Mayor Shane Blaser has proclaimed September 17th, 2021, Constitution Day, which marks the 234th anniversary of its signing. September 17-23 is designated as Constitution Week.

​Be on the look out for a brief video on Constitution Day, as well as additional programming on Wisconsin Rapids Community Media.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- Mayor Shane Blaser has issued a proclamation for "National Recovery Month.”
 
The mayor has proclaimed the month of September 2021 to be “NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH” in the City of Wisconsin Rapids and call upon the people of Wisconsin Rapids to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies to support this year’s Recovery Month theme, Recovery is for Everyone: every person, every family, every community. This year’s theme is a reminder to people in recovery and those who support them that no one is alone in the journey through recovery.
 
For more information please visit: ​https://threebridgesrecoverywi.com/

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids recognizes Battalion Chief Benjamin Goodreau for earning the professional designation of Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Commission of Professional Credentialing (CPC). Goodreau is one of only 1,554 CFOs worldwide and the first member of the City of Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department to earn the designation.
 
“Since starting my career with the City of Wisconsin Rapids in 2006, I have had the opportunity to continue to educate myself, as well as travel across the state and nation to network with other public safety organizations. Our Fire Department has generated a positive culture, focused on professionalism and proficiency, to provide our community with the highest level of public service. It is the actions I witness daily in our emergency response and the display of utmost sincere compassion at every level, which sets us apart. Although being credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer has been a professional goal of mine, the recognition is reflective of the organization itself. I am grateful to the City, our department and elected officials, both past and present, for the opportunity and support that has made the CFO distinction possible,” said Goodreau.   
 
According to the Center for Public Safety Excellence, the CFO designation program is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate their excellence in seven measured components: experience, education, professional development, professional contributions, association memberships, community involvement and technical competence. In addition, all applicants are required to identify a future professional development plan. The CFO designation is valid for three years. Maintaining the designation requires recipients to show continued growth in the areas of professional development, professional contributions, active association membership and community involvement, as well as adhere to a strict code of professional conduct.
 
City of Wisconsin Rapids Fire Chief Scott Young said, “I would like to recognize Battalion Chief Ben Goodreau for receiving the respected  designation of Chief Fire Officer. Ben is committed to professional development and has worked diligently to meet the necessary standards in order to gain Chief Fire Officer credentialing. We are proud of all of our officers at the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department and this award demonstrates the department’s motto: Commitment to Excellence. Ben’s hard work and determination has been validated  with this award.”
 
Learn more about the CFO designation at www.cpse.org/credentialing/

WISCONSIN RAPIDS/PARK FALLS – The Wisconsin Legislature passed the “Mill Bill” on June 29, 2021, which would provide a $50 million loan to a buyer for the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill and $15 million loan to a buyer for the Park Falls paper mill. Both of these mills are currently idle, ravaged by the economic fallout over the last year. The impacts on both communities have been severe, with thousands of manufacturing jobs lost, thousands of logging jobs severely impacted, and leaving two enormous facilities idle in the middle of both communities.

We are calling on the Governor to sign the legislation as quickly as possible, to ensure that confidence is restored to both communities and the affected workers and loggers. We understand that there have been legitimate concerns raised on both sides, as it relates to the details of this bill. However, the urgency of this bill necessitates an urgent response – the Governor should sign the bill that the Wisconsin Legislature has passed.

“Time is of the essence, the workers cannot wait any longer,” said Mayor Michael Bablick, Park Falls, “if the Governor signs this bill, I believe it is possible to see the mill at partial production by mid-late August and major capital improvements starting earlier than that.”

“The idling of our city’s paper mill has already had a profound financial and social impact on our community, our region and our state. This bill poses an opportunity to inspire hope in our community while bringing back family-sustaining jobs and ensuring our paper professionals’ expertise stays local. Now is the time to act on this bill, “ said Mayor Shane Blaser, Wisconsin Rapids.

The Rapids Together Task Force now has a webpage set up for Wisconsin residents to quickly express your support of the bill. If you support the bill, please sign the form, hit “submit” and share the link with your networks. Sign the letter of support here: legis.wisconsin.gov/rapidstogether/contact-the-governor/
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Learn more about the Rapids Together Task Force here: legis.wisconsin.gov/rapidstogether

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The City of Wisconsin Rapids Mayor Shane Blaser encourages Governor Tony Evers to sign the “mill bill” (2021 Assembly Bill 367, AB 367), which would provide a $50 million loan to a buyer for the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill and $15 million loan to a buyer for the Park Falls paper mill.

Both of these mills are currently idle, having a profound impact on our communities, our region and our state. The mill bill has now been passed by the State Assembly and concurred in by the State Senate, and it is headed to Governor Evers to either sign it into law or to veto it.

Mayor Blaser understands that there have been legitimate concerns raised on both sides, as it relates to the details of this bill. However, the urgency of this bill necessitates an urgent response – the Governor should sign the bill that the Wisconsin Legislature has passed.

The Rapids Together Task Force now has a webpage set up for Wisconsin residents to quickly express your support of the bill. If you support the bill, please sign the form, hit “submit” and share the link with your networks.

Sign the letter of support here: legis.wisconsin.gov/rapidstogether/contact-the-governor/

“The idling of our city’s paper mill has already had a profound financial and social impact on our community, our region and our state. This bill poses an opportunity to inspire hope in our community while bringing back family-sustaining jobs and ensuring our paper professionals’ expertise stays local. Now is the time to act on this bill, “ said Mayor Blaser.

An estimated 2,686 jobs statewide are affected by the idling of the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill, which creates lost earnings for Wisconsin’s people and lost tax revenues for Wisconsin’s municipalities. The Wisconsin Rapids paper mill also consumed one-quarter of the pulpwood cut annually in Wisconsin, advancing timber and transportation industries throughout the state, while making an important impact on Wisconsin forestry.

​Learn more about the Rapids Together Task Force here: legis.wisconsin.gov/rapidstogether