Whitewater Council fills District 2 aldermanic vacancy
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
The Whitewater Common Council is back up to full strength with last week’s appointment of a University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student to fill a vacancy in the city’s second aldermanic district.
The six seated council members on July 20 voted unanimously in favor of appointing Lukas Schreiber to fill the post, which UW-Whitewater students have historically filled. City Clerk Michele Smith immediately issued Schreiber an oath of office after he was voted in, and he took a seat on the decision-making body.
Schreiber, the only applicant for the vacancy, succeeds Matthew Schulgit, who stepped down in May due to graduation. This fall, Schreiber will be a junior at UW-Whitewater, double majoring in finance and political science.
While his involvement in Whitewater has become more entrenched since becoming a UW-Whitewater student, Schreiber said his ties to the community precede his entry onto the campus. His family has owned land in the area for nearly 20 years.
In his introduction to the council, Schreiber said, “I am no stranger to this community. I very much appreciate the community that you’ve helped build.”
Running for local office is a thought Schreiber said he had entertained in the past. Once the announcement of the District 2 vacancy arose, he said he felt the timing was right to throw his hat into the ring.
“I can honestly say I am prepared to represent the majority of students that will be living in the aldermanic District 2 this coming school year,” Schreiber said. “I love this city, I call it home and I would hope to see it grow and become successful while I am here.”
While this is Schreiber’s first foray into elected office, he has already had a brush with local government in several arenas.
Since last May, Schreiber has been serving on the city’s Community Involvement and Cable TV Commission. In April, he also began his duties as a student senator within UW-Whitewater’s student government office.
Council member Carol McCormick said she was pleased to learn Schreiber has already demonstrated his commitment to local government through the roles he has held thus far.
“I’m glad you’re already involved in the city,” McCormick said. “That’s dipping your toes into the water, and now you’re ready to join us. I appreciate your service to the city.”
Schreiber also has given back to the community through multiple arenas, including service as a camera operator at Bridge Church in Waukesha, volunteerism through the Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity, a role as a recruitment chair with the Interfraternity Council and involvement with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
The District 2 aldermanic seat on the council expires next April. Schreiber said he intends to run in the spring election. In the road ahead, post-graduation, he said is open to continuing service to the community, either through a spot on the council or through another means.
“I might even stick around after I graduate,” he said. “I do love this city.”
