Two Challenge Michalski For Aldermanic Seat

Mayoral candidate Tom Michalski is also defending his aldermanic seat in the Feb. 21 primary.

Ed Reader and Christopher Guzikowski are running against the six-year incumbent Michalski in the 6th District aldermanic race. The district covers the southwest side of Oak Creek. Click here for a map.

The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the April 3 general election. Aldermen are elected to two-year terms at an annual salary of $7,200.

Michalski, 58, would give up his aldermanic seat if he were elected to both positions. He said he doesn't see the problem with running for both at the same time.

"I just happen to be in the cycle where I'm up for election" as alderman, he said. "We're not asking other people to give up the spot they presently hold and go all or nothing for mayor. So why should I have to?"

Michalski to move the library and city hall to the former Delphi site, 7929 S. Howell Ave. Not only because he agreed with the arguments for incorporating those buildings into the Delphi redevelopment plans, but because he wanted to avoid any more delays.

If voted back into office, he would make it a priority to move construction plans along, he said. He disagreed with the notion that decisions have to wait until after the election.

"Look, if the people don't like the fact that I'm willing to go forward on the Delphi site, they'll have an opportunity on the 21st or on (April 3)," he said. "If people are going to hide behind elections as to when they’re going to vote, then are you really serving the public? I don’t think you are."

The 6th District includes the southern half of 27th Street, where redevelopment efforts have slowed as the city focuses on Delphi and the lakefront. Michalski said he's looking to Northwestern Mutual as well as the interchange on Elm Road, which will be reconstructed a few years from now, to help the progress.

"Northwestern Mutual is going to be the one that drives what happens on 27th Street," he said. "And I'll work with them as best we can."

Reader, 52, said he got into the race because he was dissatisfied with Michalski and "the way he's conducting business." Reader said Michalski has not consulted with constituents in his decisions, particularly with the city hall and library.

"The business of moving city hall and library ... someone wanted that as their legacy," he said. "There's nothing wrong with the library we have right now. Sure, everybody wants bigger, better and new, but I think (residents) are worried about paying their bills and paying taxes."

Reader was pessimistic about growth on 27th Street, saying that much of the new development in the city seems to be on Howell Avenue and that the city is "handcuffed" by Northwestern Mutual and the city of Franklin. 

He was also against the Drexel Interchange, which will be constructed this year, and opposes a proposal to move Fire Station 1 to Centennial Drive.

Reader is in his first attempt for public office and would look to solicit a lot of input from residents if elected.

"Nowhere is it written that politicians or millionaires are any smarter than anyone else," he said. "My qualifications are sensibility, accountability, and humility."

Guzikowski, 45, has been a trustee on the St. Stephen Parish Council for the past several years, and was instrumental in the church's construction project in his role as owner's representative.

"It was an awesome opportunity to be part of a project that big," and one that finished on time and on budget, Guzikowski said.

Now, he's looking to expand his horizons in his attempt for the Oak Creek Common Council. He said he has nothing against Michalski, but feels the council could benefit from his experience and perspective.

"I would like to bring what I've learned on the parish level to the city level," he said.

Like Reader, Guzikowski said he is looking for ways for residents' voices to be better heard. He feels the city may be moving too fast on redevelopment and neglecting other areas, such as roads and infrastructure.

He also doesn't see why 27th Street seems to have moved down the priority list.

"It's unfortunate because as much as 27th Street is one of the main arterials, when you get to Oak Creek, it's not very attractive," he said. "It's not welcoming to potential business and retailers that want to set up shop and we need to somehow make it more attractive to those people."