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Olsen retains seat on Whitewater council

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James Olsen

WHITEWATER — Alderman Jim Olsen on Tuesday retained his seat on Whitewater’s City Council, which he said allows him to shift his attention back to the uncertain future of the city’s financial position.

Olsen held off political newcomer Michael Leblanc in the city council’s only contested race. With so many questions surrounding the state budget, Olsen said his top priority now is to keep Whitewater fiscally healthy—something he believes the board has been able to accomplish so far.

“I’m looking forward to trying to keep a fiscal government working at the utmost that it’s been able to do,” Olsen said. “We’ll see what happens when things come down as far as what (the state) may do with taxes, and where we are then.”

Leblanc, a Whitewater native who has never held an elected position, became interested in the seat when councilmember-at-large Marilyn Kienbaum encourage him to run. He praised Olsen’s work, but said he wanted to bring more businesses to the city, tighten spending on the aquatic center and clean up local lakes.

The Gazette could not reach Leblanc for comment Tuesday.

Four other Whitewater City Council seats were up during Tuesday’s election. James Winship, District 3; council President Patrick Singer, District 5; and councilmember-at-large Marilyn Kienbaum all ran unopposed.

Javonni Butler, District 2, ran as a registered write-in. Results were not immediately available.