KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha’s aldermen officially took office Tuesday night during the Common Council’s organizational meeting, beginning a new two-year term for the city’s legislative body.
The meeting featured the swearing-in of representatives from all 17 districts across the city following the recent spring election. Julia Metallo was the only truly new member of the council. Daniel Prozanski also joined the council this term, though he previously served as an alderman.
The new council includes Eric Haugaard in District 1, Bill Siel in District 2, Jan Michalski in District 3, Rex Davenport in District 4, Rocco LaMacchia Sr. in District 5, Brandi Rose Ferree in District 6, Kelly MacKay in District 7, Peni Keeling in District 8, Keith Rosenberg in District 9, Anthony Kennedy in District 10, Rollin Pizzala in District 11, Ruth Dyson in District 12, Curt Wilson in District 13, Daniel Prozanski in District 14, Julia Metallo in District 15, Dominic Ruffalo in District 16 and Art DeBaere in District 17.
The council also selected a new council president for the coming term, elevating longtime Ald. Keith Rosenberg to the largely ceremonial role after 14 years on the council. Rosenberg had long been passed over for the position despite his seniority and tenure on the body.
Under state law, the mayor presides over Common Council meetings, not the council president. The council president instead serves in a backup role, presiding only in the mayor’s absence and assuming mayoral duties if the mayor is unable to serve.
The position has historically not translated into visible leadership during major city events. Mayor David Bogdala previously served as council president during the 2020 unrest in Kenosha but did little publicly during the riots. Then-Mayor John Antaramian also faced criticism for his handling of the unrest.
The council also made committee and commission leadership assignments for the new term.
Curt Wilson was named chair of the Finance Committee, while Peni Keeling will lead the Public Works Committee. Dominic Ruffalo was selected to chair the Board of Water Commissioners, and Bill Siel was named chair of the Stormwater Utility Committee.
Rocco LaMacchia Sr. will chair the Public Safety and Welfare Committee, Eric Haugaard will chair the Parks Commission and Anthony Kennedy will serve as chair of the Licenses and Permits Committee.
Here are some throw-backs to when this author was on the City Council. A lot of the same faces. I was the only conservative from 2012 to 2018. Today, all Aldermen are Democrats.
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7 Responses
Mayor McCheese? I can’t help it…
Kenosha Clown Car
Worthless Ruth !
It shows how unserious and sold out this a council is that they selected the guy with the worst attendance record as their council president. It’s also absurd how powerless the council president is- there should be much more separation of power between the council and the mayor.
Kenosha’s city council needs a reckoning and it has nothing to do with partisan politics.
So many people run but the same people stay in office,sometimes I wonder if it’s rigged
Can anyone give an example of an alderperson actually being helpful? Seems like a “good ol boys” club to me. A bunch of retired old men just wanting to act like they have power but don’t actually do anything to better themselves City. The roads are trash, no grocery store downtown, both hospitals are across the street from each other. So dumb to remove the hospital from down town. We need new leadership and fresh faces on City Council. Start by having council meetings at a time where people who work can attend them.