The Wisconsin Legislature on Thursday is scheduled to take up a resolution honoring the life and public service of late Oak Creek Mayor Dick Bolender.

The resolution praises Bolender as a "well respected and honest public servant" who worked one of the last remaining farms in Milwaukee County. It also notes Bolender's accessibility to the community and his successes as mayor, including his work in recruiting Bucyrus International (now Caterpillar) and Woodman's to come to Oak Creek. 

Bolender, who was Oak Creek's mayor since 2003, died unexpectedly Dec. 10, just a few days after announcing he would retire to spend more time with his family.

State Rep. Mark Honadel, one of the co-sponsors of the resolution, said he and Bolender became friends when they were running for office in 2003. At the time, the hot issue was the We Energies power plant, which they both decided they would support.

Over time, they spoke frequently and attended numerous community events together.

"What I truly appreciated about him was that he always willing to invite new poeple, new businesses, new ideas to the city," Honadel said. "He realized that new people and new business meant a better economy. I was always grateful for that."

The Bolender family is expected to attend the proceedings Thursday, which Honadel said should begin around 11 a.m.