City Council picks Lueder to fill vacancy
Newly appointed Rhinelander District 4 Alderman Bob Lueder, right, takes the oath of office administered by City Clerk Austyn Zarda. Photo courtesy hodagtv.com.
By Eileen Persike
Editor
RHINELANDER – The Rhinelander City Council unanimously selected Bob Lueder to represent District 4. Lueder fills the seat of the late Tom Kelly who resigned in late January and passed away Feb. 1 at the age of 81, after serving on the council for more than a decade.
Lueder is a downtown business owner who moved to Rhinelander five years ago. He owns Plane Parts, Inc. on Davenport Street. He said he is a “we” guy and not a “me” guy who wants to be part of the bigger picture.
“I have zero local government experience, but I also know that a strong city starts with a strong infrastructure,” Lueder told the council during his introductory remarks. “And that’s transparent government, that’s having the facilities and the training required for strong police and fire departments, which makes living easier on everybody. I think the city is great. I love this city and want to be part of the continued growth and forward momentum that this administration has already started.”
Former alderman and former Oneida County Board supervisor Bill Freudenberg also completed a required questionnaire to express interest in the seat. In his opening statement, Freudenberg said his passion is serving the local community, which includes the Lights of the Northwoods Board of Directors, the Rhinelander District Library Board of Trustees, and in the past, working with the Oneida County Fair.
“I’ve always had a passion for this community, always wanted to see it grow,”Freudenberg said. “I see the growth taking place right now. I’d really love to be part of this growth moving forward. I think we have a great council right now and would like to be a part of that.”
After both men spoke, Alderman David Holt made a motion to appoint Lueder to the District 4 seat for the remainder of the term.
“Bob is somebody that I have a great amount of respect for his integrity,” Holt said in support of his motion. “I think he’s got a wonderful temperament. He’s very deliberative in his decisions and I think that he would do very well representing his district.”
Following a unanimous vote from the council, City Clerk Austyn Zarda administered the oath of office to Lueder, who took his seat for the remainder of the meeting.
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