- be willing to take some risks,
- hire consultants if you need them,
- find the innovators and put them on your boards,
- hire a public relations or marketing person who will craft and communicate the city’s messages.
We can help you, but you must be willing and open.
If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative.
Woody Allen
erik said:
Posting a WAOW story, Marcus? I don’t think I can read another post by you again.
Kidding, kidding :P Nice retrospective. I still say the crime wave was the biggest story of 2007 for the Wausau area, even if Daily Herald readers voted the closing of the McCleary Bridge.
January 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm #
Marcus Nelson said:
I’m sorry Eric… I’m pretty sure the gist of the post had less to do with WAOW or crime — maybe it’s saying something else.
Please reread the entire post and let me know if you see what I’m talking about. Thank you.
January 4th, 2008 at 6:11 pm #
Boogenstein said:
Living in the blighted area to the North of Downtown I thought it worth commenting. There are some great people here who take care of their homes and wish that this neighborhood would improve. Unfortunately a large number of properties are low end rentals, owned by people with no interest other than money. While some of the renters are decent enough, there are many who live on the wrong side of the law, mostly with regards to drugs, as far as I can see. This population is transient so I have never had much opportunity to get to know them. From brief conversations, some are forced to come here by probation officers, trying to keep them away from their former partners in crime.
What is the answer? It would be nice if these buildings could be bought, renovated and put on the market for real home owners. Prices in this area are dropping and there is no incentive for prospective buyers. Rumors abound about City plans to make the whole area in to a commercial zone. Why invest in what might end up a Jiffy Lube parking lot?
The Police seem to do their best to keep away, far easier to go after traffic offenders on Grand Ave! The only time that the area has had any attention was when the arsonist was active. We couldn’t move for cops and guess what - the crack houses were shut down and a short period of peace followed. A few years back their were gunshots on 3rd. I have talked to local who saw what happened and told the Police. The final incident report put it down to kids with firecrackers!
Sure, much of the neglect is due to the landlords and their renters, but it is also due to a City with shuttered blinds and secretive plans. They tried to do something a few years back by forcing owners to clean up but it was only the normal home owners who suffered. The “Slum-Lords” could easily afford to slap on some paint and have derelict vehicles removed. it isn’t quite so easy when you are burdened with huge medical fees, etc. More recently some buildings have been demolished but this has done nothing to help. Action is needed here but not against the law abiding home owners, some of whom have been here their whole lives. They need to strike at the causes. They can ignore it but it won’t go away.
House prices drop. Home owners wishing to move are unable because of problems selling and the higher house prices of other areas.
One can’t help but wonder if those rumors might be true? Is the City just waiting for things to deteriorate further so that their compulsory purchasing will be cheaper? If so the victims won’t be the druggies or their landlords. It will be the regular home owners who lose what could have been a lovely neighborhood and every penny they put in to their homes.
Wake up Wausau! Your plans for a River District and economical growth will need a workforce but you are busily trying to drive out your best commodity of all - the people!
January 4th, 2008 at 6:38 pm #
Boogenstein said:
Other than that, nice article Marcus!
January 4th, 2008 at 6:39 pm #
Barry Liss said:
Days
Daughters of Time, the hypocritic Days,
Muffled and dumb like barefoot dervishes,
And marching single in an endless file,
Bring diadems and fagots in their hands.
To each they offer gifts after his will,
Bread, kingdoms, stars, and sky that holds them all.
I, in my pleached garden, watched the pomp,
Forgot my morning wishes, hastily
Took a few herbs and apples, and the Day
Turned and departed silent. I, too late,
Under her solemn fillet saw the scorn.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
January 5th, 2008 at 6:33 am #
Marcus Nelson said:
Boogenstein - Thank you so much for taking the time to put together such a relevant & practical example for this discussion. Hopefully this post will be read by decision makers who will think long and hard about the future of our city and our neighborhoods.
January 6th, 2008 at 10:44 pm #
What’s New, Marcus? • Accelerate Wisconsin - Venture Capital said:
[…] that after my last post on CW, I should stumble across this little […]
January 9th, 2008 at 8:02 am #
Removed by Publisher said:
[Removed by Publisher]
January 10th, 2008 at 8:18 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Wow…those are some pretty strong statements, Alderperson Abitz…”closed meetings”….”underhanded plans”…”city hall like a little mafia”. If those statements are FACT, I believe you owe it to the citizens and your constituants to be specific….can you tell us specifically what meetings are closed to the public?…what those underhanded plans are?…and mafia???…are we talking cement overshoes in the river????…I’d be interested in hearing specifics on that analogy. If you are certain of these wrong-doings, please share your facts…for without facts to back-up those statements, they are just accusatory words.
January 10th, 2008 at 9:12 pm #
Jim Rosenberg said:
I’m very interested in these accusations of unethical and illegal behavior, too.
January 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm #
Jim Rosenberg said:
It’s awfully difficult for people to make a judgement about any of that after the post has been removed and replaced with a selective characterization of it. (I never knew what closed meetings you were talking about in your piece either, Marcus.)
January 10th, 2008 at 10:41 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Marcus: please don’t misunderstand…I didn’t accuse anyone of “making accusations”…I pointed out that when someone makes reference to “closed meetings”, “underhanded plans”, and “like a little mafia”, without facts to back it up, it’s just unsubstantiated/heresay/accusational. If it’s true, as a citizen of Wausau, I want to know about the facts concerning those issues. But let’s face it, a writer can put words down on paper (or in this case, computer screen) and people tend to believe what they read, whether there is truth to the words or not. That is why, when “closed meetings” is written, I’d like specific examples to back up that statement to give me a basis for belief that it’s true, not imagined. If underhanded dealings are going on, and my Alderperson knows about them, instead of generalizations, I expect the hard facts to back up the statement. If, in fact, Alderperson Abitz, or yourself for that matter, as you did say “no more closed door sessions” in your writing, are certain that those activities are going on in our city government, and if one is truly a Wausau advocate and cares about the integrety and future of Wausau, shouldn’t that person share their knowledge?…especially when they put that notion out there to begin with?….otherwise it’s like saying, “I know some dirty little secrets about your government, and I’ll tell you it’s dirty, but I’m not going to tell you what it is…”
I’m in no way saying that Alderperson Abitz isn’t speaking from her heart…but I’d like the full story so that I, as one of her constituants, by the way, can judge my government’s actions for myself, and not blindly accept vague comments.
So, anybody that has knowledge (specific, factual knowledge) of closed door meetings and underhanded dealings…please…inform us. (The mafia thing…I’m gonna just assume that was in the humor catagory.)
January 10th, 2008 at 11:00 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Wait a minute, wait a minute….where did that post go???
January 10th, 2008 at 11:04 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Ahhh….was I just involved in a closed door meeting?…with no evidence of the topic in sight….
January 10th, 2008 at 11:17 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Everyone,
My name is Dino. A mistake was made. We shall rectify it tomorrow.
I apologize.
I understand the severity of said mistake, and ask for patience while we handle this.
Thank you.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:24 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Dang…and just when I was on a roll.
No need to apologize, Dino…mistakes happen.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:27 pm #
anonemoose said:
So where are we with this thread?
moose
January 12th, 2008 at 10:33 am #
sparkler said:
So, what happened to this post by Alderman Abitz? It sounds like it mentions some pretty serious issues that could be going on. Don’t we need to shed some light and expose any issues in order to better the city? If in fact, there is nothing to hide, then there should be no qualms about opening up the subject. Why would the post just disappear? Was it untrue? Or is it the truth that is being hidden?
And what is this “mistake” that Dino is talking about? Apparently it was severe and must have been rectified, although no further postings regarding it have been made.
As a Wausau citizen, I would like to have a say in my city government and have a clear understanding of who I want to support and why. How can I do that when there are rumors or allegations flying around about secret/closed meetings and unethical or possibly illegal actions by elected city officials??
January 14th, 2008 at 9:25 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
It’s been a few days since the last discussion and/or feedback on this thread….the last by moose asking where we are…and I’m wondering the same myself. Just so anyone new to this post can keep up, I feel compelled to bring it up to date with an explanation of occurances, to the best of my knowledge.
As I read Marcus’ original post regarding “Where Does Wausau Go”…and a good post, by the way, Marcus…I read a post or a letter or an email by Councilperson Sherry Abitz that contained some remarks that caused me to become concerned regarding the integrity of my city government, as you will read in my above comments. Then suddenly, “poof”, her words were gone, along with a a related post by Marcus. Then Dino posted that a mistake was made & it would be corrected. My understanding of this is that Alderperson Abitz needs to give her permission to have that email she sent in put on this thread, and that request has been made of her, but I’m assuming that she has either denied the request or has yet to respond. I would be interested to know which is the case.
To have real discussion on the issues that Alderperson Abitz alluded to is of paramount importance!!!! If she has not responded with her consent to have her words posted, please step up the efforts to shed some light on these issues. If she has respoded and refused to allow the post, please let us know that also, and then it will be up to us, the citizens, to question why she she would choose to with-hold what she has written as a representative of the council.
I’m just asking for that which we all want…open and above-board communication and information….and answers….factual answers.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:33 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
It is not Alderperson Abitz responsibility to give us permission.
We just need a little time. Thank you. No real conspiracy afoot.
Again, this is a publisher decision.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:51 pm #
oldwoodchair said:
Dino….I’m old as dirt…I don’t have a lot of time.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:08 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
Ahh. The old dirt demographic. I see how you roll.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:17 pm #