Friday Feb 3, 2017
11:45 a.m. doors open Breaking Bread Banquet Hall Members:
Jane Brill, Marketing and Program DirectorFIRST FRIDAY FORUM: Meet Sheboygan's Mayoral Candidates
Mayor Mike Vandersteen
Ald. John Belanger
Ald. Scott Lewandoske
Ald. Billy Thiel
Sheboygan's Mayoral Race is Heating Up!
on Critical Issues
Sheboygan's mayoral election takes place in April. Do you know where each of the candidates stand on the issues facing our city?
Our First Friday Forum welcomes Mayor Mike Vandersteen and the three candidates vying for his seat: 1st District Alderman John Belanger; 5th District Alderman Scott Lewandoske; and 5th District Alderman Billy Thiel.
Mayor Mike Vandersteen was born and raised in Green Bay. He moved to Sheboygan in 1973 to manage DuBois Formalwear, a position he held for 40 years prior to being elected mayor. He began his community involvement with the Sheboygan Jaycees, serving as board member and president. He also served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters; Downtown Rotary and Rotary Foundation; Sheboygan YMCA; and the United Way Campaign Cabinet. Mayor Vandersteen's government service began as a citizen member of the City Plan Commission and Capital Improvements Commission, along with being a member and chairman of the Park Board. He was then elected as a Sheboygan alderman; Sheboygan County supervisor and County Board chairman. He was elected mayor in 2013 and is seeking re-election this spring. Mayor Vandersteen and his wife, Julie, have two children and two granddaughters.
Ald. John Belanger has spent over 25 years as an account executive in the printing/advertising industry. He has been an alderman for the City of Sheboygan since 2012; council vice president for the 2015 - 16 term; along with being chairman of the Public Works, Building Use and Waterfront Safety Task Force Committees; as well as being a member of the Planning, Transit, Finance, Marina Parks and Forestry committees. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the UW - Eau Claire and lives with his wife, two sons and daughter.
Ald. Scott Lewandoske is a lifelong resident of Sheboygan. From 2007 - 2010, he was a member of the Sheboygan Area School District Board of Education, serving as 5th District Alderman from 2012 - 2014, and again since April, 2016. He wrote two local history books, along with numerous articles on local history for area newspapers. He graduated from Lakeland University with a bachelor of arts degree in elementary education and served as a substitute teacher for many years.
Ald. Bill Thiel was born and raised in Sheboygan. He is a 1988 graduate of Sheboygan South High School and currently Assistant Manager for the largest retail store in the United States. He has 12 years' sales experience and over 20 years' retail experience. He has been an active member of Sheboygan youth football for 20 years and president for six years. Bill coached football at North High School and is a former Optimist member. He has served as Alderman for 5th district for four years as a strong supporter of the City of Sheboygan's services: fire, police and public works.Repairing city streets is a top priority. Alderman Thiel wrote the ordinance for the wheel tax to be used solely for streets repair. He has a plan to address slumlords in Sheboygan.He is a supporter and advocate for the Bucks D league, growing the city's retail market, cleaning up some struggling areas of the city and helping our city parks thrive again.
Date and Time
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM CST
12:00 p.m. lunch served
1:15 p.m. program concludesLocation
6451 S. Business Drive
SheboyganFees/Admission
$20 when paid online at time of registration
$23 for payment at the door on day of event
General Admission:
$38 when paid online at time of registration
$43 for payment at the door on day of eventContact Information
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