City of West Bend Welcomes New Mayor and Aldermen
West Bend Seeks Candidates to Fill District 4 Aldermanic Vacancy

West Bend, Wis. (April 22, 2020): At the Common Council organizational meeting on Tuesday, April 21, 2020, several new and re-elected council members were sworn in and took part in the virtual board meeting. Former District 4 Alderman Christophe E. Jenkins began his three-year term as Mayor. He took the Oath of Office in a private ceremony with his family and City Clerk Stephanie Justmann in advance of the Common Council meeting. Newly-elected District 3 Alderman Brett Bergquist and District 5 Alderman Jed Dolnick started their two-year terms as well as re-elected aldermen John Butschlick (District 1) and Justice Madl (District 7).

"I am looking forward to leading our City during this unprecedented time and helping to create our new normal built upon the successes of the past,” said Mayor Jenkins. “Work has already begun to ensure a smooth transition, and I am eager to collaborate with local residents and community leaders to move West Bend forward."

Mayor Christophe E. Jenkins was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Throughout his childhood, his family lived in communities along the East coast until 2001 when they settled in West Bend. A 2007 graduate of West Bend West High School, Jenkins went on to study Political Science from the University of Wisconsin–Washington County and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Jenkins is an active community citizen and began his career in public service as a poll worker and chief election inspector. In 2011, Jenkins was appointed to the West Bend Community Memorial Library Board, and after six months, he was elected Board President and served for three full terms. Jenkins has also served as a Washington County Board Supervisor and was President of Common Sense Citizens of Washington County.

In 2015, Jenkins was elected as District 4 Alderman, serving the City of West Bend Common Council for nearly three full terms before running for Mayor. During his time as Alderman, Jenkins served on the Finance Committee, Board of Public Works, and the Long Range Transportation Committee. In addition to his leadership role in West Bend, Jenkins works as Municipal Administrator for the Village of Elmwood Park where he leverages his collaborative leadership style and strategic-thinking approach to support growth in the community.

Jenkins also serves as President of Musical Masquers Theater Company and President of West Bend Early-Risers Kiwanis. He is a devotee of community theater, and supporter of the arts, parks system, and local business community. Jenkins is a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and lives in West Bend with his wife, Leann, and their five young children.
 
With the election of Mayor Jenkins, a District 4 Aldermanic vacancy now exists for the remainder of the two-year term expiring in April 2021. The Common Council seeks interested individuals who reside in District 4 to fill the vacancy. The Council will review required materials and interview candidates at the Common Council meeting on May 18, 2020. The successful appointee will represent District 4 for the remainder of the term. To be eligible to serve, an individual at the time of the appointment must be:

• A citizen of the United States and the state of Wisconsin;
• An elector of the city of West Bend; and
• A resident of District 4.

Official maps of the districts are available at the City of West Bend Clerk’s Office and the District 4 map is available online here. Those interested in being considered for the District 4 aldermanic appointment are required to submit the following materials:

• Letter of interest with brief summary of what they feel they bring to the position
• Resume or statement of qualifications

Required materials are due to the City Clerk by Friday, May 8, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. and can be delivered in the 24/7 drop box outside of City Hall or mailed to City of West Bend, City Clerk’s Office, 1115 S. Main Street, West Bend, Wisconsin 53095. Required materials may also be emailed to wbclk@ci.west-bend.wi.us.