Mayor Names Panel to Pick New Alderman as Meaux Departs

Eric Meaux bade a brief farewell Tuesday night, the Wauwatosa Common Council stood and applauded his service, and Mayor Kathy Ehley presented him with a gift bag of Tosa memorabilia.

It included a book, a baseball cap and a map to help him remember his way around when he visits.

It also contained a squeeze bottle of potent sunscreen. Meaux is moving to Arizona.

Earlier in Tuesday's council meeting, Ehley announced the selection committee that will pick Meaux's replacement as alderman for the 2nd District.

It is:

• Ald. Kathy Causier, District 2
• Ald. Pete Donegan, District 1
• Ald. Bobby Pantuso, District 5
• Ald. Tim Hanson, District 3
• Ald. Jason Wilke, District 8

City Clerk Carla Ledesma said that a timeline on the selection process is not yet set. She said she would contact the committee members Wednesday for input on their availability to meet to consider candidates.

First, there must be candidates. Anyone residing in the 2nd District is eligible to apply for consideration.

Notices of the application process will be published here on Wauwatosa Patch, on Wauwatosa NOW and on the city website.

The Aldermanic Selection Committee will interview candidates and vote, then pass on its choice to the Common Council for final approval.

The alderman selected by appointment will sit only until next April, when an election will be held to fill out the remaining three years of the term. Of course, the appointee may run to complete that term.

That term could still end up being shorter, as the council may consider in the meantime whether to reduce its number by as much as half, from 16 to eight.

In an advisory referendum April 3, more than three-quarters of residents who voted called for such a reduction.