Who's Got Your Vote? Recap of Port Mayor Candidates

Four candidates running to be the next Port Washington mayor are hoping to get your vote during the primary election on Tuesday, including: Tom Mlada, John Sigwart, Ricky Ranz and Jim Vollmar.

Tuesday's election will narrow the field to two, and the top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the April 3 general election, which also will include races for the Port Washington Common Council, Saukville Village Board and the Port Washington-Saukville School Board.

The mayor earns $7,500 and serves three-year terms.

Here's a closer look at the four candidates to become the next city leader.

Tom Mlada

Mlada has taken a strong focus on getting involved: "There has to be a sense among us that we are vested in this community," Mlada said. "So much of what you do is about relationships. Especially on the local level, I truly believe its about engaging people."

On downtown business development: "It isn't the city's job to hand pick those businesses per se, but its the community's job to support the businesses that come,” Mlada said. “We all have a responsibility living in this city to get to know the businesses and the owners, and support those locally."

On industry: It's important for city leaders to demonstrate to businesses that the city is willing to sit down and support them ... but in talking talk about some of the vacancies in the industrial park — the bottom line at the end of the day is there is a limit to what can be done. Hopefully developing a good relationship with investors will bring them in.

Age: 36
Family: Married for 13 years; three daughters and one son
Background and political experience: Port Plan Commission; Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Milwaukee Board member; Empty Bowls Milwaukee Marketing Committee member; Catholic Schools Advancement; Association Leadership Team member; Planned Giving Council of Eastern Wisconsin member; Currently works as Director of Development & Stewardship, St. Monica School & Parish in Whitefish Bay
Community involvement: Feith Family YMCA Philanthropy Committee member; Feith Family YMCA Board member; Past member of Port Washington Garden Club; Volunteer girls basketball coach (4th grade)

Ricky Ranz

Ranz has been very focused on fresh perspective: "What do we need? We need something to come in here and be our beacon again — and that’s where the new ideas come in," he said. "We need to sit down and think, 'OK — what do we have that’s going for us and how can we play off that?'"

On downtown business development: I think that the city does have a role in the redevelopment of downtown beyond supporting Main Street. The city should assist with what they can, make suggestions for business adventures, but really should be helping keep everything on track towards a bright future.

On industry: Industry is very important to Port! We took a big hit when Trak and Simplicity left, a hit we still are feeling. Once again, it is the city's responsibility to go out to our existing industries and get to know them. Take tours, learn what they do and find out how we as the city impacts them positively and negatively.

Age: 27
Family: Single
Background and political experience: Currently works as a carpenter and also a long-time employee at New Port Shores

John Sigwart

Sigwart put an emphasis on long-term planning: If elected mayor, Sigwart would like to start a joint board between elected officials in both Port and Saukville to start conversations about collaborative services between the city and the village, hoping to hold quarterly meetings "to do some real, solid, long-range planning for the two communities."

On downtown business development: "We may think we have trouble in Port Washington — but, believe me, we don't have real trouble in Port Washington. We have a very healthy (economy)," candidate John Sigwart said, adding that the best thing for the city to do is to market itself, and to make sure that the vacant buildings in Port are well-known to those looking to open a business.

On industry: While manufacturing jobs are scarce nationwide, Sigwart said Port does have some nice but underused buildings that could attract new companies. He suggested that city officials work with the University of Wisconsin Extension to develop a plan for industrial development.

Age: 66
Family: Married with 6 children as well as grandchildren
Background and political experience: Worked as the city engineer and public works director in Port Washington in the 1970s; then left in 1978 to work with Miller Engineers & Scientists in Sheboygan
Community involvement: Chair of Resource Committee for Port Washington's Main Street Program, as well as president of the Main Street Alliance

Jim Vollmar

Vollmar has put a lot of focus on turning downtown in a destination: "(Downtown) has to be like a shopping center — it has to have the right tenant mix, it has to have the niche market, and, if it has those things, people will come to the city for the shopping center," he said.

More on downtown business development: Vollmar said the city should have a unified marketing strategy, meaning that all the businesses should have set, consistent hours, and that officials should practice "selective business recruitment."

On industry: Vollmar points to the importance of keeping existing factories around, considering the tens of thousands of dollars they contribute to the city’s tax fund — a contribution that will be ever more valuable as state aid declines

Age: 68
Family: Married with 2 children and 3 grandchildren
Background and political experience: Graduated from high school in Milwaukee, attended Marquette Business College and Marquette Law School, currently works as an attorney, served as a U.S. army captain, also was assistant city attorney in Milwaukee and assistant district attorney in Waukesha, has served two full terms as alderman for Port Washington Common Council and is in his third, also serves on the Board of Public Works and Personnel Committee
Community involvement: Affiliated with the Wisconsin Bar Association, American Bar Association, Wisconsin and Ozaukeerealtors associations, Port Washington Main Street program resource committee, Port Washington Chamber of Commerce, Port Washington Historical Society, secretary of Future Olympians Boxing Association