By Kris Leonhardt

STEVENS POINT – A longtime Stevens Point resident has announced his candidacy for the 2023 race for the city’s mayoral seat.

Kevin Plasky, formerly known as Keith, was raised in Stevens Point and graduated from SPASH in 2008.

He spent a few years at Mid-State Technical College, taking firefighter courses. Plasky spent six years with the Park Ridge Fire Department and currently works at Stevens Point Cintas.

“I want to see business grow and the city grow in a healthy environment,” he said. 

Plasky said that he would work to “fix alley ways for people’s drive ways; help lower taxes on Stevens Point homeowners; help better and bring awareness to the youth to help keep them away from drugs and alcohol; bring more family entertainment; and hopefully help fix the city budget, cleaner parks, safer parks.” 

Although Plasky doesn’t have any political experience, he added “maybe that’s what the city needs is someone with no experience, so no favoritism on decision making. (Someone who) really wants to help all people in Point.

“I feel that Sentry and UWSP have a big impact over decision making in the city and the city council rarely listens to what the people want. We have to start listening to the people’s voice; there is a reason Plover is slowly over growing Stevens Point.”

The Stevens Point mayor serves as the full-time chief executive officer of the city and presides over city council meetings. The mayor also serves as the chairman of the city’s board of public works and the city plan commission. 

There are no limits restricting the number of four-year terms an individual may serve. The current mayor, Mike Wiza, was elected to the position in April 2015 and re-elected in 2019.

Wiza is a lifelong resident of Stevens Point, attending SPASH and UW-Stevens Point, and working in the IT industry before becoming mayor. He also served as a city alderman for over a decade before his election to the mayor’s seat.

Although Wiza hasn’t officially announced his candidacy for reelection; he has confirmed with the Gazette that he will be entering the race as well.

“He’s a good guy with great intentions,” Wiza said of Plasky.

“I hope we don’t have to wait for an election to start working together.”