Mayor race rough draft

When electing their next leader, Oshkosh residents will have the choice between Paul Esslinger and William Castle, two men whose view on leadership are in complete contrast to each other.

One underlying issues in next months election is both candidates differing view of the office of mayor.

With the city of Oshkosh now electing its mayor for the first time in 50 years, voters have more of an opportunity to pick who they think will address their needs and the needs of the city.

However, on the surface it doesn’t appear that the now elected mayor will have any more authority than before the city voted for this right in an amendment in the last election.

“While the movement to an elected mayor is an important move, it’s kind of a sham because it’s in name only. There are not any real teeth to this. This new arrangement is going to be a lot of the same-old/same-old,” said former mayor Melanie Bloechl.

When asked what would the role of the newly elected mayor be Castle said, “It’s a two year term to run the meeting. It gives you a little bit more credibility. Still, your just one of seven people.”

Castle, who has owned and operated Castle-Pierce printing since ____ is a stong proponent for the current form of government that the city possesses.

“I strongly support this form of government, I think it is effective,” said Castle.

“I would not want to be at (budget) meetings. I am not going to be a day-to-day, hands on person,” said Castle.

This view is in stark contrast to his opponent Paul Esslinger. Esslinger has been vocal about his desire to change the city’s government and have a full-time mayor.

“I would like to see more debate on city government and a full time mayor. . . the mayor would serve on most boards and eliminate many conflicts of interest,” said Esslinger.

Voters looking for governmental changes following the election of a new leader may become disappointed.

“The expectation from voters and from taxpayers when they have an election for a mayor they would like to view as their leader is that there will be significant changes in the way things are going to be done. But they are misinformed, and they will get frustrated,” said Bloeschl.

The problem appears to be lack of power that the mayor would possess in the form of government.
Still, some feel that the council-manager form of government provides the city with a array of eyes on the issues and checks and balances to help balance the power of officials.

Doing away with this system would eliminate these checks and balances.

“My greatest fear, and fear may be too strong word, I really have two of them. One is that this would be the basis on which there would be a major initiative to try to move to a full-time mayor and do away with the council-manager form of government. I think thatwould be unfortunate because I think good government depends on having a strong political leader as well as on having good professional management,” said former Mayor Stephen Hintz.

With election day on April 5, voters will have to consider the future of their city government and decide which candidate has the vision to deliver on the citizens requests.