Mayor To Bow Out Early
By Doug Dalager
Mayor Bruce Hagen
In an announcement that ranks as the worst kept secret since Bill Clinton defined what “is” is, Mayor Bruce Hagen announced this morning his intent to step down as mayor of Superior in April of 2017.
Citing stress and fatigue as his reason for giving up his post half way through his current term, Hagen will retire half through his fourth stint as Superior’s mayor.
Hagen first served as mayor from 1975 until 1987. He was elected mayor for his third term in 2011, and reelected in 2015.
Stress and fatigue aside, Hagen never seemed to recover his former popularity after his Facebook faux paux in December 2015 when he made a controversial post about Michelle Obama.
Upon his resignation, Council President Dan Olson will take over the reigns in cooperation with the rest of the council. Given that Superior had a strong council/weak mayor system of government, the transition will likely be smooth. No word yet as to whether a special election to replace Hagen will be held.
Today’s events were seemingly foreshadowed yesterday as I drove through my east end neighborhood. I passed a house with a Jim Schwarzbauer For Mayor sign, causing me to double back and snap a picture.
Upon inquiring about the sign, I learned that Mr. Schwarzbauer is actually running for mayor of Proctor, where he is already on the city council. His daughter resides in Superior and her familial pride prompted her to plant her Dad’s sign in her front yard next to a Better City Superior sign.
So…the question of the day is…who’s going to pick up the gauntlet and lead our city in the coming year? More importantly, will someone step into city leadership and help the Better City Superior people succeed as they attempt to get their proposal passed.
Now is the time for passionate leadership in Superior.
Explore Superior will begin to ask potential candidates what their intentions are. In the past few months, we’ve heard various names bandied about as prospective mayoral candidates. The names mentioned have included Keith Kern, Brent Fennessey, Alan Jaques, and Dan Blanc. Who knows if any of them is interested…we’ll find out. Maybe we’ll find others who will throw their hats into the ring too.
(Who knows, maybe Herb Bergson will move back into town!)
You’re right, the Mayor’s image never rebounded from the Obama comments. His giant “TRUMP/PENCE” sign also isn’t reassuring to me as a citizen any more, either. However, I’m grateful for Mr. Hagen’s efforts in Superior…I do believe he’s helped our city quite a bit, but he has made the right decision to step aside.
Richard, I agree with you.
While it is unfortunate that our Mayor posted a regrettable comment on Facebook, and then doubled down on it before later partially apologizing, he has represented Superior well over several decades. We wish him well and hope he enjoys retirement…he’s earned it.
Meanwhile we are hopeful that a new and inspirational leader will emerge to lift Superior from its current doldrums. A younger candidate full of enthusiasm and optimism is what we need now.
Additionally, we need a progressive city council that has the courage to take proactive, bold, and innovative steps to redevelop our downtown. I am disappointed that no one in city government seems to be doing anything to endorse the Better City Superior initiative beyond the obligatory ttp of the hat.
Yes, the council passed a resolution in support of BCS, and the Mayor had shown tentative approval, but I’ve yet to see any of these people at public meetings boosting BCS. Growth and progress requires commitment…going with the flow doesn’t help when you’re paddling upstream.
I repeat…who will be our next Mayor, and will he or she bring the prerequisite aspiration for change and improveent, inspiration to encourage and motivate, and perspiration to get the job done?