Political Story Final

In an election being held next week, Oshkosh residents can decide if spending their money to stimulate
new development is more important than improving the city's current infrastructure.

The two mayoral candidates take opposing views on the issue-a split that was exposed during the March 23 candidates' forum at UW-Oshkosh.

Candidate William Castle, who has served in the position of mayor in the past, stressed the need to cooperate with developers in order for Oshkosh to obtain new bridges, roads, parks and an improved fitness center.

“I'm a firm believer that the city has to step up to the plate when there are serious developers that want to make something happen," Castle said. And maybe the best thing the city can do is get out (of) the way and let the developers in."

Castle's opponent Paul Esslinger, a five-year Oshkosh Common Council member, took a different view on the development of the city.

Instead of concentrating on the construction of new facilities like Castle, Esslinger's idea is to "get control over spending and focus on needs versus wants." He mostly spoke about road repair.

The people of Oshkosh are "traveling on roads that shake the fillings out of your teeth," Esslinger said. "I think we've put luxury items ahead of infrastructure needs. Let's focus on the things that need to be done first."

According to Esslinger, in addition to road repair the city also needs a new city garage, improved storm and water management, and new police and fire equipment.

"I think that police and fire equipment is more important than infrastructure projects in our parks," Esslinger said.

While Esslinger thinks that Oshkosh's "spending priorities are a little mixed up," Castle said that he believed in the current spending "balancing act."

Building in Oshkosh is "pretty exciting," Castle said. “The vision is constantly evolving. We know how to keep our house in order.”