Lisa Weston Reveals How the Sausage Gets Made for La Crosse City Council (aka getting oriented on being a council member)

The imposter syndrome is real — even for new city Council members jokes new District 12 La Crosse City Council member Lisa Weston. Weston was a guest on La Crosse Talk to discuss what the first month has been like being new to the elected position.

The conversations start before the inauguration / first meeting with people vying to be the president of the council. Quick appointments follow to the Board of Public Works and Park & Recreation Committees.

La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-8 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.

The president and mayor then select committees members after asking each council representatives about their passions.

Meanwhile, new members get on-boarded like new employees and oriented by City Clerk Nikki Elsen and City Attorney Stephen Matty — from badges to IT to emails to ethics.

Weston says staff answer many questions to get council members up to speed on issues in mid-progress or deeper understanding.

She was thrown into constituency advocacy even before she was elected after a water main broke on Ward Avenue in her area, flooding several homes. She continues to research what options exist for people impacted by the unexpected flooding of a home.

The District 12 Representative says she is committed to communicating and being transparent.

Weston sits on the Park & Rec Committee and was most recently selected for the City Administrator position.

La Crosse Talk airs weekdays at 6-8 a.m. Listen on the WIZM app, online here, or on 92.3 FM / 1410 AM / 106.7 FM (north of Onalaska). Find all the podcasts here or subscribe to La Crosse Talk PM wherever you get your podcasts.