City council seat challenged in April election

WAUPACA – The April 7 election will be featuring both an operational referendum for the school district of Waupaca as well as a contested city council seat within the City of Waupaca.
The contested seat is for the alderperson representing District One and Wards One and Eight, which is currently held by Dave Peterson and being challenged by Michael Roberts.

Dave Peterson
Peterson was born and raised in Waupaca, living in the area his entire life, save for a few years when he rented a home in Weyauwega.
Peterson was elected to the city council in 2014, first deciding to run because he had retired and had extra time to devote to the role in his local government.

Peterson is a Waupaca High School graduate, after which he moved on to the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point where he studied history with a minor in physical education.
Shortly after graduating from college Peterson was drafted into the United States Army for a two year stint, of which one year was spent in Vietnam.
During his time in the military he reached E-5 rank, a Sergeant, and was awarded the bronze star.
After leaving the military, Peterson became a high school teacher, which he did for a further 31 years and spent an additional ten years being a substitute teacher.
Peterson has been married to his wife, Laura, for 51 years and had three children, Liza, Karen and Nancy.
Peterson also has eight grandchildren, including a set of twins that are six years old.
During his retirement, when he is not tending to his council duties, Peterson said he is a lifetime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waupaca where he is a Sunday school teacher, serves on the church council and participates in the men’s choir.
Peterson said he also enjoys sports with heavy involvement in baseball throughout growing up, namely the Waupaca Lakemen baseball league.
The city named a street after him in recognition of being apart of the Badger Amateur Baseball Association (BABA) for over 53 years as well as his decade in service to the city council, he is also a charter member of the BABA Hall of Fame since 2021.
Today he said he enjoys bowling, golf and playing cards.
Since being on council Peterson said there are many positive things he has been apart of throughout his years.
Notably he said the renovating of Main Street, the new Public Works building and the many additions to the local parks as well as technology additions are a few things that he has been proud of during his tenure.
In the time that Peterson has served on the board he said he has only missed one City Council meeting and two committee meetings.
Peterson said although the community is small, he appreciates everything the city has to offer from public services like the library to the many stores and restaurants found throughout the city.
“If I win re-election, I hope to be a small part in the continued growth and improvements across the city spectrum by supporting the mayor and tremendous staff of department heads and employees that we have,” Peterson said. “I think the council has been fiscally responsible along the way. I feel that we are a very safe, friendly, caring and supportive community and look to continue that way.”

Michael Roberts
Roberts has lived in Waupaca since 2015, originally hailing from Pennsylvania where he attended high school, the police academy and sheriff’s academy.
Roberts said his career is currently retired with a long career in law enforcement, which also includes two combat tours as a security contractor.
Some of the job titles Roberts has had during his career are police officer, correctional lieutenant and sheriff’s deputy; he has also worked in 24 countries as a contractor including Iraq, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Canada.
Roberts was elected as Pennsylvania State Constable in 1984, which was a six year term.

As far as education goes, Roberts said he went to Pennsylvania State University for psychology, along with a community college, and a police, sheriff’s, and constable academy.
Roberts said he is first and foremost a follower of Jesus and an ordained minister.
Roberts is married to his wife, December Maglior, and has two sons who are both grown up and have families of their own, as well as two step daughters who also have families of their own.
Roberts said he decided to run for office because of the state of the sidewalks and streets throughout the city and he would like more traffic control and more signage to promoting Waupaca.
If elected Roberts said he wants to support the mayor and council and assist current administration within the city.
Roberts said he would like to help promote new ideas and visions coming from the residents, work with law enforcement on ordinance enforcement, work with the highway department to get streets fixed and better street lighting.
Roberts said he would like to work with the city and county to bring more business into the city to increase tourism and revenue, saying the city wants tourism but doesn’t want new businesses to come in.
He would also work on the financial side and work to lower taxes for city residents.
“I moved here in 2015, and fell in love with the City of Waupaca, people are great, food is great and just love the Chain of Lakes,” Roberts said. “I will bring change to upgrade our City of Waupaca, I will fight to lower taxes for the residents even if I need to go to Madison.”
Roberts said he would like to promote Waupaca as a city for families, with plenty of entertainment geared towards families, and creating even more things for families to be able to do.
Roberts said he would possibly like to start a public dance or hangout to provide entertainment for teenagers that may not have anything to do outside of drugs.