Stanley Wisconsin was a new council president, and his name is Jacob Huff. The decision was made at the February 1 meeting.

Chosen to succeed Kent Barby at least until the April election– after which the Council will re-vote on a president from among its ranks–Huff will stand by to preside in case of the inability or incapacity of current Stanley Mayor Al Haas. City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Nicole Thiel opened and read the sealed ballots at Council.

“For the ballots voted on we have one Mark Fitzsimmons, one Holly Kitchell, one Kevin Hendrickson, one Laurie Foster, one Jacob Huff, and two Jacob Huff,” she said of the results.

“Jacob’s our new president,” Haas announced of the close vote.

“I resign,” Huff plaintively offered as a reaction to the narrow win–although as Plato wrote, the candidate least interested in attaining power, is often the best and safest one for the job.

In unrelated business the City Council opted not to move on a golf cart ordinance on Monday February 1, as more questions need to be answered and the details worked out prior to anything being finalized, lest the city put something out and then have to repeal it–not the best plan.

At the same time, Jody Halterman spoke during public comment regarding his thoughts on the matter, beringing up that while former IGA grocery store owner Rod Fredrickson was still alive he had taken to using a golf cart on city streets,even as the definition of ‘golf cart’ in general terms was part of the issue. Jack up the tires or make other modifications?

“Still a golf cart,” Halterman said. Halterman’s dad Don “Buzzy” Halterman told those present that a conveyance he would like to have licensed as such had all the necessary requirements, minus the low-speed vehicle status. City Clerk Nicole Thiel also shared her own concerns on the matter.

“What about drunk driving?” she said, with the takeaway that a golf cart license couldn’t just become a way for those who had gotten their license revoked for OWI to get around. Anything final would be municipality to municipality, while local registration would give the city police department a way to keep track of golf carts in the city.

“Al would be 101,” First Ward Alderman Mark Ftizsimmons shared his thoughts. “You would be 102.” As of the present, nothing has been put on the books for golf carts as possible city transport.

“Congratulations, Jacob,” Haas said of the alderman’s elevation to his new post as president.