Ryan Sorenson
Sheboygan Mayor Ryan Sorenson painted a picture of a city making a comeback when giving his first “State of the City” address before the Common Council on Monday night.
The Mayor drew attention to the changing face of Sheboygan, starting with City Hall, where, “For the first time in our history, we have a female majority on the City Council. Additionally, for the first time in our history we have both of the leadership positions in the Council President and Vice President held by strong women leaders as well. By many benchmarks this council is the most diverse in history in age, and in background. Representation matters, and it is truly benefit for our city that the legislative branch is a little more reflective of our community.”
Sorenson took time to thank those operating businesses through the pandemic and making investments in tough times, and credited them with helping to keep Sheboygan a quality place to live, work and visit. He singled out Lynn Potyen who owns The Gameboard, whom Sorenson said has operated since 2006 with a belief that innovative gameplay for all ages can advance critical thinking and stimulate brain development. Having moved locations several times for growth, Sorenson said, “her investment in downtown, along with her loyalty in many other small businesses is a great reflection of the passion that many Sheboyganites have.”
While thanking all local businesses for their continued committment to the City, he urged anyone wanting to locate or growth to reach out to the City for help.
Sorenson also recognized Vue Yang for leadership in the Hmong community, calling him a “shining example of what a community leader looks like.”
And while noting the successes of the tourism industry thanks to high-profile events such as the Ryder Cup, Sorenson said “….the long-term success of our tourism economy truly lies in the success of our many small hospitality businesses”, and pointed to Dan Welsch, owner of Dumper Dan Sportfishing Charters, saying that “he has been responsible for bringing many travelers from all over the United States and the World right to the ‘Malibu of the Midwest’, Sheboygan.”
Much as he paid attention to past successes, it was clear in his address that Sorenson saw change as a much-needed element going forward. The Mayor was elected last April after running on a platform of fixing roads and addressing an affordable housing shortage, and he noted work both already done, and still to be done, that fulfill that pledge.
While road work was highly visible last year…and will be again in 2022, the affordable housing issue will get no less attention. Sorenson pointed to two projects now underway that collectively will offer 92 units with rents starting at $350 per month. One will occupy the old CITGO property at 14th and Illinois Avenue, and the other at 13th and Erie will develop a veterans housing initiative with the non-profit Partners for Community Development.
In closing his nearly half-hour address, Sorenson said that many challenges remain, explaining that fixing roads, creating more affordable housing, and the need to recruit more to the community are far from over. But he finished on a positive tone, saying: “…we can get it done, and we can tackle any challenge that is thrown our way. Sheboygan has so much opportunity and potential, and we are not taking our foot off the gas pedal. And with your help, we can continue to move Sheboygan…forward. Thank you so much, and God bless the great City of Sheboygan.”
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