Waupaca alderman stepping down in 2021
By Angie Landsverk
After close to 20 years of serving on Waupaca’s common council, Ald. Steve Hackett has decided to not seek another term on it.
“I’m ready,” he said of his decision not to seek re-election.
Hackett, who represents the city’s 5th Aldermanic District, filed a Notification of Non-candidacy on Dec. 16, according to City Clerk Sandy Stiebs.
The deadline to do so for the April 6 election was 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 28.
Those who want to be candidates in the spring election may obtain nomination papers at City Hall.
Between 20 and 40 signatures are required on the papers.
The deadline to file them is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5.
Hackett is currently serving his ninth term on the common council.
Terms on the council are for two years.
He was first elected to the council in April 2003, succeeding the late James Boyer, who vacated his seat that year.
Hackett was one of three candidates for the seat that spring and was re-elected every two years after that.
When asked why he decided to not seek another term next spring, he said there were a couple reasons why.
“I’m really pleased with the city administrator and school superintendent and how well they’re getting along,” Hackett said.
He was referring to Aaron Jenson and Ron Saari respectively.
“They’re working together,” Hackett said. “They’re working toward the good of the community. I love that – the way it’s going now.”
In addition to being an alderperson, Hackett is also a member of Waupaca’s school board.
How well Jenson and Saari are working together helped Hackett make his decision to retire from the council.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic also played a role in the decision.
The council meetings are virtual, which is not an enjoyable format for him.
Hackett misses meeting in person, but said he also does not want to meet in person right now due to the pandemic.
“I’ve already missed what I’m going to miss,” said the 78-year-old.
Hackett and his wife Judy have lived in Waupaca since 1978.
They have been married for 56 years, and he worked for the postal service for 33 years.
“Waupaca’s been good to us,” he said.
Hackett enjoyed the various committees he served on through the years.
That included the Police and Fire Commission and the Personnel Committee.
He recalled being the chairperson of the Personnel Committee.
During that time, the committee went through all the rules for the unions, correcting some and taking others away, Hackett said.
The union representatives said the committee was fair.
He is proud of that.
“My saddest thing is when John Edlebeck left,” Hackett said.
Edlebeck served as Waupaca’s director of public works for 19 years.
He left the position in April 2015, to become the public works directors of Whitefish Bay, a Milwaukee suburb.
“He always gave straight answers,” Hackett said of Edlebeck.
Hackett praised the city’s current leadership and department heads, saying they all do a great job.
He spends hours reading the council packets prior to the meetings.
Hackett takes his time reading all the reports and calls department heads when he has questions.
“I really think that the city is in excellent shape,” he said.
Other incumbents
The other incumbents up for re-election in the spring are Mary Phair, Paul Hagen, Scott Purchatzke and Dmitri Martin.
Phair represents the city’s 1st Aldermanic District.
She is serving her second term on the council.
Hagen is a representative in the 2nd Aldermanic District.
Next April marks 25 years of service on the council for him.
Purchatzke represents Waupaca’s 3rd Aldermanic District.
He is currently serving his seventh term on the council.
Martin is a representative in the 4th Aldermanic District.
He is serving his first term on the council.