Gray challenges Spierings in Weyauwega
By Angie Landsverk
Jack Spierings is facing a challenge from Theodore Gray in Weyauwega’s spring mayoral race.
Both filed nomination papers to be candidates in the April 2 election.
The deadline to file papers was 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Spierings is seeking his third term as Weyauwega’s mayor.
“I like the shape the city is in and the progress that’s been made,” he said when asked why he is running for re-election.
Spierings also likes what the future holds for Weyauwega.
He compliments City Administrator Jeremy Schroeder and the common council in regard to how the city is operating.
“The budget is in good shape,” Spierings said. “We lowered taxes.”
Schroeder became the city’s administrator last September, and presented a 2019 budget that lowered the city’s tax rate by 17 cents.
Spierings is also proud of the Weyauwega Police Department and the efforts of the younger officers in particular to connect with the community through various events.
Spierings noted a school resource officer was added in the Weyauwega-Fremont School District.
The Public Works Department is also doing a good job, and two houses have been removed for the future expansion of its garage, he said.
In addition, Spierings said there are plans to expand the park by the dam after the city purchased property by it.
A launch for kayaks and canoes is one of the planned improvements, with the city hoping to do so this summer, he said.
Spierings also noted Agropur pulled a building permit for a large project.
In regard to the community’s grocery store – closed for several months now – Spierings said, “It’s not a dead issue.”
Those initially interested in buying it still are interested, he said.
“Hopefully, the deal will be signed this month,” Spierings said.
The store would then reopen this spring, he said.
A native of Little Chute, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and is a Vietnam-era veteran who served two years in the U.S. Army.
A resident of Weyauwega since 1978, Spierings was the manager of the former Ace Manufacturing for 17 years and then drove truck for Larsen Cooperative.
He is retired and continues to drive part time for the co-op.
Spierings served on Weyauwega’s common council for 5 1/2 years.
He is also on the Waupaca County Board, currently serving his third term.
This is the first time Gray is running for a political office.
When asked why he is running for mayor, Gray said, “After this (grocery) store issue, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I want to see this town come back to what it used to be.”
Born in Portage, he is a graduate of Cambria-Friesland High School.
Gray served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, including two years in Vietnam.
He worked at Wolf River Lumber in New London for 15 1/2 years, and is retired.
He and his wife Sandi have lived in Weyauwega just over 13 years.
Gray said he wanted to live in a community in which he could take pride.
“Weyauwega was that town,” he said.
Today Gray believes the community needs to be revitalized.
“I’m going to revive this town,” he said. “The first thing – I’m going to find out what’s going wrong with the store.”
He said it should already be done. As mayor, he would get a mediator for the two parties, completing it by May.
Gray believes alderpersons should be accountable for the districts they represent.
“I want to bring the people back to the council chambers,” he said.
When asked how he would do so, he said information about when the common council meets could be included in the newsletter residents receive with their water bills.
“Change is coming to town one way or another,” he said.
Gray is doing his research about the community.
He has had conversations with the city administrator, and has copies of Weyauwega’s ordinances.
“Everybody might think I don’t know what I’m talking about,” Gray said. “I am familiar with the town. I’ve been reading the ordinances.”
He is also putting up posters in the community and plans to distribute pamphlets.
If he wins, Gray said that before his term is up, he will start the process of getting a Dollar General in the community.
“I’m going to have an open door,” he said. “I want to work with the council. It would be a two-way street.”