Common Sense

Last night was the first City Council meeting for the newly elected aldermen, including myself. Most of the agenda consisted of routine approvals of regular business items. Then we got to agenda item 14 and 15. Item 14 was to grant a class B beer and wine license toe The Coffee Pot on 7th Avenue, which was granted. Item 15 was to allow them to extend the use of that liquor license to the outdoor dining area that was already approved. The recommendation from the committee was to deny the outdoor use of the just approved beer and wine license. It makes no sense to approve of a business plan to expand their operations, and then vote to limit their ability to be successful. I proposed we vote against denial and the move to approve the outdoor extension. The Council has the right to approve the outdoor use even though it technically is in conflict with an overly general ordinance. Alderman Misner and Downing agreed to have the item referred back to committee to rework the ordinance in order for the Coffee Pot to move forward with their plans. I was happy to have helped a local business expand their operations to better serve the people and patrons of Kenosha. I look forward to continuing to interject common sense solutions into Council decision making.

Oath of Office and Committee Assignments

On April 15th at 7:30pm there will be a City Council meeting at which the new Mayor Keith Bosman and the Aldermen will be sworn in and assume their duties of their elected offices. Following the administering of the oath of office aldermen will be assigned to committees and then vote on committee chairpersons and President of the City Council. All are welcome to attend the meeting.

Victory Party Photo

From left to right: 13th district Alderman Ray Misner, 15th district Alderman-elect Michael Orth, 4th district Alderman G. John Ruffolo, Mayor-elect Keith Bosman, 8th district Alderwoman Katherine Marks, 14th district Alderman-elect Daniel Prozanski, 10th district Alderman-elect Anthony Kennedy, and 1st district Alderman Eric Haugaard.

Victory!

THANK YOU!

The vote total as reported on the Kenosha County website was

Michael Orth 809 66%

Frank Pacetti 408 33%

I look forward to representing you as your voice on city council. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me.

Kenosha News Excerpt

15th District

A City Council veteran was defeated handily in the 15th District.

Michael Orth, also a Tremper government teacher, defeated nine-term Alderman Frank Pacetti, 809 votes to 408, according to unofficial totals.

Pacetti, the longtime chairman of the council's Finance Committee, said he was not sorry about his loss. He noted that he did not campaign actively this year.

"The voters have decided they want a change," Pacetti said. "That's great. It's probably time for the torch to pass."

Orth said he believes the district's residents were looking for an alderman who would better represent their community.

"Frank was a great asset to the city, but the people in the neighborhood wanted somebody who's going to work specifically for them," Orth said.

Polls Open from 7am to 8pm

All residents of the 15th district vote at

Forest Park School, 6810 45th Avenue.