By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A 19-year-old Lake Geneva native will fill a missing gap on the Whitewater Common Council amid the elected body’s final stage of transformation.
James Langness III was appointed to represent the city’s second aldermanic district at a council meeting May 5. Langness succeeds council member Stephanie Abbott, who was elected last month to represent constituents in the fifth aldermanic district.
Abbott’s relocation to the fifth district resulted in a vacancy on the remaining year of the second district seat, prompting the council to cast a net for applicants.
Langness, who officially moved to Whitewater last fall, was the only applicant.
Historically, the city’s second district council representatives have been University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students. Langness himself is majoring in finance at the university.
Although Langness was the only applicant, the council still held the power to accept or deny his request to pull up a seat at the table. After a brief question-and-answer session at last week’s meeting, incumbent members voted unanimously in favor of bringing Langness on board.
Langness has held roles in student government on UW-Whitewater’s senate and interned in the summer of 2013 with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Department.
“My overall goal is to make life better for others,” Langness said as he outlined his philosophy of public service. “I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to do something for my community — something that is bigger than myself.”
In his application letter to the city, Langness said he was inspired from a young age to dabble in public office. His father works in government, and Langness lived in Washington, D.C., during three of his formative years.
“To hold a seat in local government of where I live is something that intrigues me deeply,” Langness wrote in the letter. “The seat, I believe, is the best tool for me to make a difference in the community.”
In his application letter and during the in-person interview with the council, Langness did not shy away from his novice in municipal government. He also attempted to paint a positive portrait of his age.
When asked what he felt were some of the important issues in his district and the greater Whitewater community, Langness said, “I’m not going to pretend I know every issue. But I will do my best to understand the issues.”
In his letter, Langness laid out how his role in student government gave him a first-hand glimpse into drafting laws and crafting policies.
“I may not be the most experienced person, but I love to learn and am quick on my feet,” Langness said. “I am open-minded and always respect and listen to the opinions of others and use them to mold my own.”
With its transient population, the second district traditionally has lower voter-turnout numbers. But Langness indicated to his fellow council members he would take steps — including holding listening sessions — to engage constituents.
Langness joins a crop of newcomers on the council. Last month, newcomers Craig Stauffer (first aldermanic district) and Christopher Grady (third aldermanic district) were elected to office.
In addition to Abbott, veterans on the council include Lynn Binnie, Ken Kidd and Patrick Singer.
