By Andrew Hellpap
newseditor@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - In the face of an uncertain future, Monroe Main Street's board of directors Monday solidified its leadership until Jan. 1.
At its board meeting at city hall Monday, members unanimously elected interim chairman Ryan Wilson to take over until the next election of board officers in January. The board also elected Ron Spielman as vice-chairman.
The elections of Wilson and Spielman follow Dr. David Riese's decision to step down as chairman June 15, a move that followed the resignation of Barb Nelson, Main Street's former executive director, who announced June 10 she would leave the group July 3. Riese remains on the board.
Main Street will now focus on discussing possible consolidation or collaboration with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or whether it is best to strike out on its own as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, according to board discussion Monday. The board voted June 21 to develop a plan to become a non-profit group by Oct. 1.
Three board members, Wilson, Dan Henke and JoAnne Leuenberger, volunteered to meet with three representatives of the chamber to discuss the intricacies of a possible collaboration with Main Street.
"Seriously, we need to consider it," said Mike Doyle, board member and Green County clerk.
The group will update the board of directors at an upcoming monthly meeting.
Meanwhile, Wilson will also meet with Rex Ewald, city attorney, to discuss the bylaws Ewald has been working on, which would allow Main Street to become a non-profit organization. Main Street is currently under the umbrella of the City of Monroe.
Also, in the near future, the board would like to discuss and define the focus the group should take in directing and promoting the downtown area and activities there, Wilson said.
"Main Street should be the driving force downtown," he said.
newseditor@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - In the face of an uncertain future, Monroe Main Street's board of directors Monday solidified its leadership until Jan. 1.
At its board meeting at city hall Monday, members unanimously elected interim chairman Ryan Wilson to take over until the next election of board officers in January. The board also elected Ron Spielman as vice-chairman.
The elections of Wilson and Spielman follow Dr. David Riese's decision to step down as chairman June 15, a move that followed the resignation of Barb Nelson, Main Street's former executive director, who announced June 10 she would leave the group July 3. Riese remains on the board.
Main Street will now focus on discussing possible consolidation or collaboration with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, or whether it is best to strike out on its own as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, according to board discussion Monday. The board voted June 21 to develop a plan to become a non-profit group by Oct. 1.
Three board members, Wilson, Dan Henke and JoAnne Leuenberger, volunteered to meet with three representatives of the chamber to discuss the intricacies of a possible collaboration with Main Street.
"Seriously, we need to consider it," said Mike Doyle, board member and Green County clerk.
The group will update the board of directors at an upcoming monthly meeting.
Meanwhile, Wilson will also meet with Rex Ewald, city attorney, to discuss the bylaws Ewald has been working on, which would allow Main Street to become a non-profit organization. Main Street is currently under the umbrella of the City of Monroe.
Also, in the near future, the board would like to discuss and define the focus the group should take in directing and promoting the downtown area and activities there, Wilson said.
"Main Street should be the driving force downtown," he said.