2 Candidates Seek District 12 Election – So Far

With candidates able to start circulating petitions to run for aldermanic district 12 as of Thursday, two people have announced they are seek election for the one-year term.

Ron Kading previously announced his intent to seek election. Erik Rhine, a 23-year-old graduate of l and Louisiana State University, filed paperwork this week to begin circulating petitions.

Alderman Rick , who in early March after resigned from the position because of health reasons, has not yet filed paperwork. The position is up for election this spring for a one-year term.

Common Council members need to collect 20 to 40 nomination signatures to appear on the ballot.

Here’s the steps for the aldermanic election:

• Dec. 1; Candidates can begin circulating nomination papers after registering campaign
• Jan. 3; Nomination papers and declaration of candidacy papers are due at 5 p.m. at City Hall
• Feb. 21; Primary election if there are more than two candidates
• April 3; Election

From Rhine’s news release:

Rhine wishes to represent the people of district 12 to further improve his hometown and to see the community develop in a way that best benefits citizens of Waukesha.

Erik Rhine first thought of running for the common council after researching the water issue of Waukesha. He believes spending more than $150 million to purchase Milwaukee water is a mistake, especially when Waukesha families struggle to pay bills. Making sure residents of the city have a voice is his top priority. Rhine also advocates business development throughout the city, and wishes to see more investment in the city to bring jobs to the city’s struggling economy. Additionally, Rhine is against any tax or fee increases, and will campaign around lowering the cost of living in the city of Waukesha.

According to the city’s water application, any decision the Common Council makes as it responds to the EPA’s mandate will be expensive. While Lake Michigan water from Milwaukee is estimated to cost $164 million in capital costs, a combination of deep and shallow wells is projected to cost $189 million and shallow wells with the Fox River alluvium is estimated at $189 million.

Operating costs for Lake Michigan water is estimated at $6.2 million while the other two options are $7.2 million and $7.4 million annually.

Rhine clarified in a voicemail that he agrees with Mayor Jeff Scrima that the citizens should decide the future water supply. The city is under a court-ordered mandate, however, to adhere to EPA guidelines for radium levels in its water supply by June 2018 or face significant penalties.

From Kading’s news release announcing candidacy.

Today, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for alderman of the 12^th District of the City of Waukesha. I have been a resident and property owner of our City for more than 20 years and feel strongly that the need for the citizen’s voice to be heard at city hall is lacking.

True representation and true leadership is to put ones personal opinion and political views aside and speak for the people you represent. That is why I am running.  My goal is to listen to what people say, respond to their comments and to keep them informed of the issues that will impact them and their families.  As I have often said, ”It is amazing what can be done, if we put our political differences aside and work together.” It is time to unite our city and keep Waukesha a great place to work, live and raise our children and grandchildren.