Marshall Leads In Close Primary For 4th District Alderperson

OAK CREEK, WI — Results from Oak Creek's 4th District Alderman primary election filtered in throughout Tuesday night.

Unofficial results from the city clerk's office put Lisa Marshall and Mark Verhalen in a tight lead over incumbent Mike Toman so far.

Three total candidates are vying for one seat on the Oak Creek Common Council. The person who receives the least votes will be cut from the race.

At the general election in April, voters will be able to decide the better of the two candidates who remain after Tuesday's election. The winner will of the general election will be able to claim a two-year term in the 4th District Common Council seat.

Oak Creek 4th District Primary Results

Unofficial results as of 9:02 p.m. on Tuesday. Results will be added and updated as they come in.

• Michael Toman - Incumbent: 154
• Lisa Marshall: 190
• Mark Verhalen: 159

A Defining Issue: The Lakefront

Each candidate had high ambitions for Oak Creek and their district, which envelops the city's entire slice of Lake Michigan frontage.

One issue spoken about by each of the three candidates was development on the lakefront. Initiatives like Lake Vista Park, or the more recent Lakeshore Commons housing project, were of top concern.

Michael Toman, the incumbent who has served on the Oak Creek Common Council since 2003, told Patch he wants to retain his office to continue work on residential housing and expansion in those areas.

"I envision an entertainment venue coupled with restaurants and recreational opportunities," Toman said, "I will continue to funnel park impact fees toward the goals previously mentioned."

His challengers, Mark Verhalen and Lisa Marshall, come from different backgrounds, but both had things to say about the lakefront, too.

"I do believe that it is time for a fresh voice and perspective," Marshall told Patch.

Marshall, who moved to Oak Creek with her family in 2006, said one critical thing to consider with the growing projects on the lakefront is police and EMS coverage, and ensuring that those services grow with the development. She also noted it will be important for the city to find a way to retain new members of the community.

Another focus of Marshall's campaign was schools. She said the city should work with local industry "to be assured that our Oak Creek High School Students have jobs in this technical economy."

Verhalen, who came to the candidate stage with previous experience as an alderman and business owner, said he hopes to establish a task force in the city with the purpose of trying to establish Oak Creek "as a destination, not a pass-through city to get to Milwaukee."

"We need to try to use our I-94 corridor and the lakefront to establish upscale projects that attract professionals and businesses to our city," Verhalen told Patch in a statement.

With that, Verhalen raised an issue he sees with one of the more recent developments in the city, Drexel Town Square, which he said hasn't measured up to its original plans.

"They have had difficulties maintaining anchor businesses," Verhalen told Patch. "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."

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

The Critical Differences Between Each Candidate?

We asked each candidate what the critical differences were between each other. Here's what each candidate said:

• Michael Toman:
  • "The critical differences between myself and the other candidates seeking this post is my vast experience and knowledge of the cities issues."
• Lisa Marshall:
  • "I think the biggest difference between the candidates is that I am not a life long Oak Creek resident. Our family moved here in 2006 and now are happy to call Oak Creek home. I am very active in our community which keeps me connected to community members of all ages."
• Mark Verhalen:
  • "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."

Want to know more about the candidates? See links below for their responses to all of our questions:

Michael Toman - Incumbent

Lisa Marshall

Mark Verhalen