Candidate Profile: Mark Verhalen For Alderman District 4 Primary

OAK CREEK, WI— The 2022 election is heating up in Wisconsin and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office. Voters will also decide the outcome of state representative, senate seats and local government and school boards.

Patch asked the candidates for the Oak Creek 4th District Alderperson seat, which will have a primary vote on Feb. 15, to answer questions about their campaigns. We will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

Find more information about the upcoming February primary at the City of Oak Creek's website.

Name

Mark Verhalen

Age (as of Election Day)

66

Position Sought

4th District Alderperson

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

Wife Kim married for 40yrs., 4 adult children and 8 grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes, my daughter is an Assistant District Attorney in another state.

Education

1974 Oak Creek Graduate

Occupation

Self Employed Business owner 44yrs. experience

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Oak Creek School Board Member and Prior Alderperson for 3rd District Oak Creek

Campaign website

N/A

Why are you seeking elective office?

Looking to bring some fresh ideas to the common council to further improve the City of Oak Creek. I believe the 4th District needs to be focused more on ways to facilitate new development, both single-family residential and commercial. This in turn should help with the Lakefront development.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

To establish Oak Creek as a destination, not a pass-through city to get to Milwaukee. We need to try to use our I94 corridor and the lakefront to establish upscale projects that attract professionals and businesses to our city. I would look at establishing a task force specifically for this purpose.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I would bring to the city my business experience and overall knowledge of the building trades, storm water management, and environmental rules. I am able to work with city officials and private businesses because I am very familiar with Oak Creek's development criteria. I am someone that would work hard to achieve positive long-term goals.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The vision with Drexel town square has not measured up to what it was planned to be. They have had difficulties maintaining anchor businesses. The square itself was not built to accommodate the type of venues that it was intended for. There is insufficient parking and open space in the square area. This has led to overcrowding for some events and other parking is not very accessible.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Trying to streamline some of our processes in Oak Creek to better accommodate citizens, developers and future investors in the city.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Being an Alderperson in the past along with my vast knowledge of all operations of the city.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never take on any more work than your wife can handle. "Rolland Tischendorf"

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I would lead with common sense and would work hard to address all citizen's concerns. I believe that the city has great potential to become a destination we can all be proud of.