January Update: County Newsletter
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope all my neighbors are staying warm and safe during this January. As I record this, downtown is bustling with all the Snow Daze ice sculptures, and folks are out walking downtown and in our parks in the near 40 degree weather. Four days ago, schools were cancelled due to the dangerous cold. So it goes in Wisconsin in January.
The County Board business has been relatively minimal in January. We had only one regular meeting where Supervisor Nordigan announced that there will be upcoming public information sessions about a multi-use bike path that is being constructed out west in the Wilmot/Twin Lakes area*. While this is not in our district, these kinds of paths provide options for recreation, and I know I love exploring different parts of the county, so this is very exciting for me as an avid cyclist.At this same meeting, we approved the appointments of many qualified and committed public servants to positions across our county organizations such as the Brookside Board of Trustees, the Local Emergency Planning Commission, and the Veterans Service Commission . These are the institutions that keep our community going, and it is vital that we keep them strong and functional.
Because my county updates are few this month, I’d like to leave everyone with just a few thoughts as we move forward into the new year. Because our community is composed of a diverse group of individuals, with vastly different lived experiences, ideologies, and values, I imagine current events in the news reach us all in different ways. Folks here in Kenosha County are likely experiencing the big changes happening nationally with reactions ranging from optimism to neutrality to complete despair. It’s not my place here to comment on my own reaction, but I do want to offer some light to all of us regardless of how we’re feeling. We have to remember that no matter what is happening in the White House or even in Madison, we live in a community, and we are capable of taking care of each other. More than that, I have seen evidence in my short time in local government, that the people of Kenosha are willing to stand up and speak bravely in order to protect the most vulnerable among us. I encourage everyone to keep their eyes open and continue to do this work. I am not sure exactly the ways that big national changes will affect our work at the county, but I will do my part to keep everyone informed when something important is coming around the bend. I look forward to seeing how our community will continue to foster care and hope during times of uncertainty.
Thank you to everyone. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts! I will see you next month.
Meeting Recordings:
County Board Meeting (1/21/2025): https://www.youtube.com/live/canRQDMaQEc?si=MzQqReva7gYL0-du
*Note: The Public Meeting about the bike path has already passed (it was Wednesday 1/22). There was some confusion during the announcement on the meeting recording. If there are other upcoming public information meetings, I will keep you all informed!