STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — After more than 80 minutes of discussion and debate, the Stevens Point Personnel Committee took no action on a proposal to implement a City Administrator in 2027.

The discussion included input from Superior Mayor Jim Paine, who said his city explored the same discussion several years ago before voting it down via referendum. He noted that residents didn’t like the idea of not having a full-time elected leader, no matter how much they agree or disagree with the Mayor. “During the conversation, the public was furious about this. The idea of reducing their Mayor, whoever that may be, to part-time status- to not work full-time in their interests. That was really offensive to the people of Superior. The referendum failed a little more than 70-30.”

Many residents who spoke during public comment said the same thing, nothing that Mayor Mike Wiza is open and accessible day or night. “[He is] strongly active in the community, and I would say firsthand he is likely working more than 40 hours per week. People tag him [on Facebook] 24 hours a day, and he responds. You can find him in the grocery store, at a ribbon cutting ceremony, meeting with business owners, and if you stop him on the street to talk he doesn’t say ‘Oh I’m not working right now, I’m busy.’ He stops to meet with his [constituents],” said one person.