Route 51, April 19, 2018

Air Date:
Heard On Route 51
WPR’s Glen Moberg in studio with Mayor of Rhinelander Chris Frederickson, Mayor of Merrill Derek Woellner and Mayor of Wisconsin Rapids Zach Vruwink. WPR/Jana Rose Schleis

On April 19 at 10 a.m. Wisconsin Public Radio’s Route 51 looks at new political leadership in North Central Wisconsin with a discussion featuring the mayors of Merrill, Rhinelander and Wisconsin Rapids. On April 3, 25-year-old Derek Woellner was elected mayor of Merrill by a margin of 79 votes, defeating a two-term incumbent with what he called a unity platform to bring people with differing viewpoints together. Also, write-in candidate Chris Frederickson was elected mayor of Rhinelander, despite having never served in public office. Rounding out the panel is Zach Vruwink, who was first elected mayor of Wisconsin Rapids in 2012 at the age of 24. He has since been re-elected in 2014 and 2016, running on a platform of citizen engagement and participation in government. Host Glen Moberg will discuss the qualities of leadership with the three regional mayors, and the willingness of today’s electorate to embrace candidates without traditional political experience.

Episode Credits

  • Glen Moberg Host
  • Zach Vruwink Host
  • Chris Frederickson Host
  • Derek Woellner Host

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