APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – On the eve of a new era in Green Bay, one area Mayor is hoping to keep the connections that he had with Mayor Jim Schmitt.
Eric Genrich will be sworn in as Green Bay’s next Mayor Tuesday afternoon.
Appleton Mayor Tim Hannah says Green Bay and Appleton are separate cities but they share quite a bit, including residents and employees and says because of that, he has always worked well without outgoing Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt.
“We attended a lot of conferences together and acted in the League of Municipalities together,” Hannah said. “We have always had a good relationship.”
Mayor Hannah says many Appleton residents work in Green Bay or Green Bay residents work in Appleton.
“If you look at the commuting patterns on I-41, there is heavy traffic going both ways both in the morning and in the evening.”
He says he would like to work towards that same working relationship with the new Mayor.
“Very early on I would love to sit down and have a conversation, and it is all about relationships and getting to know each other,” Mayor Hannah said. “I think it is in our best interest for a lot of reasons to share information, work together, know what each other is up to and try to minimize the competitive nature of our relationship.”
Mayor Eric Genrich will take his oath of office this afternoon along with County Executive Troy Strekenbach.
