MONROE — By the narrowest of majorities, the Monroe Common Council named its newest member, to fill the remaining term vacated by the late Mary Jane Grenzow, who died in May at age 59.

In the first round of voting on Monday, July 7, the council voted on three possible candidates — Christopher Vestin, Dennis Zimmerman, and Mark Skelton, with none of the above being an option no one picked and Vestin ultimately prevailing on a tie vote that had to be broken by the mayor. 

It would take five votes to constitute a majority for any one candidate. Zimmerman was eliminated after the first round.

The Monroe Common Council is seeking a candidate to fill an at-large position vacated upon the death of Ald. Mary Jane Grenzow.

Grenzow, the former Monroe Times editor, died May 11 after a battle with cancer. The council initially discussed a process for Grenzow’s replacement at the May 19 regular meeting, with Monday’s voting the final step.

Vestin, who wasn’t present at Monday’s meeting according to officials, will serve the remainder of Grenzow’s current term, which runs through mid-April 2026.  

He is a local businessman, the co-owner of Payne’s Family CoffeeHaus & Odditeas just off the downtown square.

Vestin would be eligible for election/re-election in Spring of 2026, when the seat will be filled by a majority vote during the regular election process. Vestin ran for election in the 2025 common council race, and was nearly elected, a point emphasized by Ald. Tom Miller in casting his ‘yes’ vote.

“…He came in two votes behind,” said Miller. “So (most of) the people voted for him.”

Ald. Richard Thoman and Ald. Lynne Klevin cast the two dissenting votes on the motion to appoint Vestin.

In other business, the council discussed the sale of park land to Badger State Ethanol in closed session and awarded Fisher Excavating of Freeport at $752,055 contract for infrastructure/concrete work — the lowest bidding contractor — according to officials. 

Mayor Donna Douglas also lauded the contributions of major corporate sponsors such as Colony Brands whose contributions made the city’s new, lighted pickleball courts a reality, along with the park and recreation staff who worked on the project for the city. The full story on the latest addition to Northeast Park can be found in the sports section of today’s newspaper, (page A8).