Green Bay's Schmitt talks gasification plant, Guy Zima, and new City Council
By:
Updated: April 19, 2012
Green Bay, Wis. (WFRV) Mayor Jim Schmitt was the special guest on "Your Local Election Headquarters with Tom Zalaski."
Schmitt discussed several topics including the new City Council that will be seated Tuesday, April 17. He says he is excited to work with the new council to get the city moving forward.
Four council members were voted out of office on April 3. When asked how he feels the new members will change the atmosphere Schmitt said, "I think they really want to do the people's work in a very respectful way. And you know that's very encouraging to me and to a lot whole people at City Hall."
Among the council members voted out was Guy Zima. The long-time alderman has sat on the council since 1976. He lost his re-election bid to newcomer Jim Warner.
Zima and Schmitt have been adversaries for years. The two have fought several public battles, especially over the Younkers litigation and re-development of downtown.
"I think the city changed around him," said Schmitt when asked about Zima.
The mayor also discussed the controversy surrounding the Oneida Seven Generation's gasification plant proposal.
City officials have warned that a lawsuit could come from Oneida Seven Generation if the council votes to repeal a conditional use permit that the city had granted the organization. The council voted to review the permit after residents in the Mather Heights neighborhood raised concerns about the project.
Schmitt says he does think that the plant will be built, but that the project needs to be revisited.
Click here for Part 2 of the interview.
Click here for Part 3 of the interview.
Schmitt discussed several topics including the new City Council that will be seated Tuesday, April 17. He says he is excited to work with the new council to get the city moving forward.
Four council members were voted out of office on April 3. When asked how he feels the new members will change the atmosphere Schmitt said, "I think they really want to do the people's work in a very respectful way. And you know that's very encouraging to me and to a lot whole people at City Hall."
Among the council members voted out was Guy Zima. The long-time alderman has sat on the council since 1976. He lost his re-election bid to newcomer Jim Warner.
Zima and Schmitt have been adversaries for years. The two have fought several public battles, especially over the Younkers litigation and re-development of downtown.
"I think the city changed around him," said Schmitt when asked about Zima.
The mayor also discussed the controversy surrounding the Oneida Seven Generation's gasification plant proposal.
City officials have warned that a lawsuit could come from Oneida Seven Generation if the council votes to repeal a conditional use permit that the city had granted the organization. The council voted to review the permit after residents in the Mather Heights neighborhood raised concerns about the project.
Schmitt says he does think that the plant will be built, but that the project needs to be revisited.
Click here for Part 2 of the interview.
Click here for Part 3 of the interview.
