Public hearing scheduled to gather input

By Eileen Persike, editor

RHINELANDER – The community will have a chance to weigh in on potentially renaming a street or park to honor a Rhinelander family. The common council agreed to hold a public hearing Aug. 26 at City Hall. The council will gather input on how to best honor the Rouman family following the recent unexpected loss of Rouman Cinema owner George Rouman, 51, and the death last year of Mike Rouman, 87. The father and son were the second and third generation of Roumans to own movie theaters in Rhinelander – which the family did for 100 years.

A self-described lifelong Hodag, Brian Bennett spoke during public comment at the council’s June 24 meeting on behalf of others in the community.

“It really cannot be overstated the positive impact on our community the Rouman family has had,” Bennett said. “And a lot of folks, as they oftentimes do when we have a sudden tragedy in our community, the desire to do something came up.”

Folks started talking about renaming a street to honor the Rouman family; specifically, Eisenhower Parkway. The Rouman Drive-In was located on what is now one end of Eisenhower. The other end is Lincoln Street, where Rouman Cinema sits today, Bennett noted. An online petition gathered nearly 1,000 signatures in less than a week. Bennett asked for it to be put on the next council agenda.

“Let’s make sure we do something audacious for the family; not something easy,” he said. “Running that theater and bringing joy to our town for 100 years was not easy. We should reflect back to them the effort that they gave us.”

Josh Wanty, who said he went to school with George Rouman, also addressed the council. His suggestion was to rename West Side Park after the Roumans, since their back yard was adjacent to the park.

During the July 15 common council meeting District 6 Alderperson David Holt said he felt Eisenhower Parkway was the best option.

“Just renaming a park, that’s a little too easy and seems a little bit trite,” Holt said. “The fact that there are no residences on Eisenhower is really beneficial. I’m in favor of moving ahead with the name change.”

Alder Luke Kramer, who represents District 7, said in his opinion West Side Park is the better idea.

That would not require residents, or business [to] change except for the actual West Side Park sign,” Kramer said. “That sign is in need of being replaced and we could do something very spectacular. And being that it’s an easier fix doesn’t mean that it’s cheap or less, it just means that it could be the right decision.”

District 8 Alderperson Steven Jopek said whichever way the city moves forward, he has one request.

“From a history perspective, I’d like to see the Rouman family immortalized in Rhinelander with some kind of plaque, some kind of historical – not even a monument – but something that tells the story, so that people understand why it is named that and why that’s significant to our city,” Jopek said.

When the original petition began, District 3 Alder Carrie Mikalauski noted, there was only one option for renaming.

“West Side is in my district and in speaking with some of my neighbors, and the fact that the Rouman family’s backyard is West Side Park, as far as I am being told, they like and really kind of want that park named for them,” Mikalauski said. “I think by doing that, it could have the plaque or some sort of historical element included. And I just think it is a good fit; I’m not opposed to renaming Eisenhower Parkway but either way, I think the park should probably be renamed.”

The public hearing will take place Aug. 26. For more information on the time and details, visit rhinelanderwi.us.