Wausau’s Mayor Says He Will Not Seek Re-Election

For the first time in 12 years, the city of Wausau will be getting a new mayor.

Mayor Jim Tipple has decided not to run for re-election, citing both his accomplishments and some important, unfinished business.

Choking back tears at a news conference, Tipple ran through a list of positive changes during his three terms, including $100 million invested in Wausau’s downtown through public private partnerships.

“We are a first class city, with a first class downtown,” said Tipple.

However, the mayor added that the downtown will suffer without a $4.1 million loan to save the struggling Wausau Center Mall. He said he doesn’t know if he will have the votes when the city council meets later this month.

“If the mall doesn’t happen, or is not successful, all those other businesses will be not successful either, because all of a sudden the downtown has a big hole in it,” he said.

Tipple said his retirement wasn’t prompted by recent charges of mismanagement by some members of the city council upset about delays in the reconstruction of the Thomas Street corridor, and a failure to follow bidding procedures for the Highway 52 median art project.