GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After 16 years as Green Bay’s Mayor, Jim Schmitt has just a few weeks to go.
Friday night Schmitt held a private farewell party for friends, family, and colleagues at Hotel Northland.
The party was held at the Hotel Northland in downtown Green Bay.
A fitting backdrop for a project that lasted for much of the mayor’s tenure, and was finally completed this year.
Mayor Schmitt reflected on his 16 years in office with 350 of his closest friends, family and colleagues.
He says politics is a tough business but he hopes Green Bay is better than it was before he took office.
But what’s next?
“When I look back I was in the private sector and then I had a successful career there and as mayor of Green Bay and if you put those two together I think I have a really good skills set and I want to take that somewhere where I can really help you know an organization a community,” Schmitt said. “Private sector, public I’m not sure yet. I’m going to take the summer off, that I am sure, and relax a little bit and then start looking around.”
On Tuesday a new man will be elected as Green Bay Mayor.
And for one former city council member, he says it’ll be a good day when Schmitt leaves office.
“Well today there’s just a bunch of people that are coming to celebrate the turnover and hopefully to better government in the future,” said Guy Zima.
He celebrated the mayor’s departure with brats.
Ironic as the former city council member was arrested for trying to steal brats and beef decades ago.
The mayor’s party was paid for with private donations.
