Unfinished business lures Van Engen to another term

For the past five years, 1st District Alderman Terry Van Engen has been driven to create and maintain economic opportunities in the city of Sheboygan Falls.

The Sheboygan Falls Economic Development Committee chairman has been a key player in the city’s efforts to keep the local business community prosperous.

He is the first to say the job of bolstering business in Sheboygan Falls is far from easy.

“As everyone knows, it is a difficult time right now for many people,” Van Engen said. “I have a strong interest in Vision Business Park, but the number of businesses looking to expand or start up new are very few and far between or altogether non-existent right now.

“Our job is to continue to focus on making Vision Business Park an attractive option for a business that is growing and seeking a place to expand,” he said. “In the next two years, there might be one or two businesses out there that might be interested. We need to keep a positive attitude and continue to work hard toward our goal of attracting business to our city.”

Van Engen, a 1986 Sheboygan Falls High School graduate, is running unopposed for a third full term on the city of Sheboygan Falls Common Council, in the upcoming April 6 spring election.

He is looking forward to tackling a full plate of key issues over the course of the upcoming two-year term.

“This year contract negotiations with the city’s union employees will be very important,” Van Engen said. “It will be a time-consuming process, but one we need to do right in order to keep our spending in line, while retaining quality employees.

“When it comes to contract negotiations, it is always a difficult balance,” he said.

Van Engen is also keeping a close eye on the state’s long-range plan for the State 23 corridor.

“I am concerned about the plan for 23,” he said. “Part of the plan is calling for access to the highway to be limited.

“We need to retain some of those key access points for the sake of Vision Business Park, Bemis and some of our other businesses that rely on the highway for daily transportation and commerce.”

Van Engen, who is the vice president and branch manager of Collins State Bank in Random Lake, has served on the Council since 2005, when he was appointed by Mayor Randy Meyer to fill a vacant seat.

He believes solid long-range planning is a vital element for the city’s future stability.

“I think we need to develop a long-term plan for our city leadership and departments,” Van Engen said. “Some of our facilities need to be looked at as well.”

According to Van Engen, who also serves on the Sheboygan Falls Park Board, a new park could be on the city’s horizon in the near future.

“We are looking at putting in another park on the north side of the city,” he said. “We are working with some local organizations to make this happen.

“I think it would be a very nice addition to the city. It could happen relatively soon, maybe within the next year or two.”

In addition to his Council duties, Van Engen is also a member of the Sheboygan Falls School Foundation Board and the Sheboygan Falls United Way Board of Directors.

“I have been a Sheboygan Falls resident all my life,” he said. “I’m proud to be an active member of the community.

“I’m pleased to have the opportunity to use my business background to help the city any way I can.”

As a city government representative, Van Engen is eager to hear feedback from community members.

“I always encourage people to get more involved in their community,” he said. “I think it is important to take an interest in what is going on and develop and initiative to help out and contribute.

“Right now, I’m very confident in the way the city is being run. We have a very strong council, an excellent team of managers and a dedicated group of employees. However, there’s a lot of work to be done and plenty of unfinished business to address.”