Local Politics: Challenges and Opportunities
September 28th 11:30 pm - September 29th 12:30 am @ East Hall, Little Theatre
Join us for a panel discussion on issues related to economic development, housing, and budgetary difficulties to learn how current approaches are working. The discussion will also aim to identify similarities and differences among the cities and counties in how issues are approached, who decision-makers feel most responsive to, and to what extent elected and appointed officeholders feel they have discretion in governing.
Meet the Panelists:
Lori Palmeri, Mayor of Oshkosh. Lori served two terms as a member of the Oshkosh Common Council and is in her second term as mayor. She has a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and a master’s degree in urban planning from UW-Milwaukee. She currently serves as commissioner for the East Central Regional Planning Commission, chair of the Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority, council liaison for Parks Advisory Board and the Bike and Pedestrian Committee. She has served on various boards and commissions in the community and northeast Wisconsin. She is a co-founder of the Middle Village Neighborhood Association and played a leadership role in creating other neighborhood associations since 2011. She has been a resident of Oshkosh since 2008.
Adam Sonntag, City Administrator of Ripon. Adam was city administrator for the City of Hillsboro, Wisconsin, from 2011 through 2021 when he accepted his current position in Ripon. He also has served as a regional director for the Wisconsin City/County Management Association and a member of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities Lobby, the Monroe/Vernon/Crawford Growth Fund Board, Hillsboro Library Board and Hillsboro Lion’s Club. He majored in history at Ripon College with minors in English and educational studies. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Minnesota State University–Mankato.
Steven Abel, Fond du Lac County Board of Supervisors Chair. He is a co-owner of Abel Dairy Farms in Eden, Wisconsin, a six-generation family farm. He has been on the county board for more than 10 years. He also has served on the University of Wisconsin-Extension Education, Ag and Recreation committees.
The moderator will be Henrik Schatzinger, professor of political science and co-director of the Center for Politics and the People.
This event is sponsored by the Center for Politics and the People.