2025 City Council Candidate John F. Reiman
District 7

John Reiman
La Crosse city council candidate District 7
CONTACT: [email protected]
La Crosse Talk Interview:
Reiman’s answers to WIZM questionnaire:
About You:
Can you tell us about yourself — your professional background, family, education, and history in La Crosse?
John F. Reiman
58. Married, wife Lisa, son Michael, daughter Abigail. My son lives and works in the Green Bay/Appleton area. He was born in La Crosse. My daughter is a senior at Logan High School, she was born in Green Bay. Both my wife and I are retired teachers. We currently live near La Crosse Floral on 28th St. and are members of Blessed Sacrament Parish.
I earned my Bachelor’s degree from UWL and my Master’s degree from Viterbo. Upon graduating from UWL in 1989 I took my first teaching job out of the area as jobs in education then were VERY scarce! Long story short, while I sincerely desired to return to La Crosse, once I met my wife from Green Bay, family commitments on her side kept us there until retirement. We relocated back to La Crosse in 2021.
I taught high school social studies for the vast majority of my career at Green Bay East High School. East is a historic inter-city school with a very diverse population. Subjects taught included Civics, AP History, AP Psychology, World History, Economics, Contemporary Social Problems, US History, and Geography (among others).
My family history in La Crosse is extensive. In fact, two former mayors of La Crosse, James McCord, and W.A. Roosevelt are my great, great and great, great, great grandfathers! My grandparents and parents, along with my late wife, are all buried here. I grew up at the foot of Hedgehog and Cliffwood bluffs and attended Blessed Sacrament Elementary and Aquinas High schools. My father was the treasure of the W.A. Roosevelt Company and my mother was a registered nurse and music teacher.
RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL
Why did you decide to run for City Council, and what experiences or skills do you bring that will help you represent your district and the city effectively?
I am running for city council for several reasons. Most importantly, I am deeply concerned with the future of the city and rather than complain about issues facing the city I desire to be actively involved in solutions, long-term planning, etc.. Upon my return, I initially did some volunteering with the county “meals on wheels” program and saw some things that really opened my eyes as to the deplorable conditions some of our residents are forced to live in. The deterioration of the infrastructure, city streets, housing quality, etc. are also things I noticed while driving around town.
Additionally, the flight of the middle and upper middle classes from the city is quite apparent to me! In fact, a large number of people I have encountered since returning, that is, doctors, nurses, contractors, hygienists, realtors, engineers, physical therapists, machinists, etc…those in their peak earning years, many with kids, work in La Crosse, but live outside the city. The decline of enrollment in the La Crosse public schools with the growth in West Salem and Holmen districts certainly confirms this as an issue. I am running to try to bring some of those people back to my beloved La Crosse!
Having managed a successful career in public education has prepared me to effectively interact with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. As a professional educator I learned collaborative skills that I can use to work with other members of the council. I also have a very good understanding of government, at least from a theoretical point of view, having taught Civics and Economics for the majority of my career. I also score high on the “big five” personality trait of conscientiousness, which should give voters peace of mind that I will listen thoughtfully to their concerns and sincerely work hard for them to the best of my ability. Finally, I am retired, but still relatively young. Therefore, I will have the time, the energy, and the motivation to do the job well and be readily available to the constituency of district 7.
Finally, being on the city council will also give my life a greater sense of purpose, which has been missing since leaving the classroom.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
How would you ensure residents in your district are actively involved in city planning and decision-making processes?
As I said in the previous question, being retired gives citizens easy access to me via phone or e-mail. It really is as simple as that. People are busy with their daily lives. I sense that contacting their city representative is not “high” on their list of priorities unless they have a problem. I pledge to be available most any day via phone or e-mail and promise to speak to them directly about their concerns in a timely fashion. I am quite enthusiastic about the prospect of holding a non-partisan office, that is, being a member of the council, because petty politics should be cast aside for the greater good. At least that is my hope. Not everyone in district 7 will agree with everything I do or say, but we still should be able to find some common ground to work towards. We are neighbors after all!
CITY ADMINISTRATOR
The City Council delayed a vote on hiring a City Administrator until after the election. Do you support the creation of this position? How do you see this role working in collaboration with the City Council and the mayor’s office?
I could support a City Administrator if the mayor’s job becomes part-time. Otherwise, frankly, we cannot afford it! So either we have a full-time mayor and no administrator or we have a part-time mayor with an administrator. I can see benefits and detriments to both.
Traditionalists would like to keep the status quo, as it does have the advantage of turnover…that is, if the voters are dissatisfied with the performance of the mayor they can simply not vote for her/him in the next election. Or if the mayor is well-liked and seemingly doing the job well, then they certainly could stay on for a long time to the benefit of the city. However, a loss of continuity can be an issue with this structure if every four years a new mayor is elected, each with new ideas, priorities, policies, etc..
Having a professional administrator could improve long-term planning and continuity but ONLY if the administrator is competent and dedicated. What if the council gets an ineffective administrator? It can be hard to remove public officials once they are entrenched. Also, would the city council really have enough skill and background to hire an effective administrator? Maybe, maybe not. I served under a few superintendents hired by a publicly elected school board that probably should not have been (hired). One other question I would have is, “are there enough qualified candidates for such a position or not”? It might be that La Crosse would struggle to find the right person for the job. If you want me to choose one or the other, I’d stay with the current organizational structure.
HOMELESSNESS
What role do you see the City Council playing in addressing homelessness in La Crosse? Do you support the Pathways program? If so, what aspects of the plan do you find most effective?
- If not, what alternative solutions would you propose to address homelessness in La Crosse?
While my gut tells me La Crosse and the council do not have the expertise, experience, resources, etc…to “solve” the homeless problem, I understand why they have tried. Homelessness certainly falls under the umbrella of public policy and that is what the council is elected to work for. Seeing people on the streets suffering from homelessness, regardless of the cause, takes an emotional toll. In addition, we are all human, and being so makes one empathetic to the human condition.
The Pathways Home Plans looks to be very well thought out and certainly has merit. I do indeed support it. What I like about it is that it is a La Crosse County program, as the city cannot handle this issue alone. The state and federal government also need to play a role. I also like that there is a clear, long-term, consistent plan being implemented.
I have an idea about how to help pay for some of all this, but it might be considered unworkable. For example, how about a “homeless tax” put on Vrbos and Air B & B, along with hotels and other short-term rentals countywide? This money could be used not only for the Pathways program costs, but also some increased enforcement of vagrancy laws, which I would strongly support. No more encampments, get the panhandlers off the streets, increased enforcement of drug violations, etc. Some of the money obviously should go to the mental health professionals and agencies working with these folks too.
I think one thing that bothers citizens on this issue is the amount of money that has been spent on a few hundred people (the number of homeless according to the county) relative to the success rate and the population of the city (52,000). That is, quite a large amount of money is now gone (has been spent on cleanups, motels, coordinators, etc.) yet the homeless total seems to be constant. That is money that could have been spent elsewhere to improve the city but now is lost. I would grant that lives certainly were saved, so one cannot put a price on that of course.
The bottom line…let the professional social workers and the traditional organizations such as the Salvation Army, The United Way, Catholic Charities, etc., take the lead on this issue. They have the experience, knowledge, and history to do so. The role of the city council is to support their efforts while keeping the public safe from harm.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
What steps would you take to increase the availability of affordable housing, particularly for working-class residents and vulnerable populations, in your district and the city?
I feel the city has done quite a bit on this issue already, perhaps too much, to the long-term detriment of La Crosse. Since my return, La Crosse has added a substantial amount of affordable housing all over town! 4th and Jackson, North of Menards near the old Rubber Mills building, west of Festival on the north side, plans for Lincoln Middle School, etc.. In addition, building codes have been changed to allow for ADU (auxiliary dwelling units) and most recently, elimination of parking requirements for residential buildings. I am against these code changes (as were several former public officials)!
I have nothing against renters or lower income residents nor do I have anything against well-thought out planning and development of aforementioned affordable units. Yet it seems “affordable housing” and more apartment complexes is the only type of development the council is interested in. In addition, perfectly good single family homes continue to get converted to duplexes, Vrbos, and student housing. Problem…much of this housing then slowly becomes substandard housing owned by outside investors and LLC’s that invest as little as possible in their units and extract as much as they can in rent while living outside the city collecting their checks! Once vibrant neighborhoods slowly decline and then there is increased pressure on residents to “flee” to the suburbs (or repel newcomers from choosing the city to live in).
What concerns me is that La Crosse seems to be catering to the “lowest common denominator” while it already has a rental rate of over 50%. Instead of adding more apartments exclusively, perhaps La Crosse needs to enforce building codes and intervene on behalf of residents living in near squalor already? Other than a few housing starts and small developments (west of Viterbo and south of Green Bay St./Losey comes to mind), La Crosse has not done enough to encourage new single family housing developments, senior condo developments, and structured regentrification of existing homes and neighborhoods. You cannot keep building more and more affordable, that is low-income, apartments and make La Crosse appealing to those choosing to live in the suburbs at the same time. There has to be more balance in the type of housing available (and the renewal of existing housing) in my view.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
How would you balance supporting new business development and sustaining existing businesses while preserving the unique character of La Crosse’s downtown and neighborhoods? Are there specific projects or ideas you would advocate for in your district or the city?
The Kmart building and the Trane Office Complex are two areas screaming for the type of development I would like to see in addition to the current projects all over the city. 360 Development has been given quite a bit of time to start on the “Copper Rocks” project on the Kmart site. Perhaps it is time to move on to something else, as they have had more than enough time to move forward on this and I fear the end result will be significantly less desirable than the original plan! Most likely result now? More apartments and some retail. This area doesn’t need anymore retail, as that would only hurt the Village Shopping center and the other commercial buildings across State Road. Why not develop this with some senior condos and decent (but not extravagant) single family homes? I have spoken to several seniors that somewhat struggle to maintain their large family homes but don’t want to move into apartments or are not yet ready for assistant living. If desirable condos were built that would free up housing for new families to move into while fulfilling a niche missing in much of the city. The homes should be modestly sized with quality materials that stand the test of time. This increased family housing would be beneficial for the retail operations across the street, the school district, and get rid of the blighted Kmart building… a win-win-win proposition.
As for the Trane location, certainly that would make a great residential neighborhood development as there is already the bike and hiking trail infrastructure, flood mitigation, an elementary school nearby, good roads with an idyllic setting (bluffs all around). Sign me up!
As for downtown, La Crosse has done very well with downtown development and plans for the future. I am satisfied with how downtown development has been going overall and grateful that a homeless shelter was not put in the old Chamber of Commerce building. The only thing I’d like to see is more greenspace and correctly applied tree planting in the downtown district.
POPULATION DECLINE
Recent reports show a decline in La Crosse’s population. What strategies would you support to attract and retain residents, particularly younger people and families?
La Crosse needs to address its tarnished image. Perhaps some people see La Crosse as a tourist destination only, which is all well and good, but the city is also a wonderful place to live! We have the river, the bluffs, trails, the marsh, 2 well-run hospitals, clinics, tree-lined streets, a solid park system, three universities, Moon Tunes, festivals, nice hotels, quality public schools, etc. all within a few square miles of easy driving time in a very supportive community, with many beautiful houses of worship, wonderful historic buildings and homes, great recreational opportunities, nice restaurants, etc.. It doesn’t help that the local paper and newscasts tend to report criminal activity that seem to skew towards the city more than the ‘burbs. With a workforce (74%) that commutes to town rather than lives here, clearly there is a perception that the suburbs are a better place to live. Therefore, the city needs to do a better job of “selling itself” by emphasizing on all the great things it currently has to offer, paired with improvements to the housing stock, along with proactively addressing the homeless situation and methamphetamine problems to make the city more appealing to young families and professionals.
INFRASTRUCTURE
What is your approach to improving and maintaining the city’s infrastructure, including roads, public transportation and utilities? How would you ensure equitable access across the city?
The city seems to be short of funds, especially for roads, flood mitigation, park improvements, and the like. I hate to use the “t” word, but perhaps it is time to stop complaining that the state and federal government need to fund the city more and be proactive. A wheel tax might shore up some of the shortfall, along with a ¼ percent city sales tax (if the state allowed it). No one wants to pay more in taxes, including myself, but let’s face it, the roads in town are in poor condition and the amount of tax each family would have to pay is significantly smaller than the repairs paid for new rims, tires, suspension parts etc., caused by the poor road conditions. In addition, a ¼ percent sales tax would be paid by non-residents too, thus lowering the need for higher property taxes on residents to make up for the shortfall in the city budget.
TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY
How would you advocate for improvements to transportation options in your district and the city? What ideas do you have for public transportation, bike lanes or pedestrian-friendly pathways?
My district recently had a sidewalk kerfuffle so this is a dangerous question to answer! I am all for bike routes, lanes, and pedestrian infrastructure IF it is done well. Adding sidewalks to areas that weren’t originally set up for such is always a tougher sell than putting them in the first place. I would support all new developments requiring the addition of sidewalks. Bike lanes and routes can work if well designed and maintained. For example, the King Street bike corridor is useful, safe, and well thought-out. The Jackson street bike lanes however, are poorly designed and not well understood or used. Downtown the bike lanes with the pylons are not surviving the test of time, an unfortunate lost opportunity. I am a bike rider and hiker. I use the routes or trails almost everyday in the summer so I would love to see greater investment in more trails and routes done well. It makes for a more desirable and healthy community, which could help attract more people to live in the city too!
PUBLIC SAFETY
What strategies would you support to ensure that La Crosse remains a safe community for residents and visitors? What plans do you have to address issues such as police-community relations, crime prevention and emergency response preparedness?
In all honesty, this is not an area of expertise for me. Personally I feel very safe in La Crosse, but I am quite sure that isn’t true for everyone. Neighborhood associations along with the police and fire departments can/do work together to report, educate, and inform each other of the needs of our community. The little contact I’ve had with the local officers has been quite positive. I feel they are doing the best they can with the resources they are provided with. Of course, La Crosse, like any city of its size, has issues related to the drug trade/use. That is an area of concern and certainly in need of more resources to improve treatment and enforcement.
The bottom line is that the police department and citizens need to work together to solve our community problems, we can’t just say “why don’t the cops do more?” or whatever. As a member of the council, I certainly will do my part to promote and advocate for public safety, as that is the bedrock of any community.
CLIMATE ACTION & SUSTAINABILITY
What climate action policies or sustainability initiatives would you champion in your district and citywide? How would you address renewable energy, waste reduction, and the protection of green spaces?
Returning to La Crosse after a long absence I have noticed two things that I feel can be addressed. The loss of curb trees and the development further and further into the blufflands. I will passionately work to get the city to plant more street trees all over town, especially in commercial areas. I also feel the city can work collaboratively with the Friends of the Marshlands, the Friends of the Blufflands, the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and the county to try to halt further development in environmentally sensitive areas, especially the bluffs. If you have a view of the city from up above that comes at a cost, that is, everyone that is looking up at your McMansion instead of seeing mother nature. As they say, “you don’t know what you got until it is gone”. The driftless area is being scarred. Somewhere Mrs. Hixon is crying. My term would be laser-focused on conservation and preservation of natural areas.
EDUCATION & YOUTH SERVICES
How can the City Council collaborate with the school district and community organizations to ensure educational opportunities and services for young people? Are there district-specific needs you would focus on?
When I was teaching in Green Bay we used a program called “Project Citizen”. From their web page…“Project Citizen is a civic education program for middle, secondary, and post-secondary students, as well as youth and adult groups. Its practical, first-hand approach promotes student interest and the ability to participate competently in state, local, and federal government.
In a nutshell our students presented local civic changes in public policy for consideration by the school board and or the city council. I felt this was an excellent program that was well received by students, parents, facility, and some members of our local government. We even changed some policies based on their proposals! As a former teacher, I would be happy to be involved in training staff and working with students on such a program. More can be learned about this program by going to https://www.civiced.org/project-citizen
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
What role do you see for the City Council in fostering tech innovation and improving digital infrastructure? How could your district benefit from smart city initiatives or local tech industry development?
In all honesty, this is an area I would concede I know little about. I certainly don’t have all the answers or experience in every area. Rather than make something up, I’ll leave this question and issue to those more learned than me.
