By Adam Hocking

Editor

MARSHFIELD — The lone contested race in Marshfield’s common council elections will take place in district seven, where incumbent Gary Cummings will not seek re-election. One of two newcomers will join the council as Ed Korlesky and Jason Zaleski will seek the district seven spot.

Korlesky was the manager of the media department for Marshfield Clinic for 38 years until his retirement last year. He was previously the chairman of the city’s cable committee and has a bachelor’s degree in communication from UW-Stevens Points as well as a master’s degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University. He is married with twin sons.

Professionally, Zaleski is general manager for PREL investments. He is married with two children.

“During my career I have been responsible for creating training programs to assist new employees, managing departments responsible for hiring thousands of new people, and bringing together multimillion dollar corporations to reach financial and growth goals,” Zaleski said.

Ed Korlesky

Korlesky

Why are you running?

Let me rephrase the question. Do you recall what the Marshfield City Council has done in the past few years?

The only thing I recall is an attempt to subsidize housing construction costs in Marshfield that would have cost every home owner upwards to $10,000 in lost home value. It is time to return sensibility to the city council.

What is your stance on the city’s vision for downtown Marshfield, including the second street corridor project and the community square?

I am currently neutral on the second street corridor and community square projects. Alderpersons need to represent the views of their ward, and I have not had the opportunity to discuss this project with the seventh ward citizens. Although I do favor community beautification projects, I am not sure this is the best way to spend city capital dollars.

What would be your biggest priority as a council member?

My biggest priority as a council member would be to help resolve the war that is currently underway between Marshfield (Clinic) Health System and Ministry Ascension Hospitals. Although many people seem to assume this is not an issue for city government, should this battle escalate to the point where patients seek care in other communities, this would have a devastating effect on the city economy.

If even 10 percent of the patients traveling to Marshfield instead travel to the Wausau/Weston area, this will lead to staff reductions at both Saint Joseph’s Hospital and Marshfield Clinic, which in turn will lead to reduced business for area hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. It will increase homes for sale, decrease property values, and slow the construction industry.

We are already seeing Saint Joseph’s Hospital transfer patients from Marshfield to Weston and both organizations losing staff. The effect will be no different than Wisconsin Rapids losing a paper mill or a southern Wisconsin community losing a major manufacturing company. City government needs to be involved to assure that both the Marshfield quality of life and Marshfield economy are not damaged by this corporate battle.

Jason Zaleski

Zaleski

Why are you running?

I have been a Marshfield resident for 30 years, and the community has done a lot for me during that time. As a graduate of Marshfield Senior High School, it was a special time for me last spring to see my daughter walk the exact aisle that I did. It reminded me of all the great people in Marshfield that helped to raise me.

As I looked at the hundreds of Marshfield residents at my daughter’s commencement ceremony, I was reminded of countless others involved in my parenting years that gave support and guidance to my wife and me since our return to the area in 2002. I now want to begin giving back to my community and can start by representing my neighbors and friends as alderperson.

What is your stance on the city’s vision for downtown Marshfield, including the second street corridor project and the community square?

As I have traveled to many cities in our country during my life, I have come to love the quaint, comfortable downtown we have. Our downtown has a great mix of business space, food and beverage, retail, entertainment, and personal services available.

For many years our city administration has provided opportunities for great outdoor fun during events like Dairyfest and Hub City Days, and I intend to work toward more of these community events.

Recently, ideas for downtown improvement, including the Second Street project and city square, have made headlines. I think both of these projects bring a more unique identity to Marshfield, and both of these projects need a bit more thought and refinement. I look forward to engaging city leaders about our downtown.

What would be your biggest priority as a council member?

My biggest priority of being a council member is to represent the will of the people in my district. In talking to my neighbors for the last two months, I found we have many things in common, including we want safe neighborhoods to raise our families in, quality jobs with premium pay to ensure a high quality of living, and road conditions that will not shake the muffler off your car.

Griese Park has provided recreation and enjoyment for all in Marshfield for many years. The residents of district seven have a big sense of pride that this park is on our side of town. My neighbors have also raised concerns about improvements to the park, and I will work to ensure that Griese Park will be properly maintained, improved, and continues to be a fun, safe place for people to visit.