Tim Ryan, tryan@wolfrivermedia.com
Leader Photo by Tim Ryan Mayoral candidate Jim Oberstein addresses attendees at a town hall meeting Wednesday at the Four Seasons Resort in Shawano.
Shawano mayoral candidate Jim Oberstein on Wednesday made a pitch for expanded duties and authority in the office he is seeking in Tuesday’s election.
Oberstein is facing Jeanne Cronce for the office being vacated by Lorna Marquardt, who has chosen not to run again after 14 years.
Oberstein made his comments during a question-and-answer session at a town hall meeting held at the Four Seasons Resort. About two dozen people attended.
Oberstein said he would like to see the mayor’s role balanced with that of the city administrator.
“I believe in working in a team environment,” Oberstein said. “I’m an elected official, the city administrator is not, so we have some differences there. I’m under the belief that if I speak to him or any of the people who work at City Hall and say, ‘Here’s the plan, here’s the vision, here’s the message I’m trying to deliver to you, and I’d really like to have you on board,’ and I think if you’re honest with him and up front with him and say, ‘I’m not trying to get rid of you or trying to cut your job or your hours or whatever.’ I’m here as, I guess, the new coach, if you want to look at it that way. I’m confident we’ll all be able to work together.”
Oberstein said the city needs someone with business leadership in the office.
“I have a vision based on the experience that I have in business,” he said.
Oberstein said that if elected he would continue seeking re-election to additional terms.
“I’m into this thing for the long run,” he said. “It’s a two-year term, but I’m here for a while.”
Oberstein said he would continue to be active in the community if he loses the mayor’s race but wouldn’t commit to seeking a citizen post on any of the city’s boards or commissions.
“I’d have to think about those things,” he said. “I wouldn’t be mayor obviously and I don’t know what role I’d fit other than that.”
Oberstein reiterated some of his proposals for the city, which he previously outlined at earlier forums, including plans for an economic summit, and priorities that include bringing new business and jobs into the community, expanding the youth apprenticeship program run by the school district, promoting tourism and creating a “health care hub” along County Road B.
Oberstein also addressed the long-vacant downtown buildings owned by the Samanta Roy Institute of Science and Technology and its subsidiaries.
“The time for talking and the time for negotiating is over,” he said.
Oberstein said SIST hasn’t shown any willingness to work with city and he said he would work with the Redevelopment Authority to get ownership of those buildings.
One attendee went on a lengthy rant against ThedaCare and its new medical center.
Oberstein said he agreed with much of what was said.
“You’re absolutely right. It’s so difficult to get in to see a doctor,” Oberstein said, adding that he would share those concerns with ThedaCare.
“They need feedback and that’s the feedback I would give to them as the senior administrator of this community,” he said. “I will do that as soon as I get in office.”
Oberstein said ThedaCare wants to be part of the community.
“We’ll reach out to them, we’ll talk to them and we’ll see what we can get accomplished,” he said. “We need to do some real talking with them and maybe even mend a few fences, because I’m not sure the current administration was the best partner with them.”
Oberstein scheduled the meeting after Cronce declined to participate in a debate proposed by The Shawano Leader.
