WESTON, WI (WSAU) — Trustees in Weston have voted Steve Meinel onto the Village Board to fill Mark Maloney’s seat, who was recently elevated to Board President.
Meinel says he was interested in the position as a life-long Weston resident who’s raised a family in the Village. “I enjoy living here. It’s safe, you don’t really have to worry about anything.”
He adds that he would like to see the Village become more business-friendly in the future to improve on what they currently have to offer.
“We need to continue to have the retail mix that we have right now. I can’t remember the last time I went out of Weston when I needed something at the hardware store or whatever. We need to maintain that and not take any steps backward on that.”
Additionally, he says he sees opportunities for the Village to expand its business and industrial parks by acquiring more land and providing favorable tax environments for those interested. “I don’t know if the Village has purchased any land [recently] to expand the industrial parks. I haven’t seen [all of that information]. But I think with our TIFs the way we have them right now, there is an opportunity to do some business development in that area.
Meinel says his qualifications include professional experience in the banking industry as well as service on various village boards and commissions. In his words that brings a “balancing act” of experience to the position.
Maloney was elevated to President after former Everest Metro Police Chief Wally Sparks resigned. He and his wife have since moved to South Carolina to enjoy retirement.
Others who interviewed for the vacant seat included Steve Cronin and Shang Kang. Both Meinel and Kang were nominated for the position with Meinel winning the nod on a 5-1 vote.
The Village initially had six residents interested in being appointed to the position. Three backed out in the days leading up to Monday’s interviews and vote.
Meinel, a retired banker, currently serves on the Village Plan Commission alongside Cronin. Following the interview process and oath of office, he was seated for the remainder of Monday’s regular board meeting.
He will retain the seat for the next 18 months and will then run for a full term in the spring of 2022.
President Maloney then encouraged Cronin and Kang to seek other committee or commission posts that currently sit vacant within the Village and to run for seats on the board in future elections.
