Outgoing alderman honored for his service to the city
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Whitewater Alderman Jim Olsen will be relinquishing his First District seat Saturday. The venerable member of the Common Council made his formal announcement at a meeting last week.
Without going into great detail, Olsen said he is moving outside Whitewater for a variety of personal reasons. He expressed deep gratitude for the time he has served as an elected official.
The decision to leave Whitewater and the council, he said, came “with a sad heart.”
Olsen served on the Whitewater Common Council from 1996-2002 and again from 2009-13. In recognition of his service, City Manager Cameron Clapper presented him with a plaque for his service to the community.
Olsen’s imminent departure leaves a vacancy on the council. His seat expires in 2015, and state statutes require an election be held next April to fill the remaining year on his term.
In the interim, the six remaining members of the council were left with one of two choices: leave the position vacant until next April or appoint a person to the position for the next eight months.
After discussing past practice, the council voted, 6-0, in favor of seeking applicants. Those interested need to live within the city’s first aldermanic district.
The council set a deadline of July 9 for applications, and Olsen’s interim successor will be discussed and possibly decided at the council’s next regular meeting July 16.
The city has placed a series of documents – including the application itself and a policy pertaining to appointments – on the main page of Whitewater’s official website, www.whitewater-wi.gov.
The council took a similar course of action late last year when Alderwoman Marilyn Kienbaum died. The council appointed Andrew Crone to fill the remaining term. Crone ran for election in April, but lost to current Council President Patrick Singer.
