Port council president says he won’t run for re-election

Port Washington Common Council President Mike Ehrlich said Tuesday he will not seek re-election this spring.

Ehrlich, who has represented the city’s 1st District since 2009, filed his non-candidacy papers Tuesday night.

“I’ve got mixed emotions,” he said. “But after much deliberation with my family, we decided it was time for me to step down and concentrate on my family.”

“Over the last 10 years, I’ve tried to look at every situation on its merits and truly do what is best for the city as a whole. Some decisions were easy, and some were extremely difficult.”

During his tenure, Ehrlich said, the city “has grown into a better place to live, work and play. The building blocks have been laid to become a stronger, self-sustaining city in the future.”

Ehrlich said the city’s accomplished much during his time on the council, including the creation of a new senior center, residential developments such as the planned Prairie’s Edge and Cedar Vineyard subdivisions, the Lakepointe Condominiums and Lake Harbor Lofts projects in the marina district.

“And over the last 10 years, maybe the taxes have gone up twice,” he said. “That’s something I strived for, being fiscally responsible while still being able to move ahead and provide the services everyone enjoys in Port.”

Ehrlich, an architect, said he has served on virtually every city committee except the Finance and License Committee during his tenure.

“I will try to serve in some capacity into the future,” he said, adding, “I’m done for now, but I won’t say I’m done forever.”

Ehrlich is the second most senior alderman. Only Ald. Paul Neumyer, who represents the 2nd District, has been on the council longer.

The other aldermen whose terms will be up in spring are Mike Gasper, 3rd District; Jonathan Pleitner, 5th District; and John Sigwart, 7th District. 

Pleitner has returned his nomination papers, and Gasper and Sigwart have both taken out papers. 

Nomination papers for the four seats can be circulated beginning Saturday, Dec. 1. They are due at City Hall at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 2.

If more than two candidates seek the same office, a primary election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19.

The general election will be held April 2.