The Stanley Tourism Commission, made up of Mayor Mike Henke, Alderperson Jacob Huff, former Mayor Al Haas, Robert Allen, Parulben Patel, and Dr. Wayne Hove, convened on Dec. 4 at Stanley City Hall with Allen and Patel absent. City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim presented to the Tourism Commission the idea of purchasing additional holiday lights and banners for Broadway Street. “I drove through town and realized that our lights kind of look….bad,” she admitted.
Pilgrim explained that the banners would cost $105 each from Print Wisconsin in Stanley and suggested reaching out to local businesses to see if they would like their logos featured on the banners. She noted that Print Wisconsin also produced the senior and library banners.
“They do a nice job,” Hove added in support.
“Is that going to buy much?” asked Haas noting that $7,500 was requested for the holiday lights. “The city Christmas lights or any municipal lights, last time we looked in the books, they were spendy.”
Hove mentioned that there are companies that will install and remove the lights.
Haas responded that the city used to contract a company to do it, but the city crew does it now every year. “I think we are better off owning our own. We’ve got the crew.”
Pilgrim added that she planned to check out options at Menards first. “It’s better to look there before spending $4,000 on a new one.”
Haas questioned how long the cheaper lights would last. “They get beat really bad on those poles.”
Hove reiterated that a private company could handle the storage and installation, sparing the city from having to manage it.
“That’s probably going to cost six times the amount that we want to spend,” commented Pilgrim.
“Well, you don’t know. You never got a bid,” Hove countered.
Henke noted that in the past, the city had spent $30,000 to $40,000 on holiday lights.
Dr. Hove stated, “Somebody’s still going to have to decide if you’re buying quality stuff.”
“Yeah, we don’t want to spend $7,500 just to have something and next year it’s no good,” Haas agreed with Hove.
Pilgrim mentioned there are 46 poles to consider.
Henke added, “So, you’re probably not going to replace them all in one year,” a point the committee agreed on.
Dr. Hove emphasized that he was not opposed to spending the money, but it should be for quality items that will last.
Hove then motioned to approve the spending of up to $7,500 for holiday lighting and the commission approved the motion.
Noting that Pilgrim manages the city website on her own, Hove praised her efforts saying that she is doing an excellent job.
“When you look up the hotel though, you almost have to have a puke bucket next door,” he said referring to the AmericInn in Stanley and the negative reviews the hotel received in previous years.
“That’s not current. That’s ancient history,” he said, suggesting that those reviews should be taken down. “That doesn’t reflect good on the city at all.”
He expressed concern that people might choose to stay at the hotel in Thorp instead, given the reviews. “But wait a minute. If that happens you just lost 3% revenue that could’ve been in Stanley to make Stanley look better. You just donated it to Thorp now,” he said.
The 3% revenue refers to the room tax the city collects that funds the Tourism Commission.
Hove pointed out that each room not rented, with guests opting for other hotels, represents lost revenue for Stanley.
Haas said there isn’t anything the city can do about removing the reviews.
Hove mentioned the possibility of meeting with the hotel owner to discuss these issues.
“He’s supposed to be here tonight,” remarked Haas.
“Well, he hasn’t been here ever,” Hove answered. “That tells you how important it is for him to improve the City of Stanley.” He added, “That comes under tourism and that comes under revenue and that comes under making things better.”
With a motion from Haas, the Tourism Commission approved the purchase of flowers from Reit’s Garden Center for the Broadway Street flowerpots in 2025, totaling $780.
Hove inquired, “Who waters that? Does the city get involved?”
“The City does some,” Pilgrim responded and added that some area businesses water the ones in front of their buildings.
The commission also approved funds to participate in the GO Chippewa County Travel Guide for 2025 and 2026. GO Chippewa County Travel Guide is a comprehensive resource that highlights the diverse attractions available in Chippewa County.
Haas also suggested setting aside funds to improve the flower box under the city sign, saying, “That’s kind of the welcome to Stanley and it would look nice if it was done.”
He proposed asking the landscaping crew at Stanley-Boyd High School to take on the project. “That would give them a little project,” he commented and mentioned setting a $1,000 budget for the work.