SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (WHBL) -- Sheboygan's Common Council president says he's happy with the way he's leaving the city after he's stepped down.
Fifth district alderman Don Hammond resigned last night at city council, getting a standing ovation from the crowd in the chambers. Hammond was first elected to the council in 2010 and quickly moved to chair the city's finance committee and then moved up to the council president position. He says had to step back after the April elections because his work is increasingly taking him out of Sheboygan and he no longer has time to devote to his position.
Hammond says there's a lot of community development that's going to be happening. "This summer we're going to see a lot of cranes in the sky, we're going to see a lot of development that's been a long time in the works. So I think economic development and our budget's position, where we're at is what I'm most proud of." Included in that growth is the new residential housing in the South Pier and and the site of the former Boston Store.
Hammond says the council has helped lay a lot of groundwork for future growth for the city. "And I look forward to the new council continuing those efforts and focusing on economic development, budgets debt constraints, those types of things." He's hoping to see that growth continue under the new president and aldermen as well. "There's a lot of good things going on, and if you stay positive and focus on the things that are going to move us forward. Again economic development the big one. The more cranes we have in the sky, the more jobs that come into the community, the vibrant we're going to be, so stay positive."
The council will be back in session tonight to elect a new president and swear in new aldermen. Tammy Rabe and Scott Lewandoske won their districts in the April elections, and the council will also select a new alderman for Hammond's seat. There are two candidates in that selection process: Curt Brauer, who serves as a manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and Andrew Schneider, who is the general manager for Lakeside Foods.