Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Giese, Muth emerge in mayor race, will campaign to replace Bialecki in Onalaska

By SAMANTHA MARCUS | La Crosse Tribune

ONALASKA, Wis. — Mike Giese and Bob Muth will face off in the April 1 election to replace Onalaska Mayor Jim Bialecki.

The two council members bested political newcomer Calvin King to advance in Tuesday’s primary.

They’re already scheduled to appear at a public forum at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Pertzsch Elementary School, 524 Main St.

For full La Crosse County results, click here.

“I look forward to that, because it’s an opportunity for the voters to meet and evaluate Bob and I, head to head,” Giese said.

Giese, a six-year council member, took a solid lead in Tuesday’s contest with 2,013 votes, or 47.9 percent.

Muth, elected to the council less than a year ago, took 1,374 votes, or 32.7 percent.

“I’m delighted with the numbers,” he said.

King drew 795 votes, or 18.9 percent.

Two-term Mayor Bialecki announced in November he wouldn’t seek another term.

Giese had lost a previous mayoral bid in 2004, with 1,420 votes to Bialecki’s 1,630.

Leading up to the spring vote Giese said he’ll stress his experience in managing organizations and orchestrating budgets as an “agent of improvement.”

A 17-year resident of Onalaska, Giese spent much of his career in health care administration. He also is a member of the Onalaska/La Crosse Joint Cooperative Commission, Onalaska Rotary and the Mississippi Valley Conservancy.

Muth spent 27 of his 30 years in Onalaska with the police department.

“I’m out on the streets, and I think that’s the difference between Mr. Giese and myself,” Muth said.

Samantha Marcus can be reached at (608) 791-8220 or smarcus@lacrossetribune.com.