Accelerate July 2021 Magazine

2021 is an exciting year as we celebrate 125 years as the City of Waukesha with the theme “Looking Back - Reaching Forward.” In 1896, the Village of Waukesha was officially incorporated as a city. The first City Council was convened on February 4, 1896. At that meeting, the first Mayor of Waukesha, John Brehm, stated “We convene at a time of great importance in the life of our quiet and prosperous city…. and we will be held to a strict account for all our actions.” As we look back over the past 125 years, Waukesha has strived to uphold the words of Mayor John Brehm and to always make improvements to our great city that leave it better for ourselves, our children, and grandchildren. We have strived as a city government to honor the power entrusted to us by the people and remain committed to our mission statement which is “enhancing the community’s quality of life through efficient, effective and responsive government.” I am honored to play a small role in our history as we strive to leave Waukesha better than we found it. Today, the City of Waukesha is an award-winning community and the seventh largest city in the state with a population of just over 72,000 people. The City is the manufacturing hub of Waukesha County and home to many of the area’s largest employers. Waukesha also features a thriving historic downtown, scenic Riverwalk, lively concerts and festivals, diverse housing stock, great schools and an excellent parks system. The City is successful because of partners like the Waukesha County Business Alliance and our businesses and residents. By serving as a vital link between city government and businesses, the Alliance has attracted many new employers to our region and helped to highlight our community as a great place to do business. In addition, the Alliance has been a strong advocate on behalf of the City. Most recently, the Alliance advocated for the Waukesha's Great Water Alliance project to bring sustainable Lake Michigan water to the city. The Alliance's voice is critical in helping us to achieve our goals to better serve those who live and work in Waukesha. WAUKESHA COUNTY BUSINESS ALLIANCE, INC. | WAUKESHA.ORG CITY OF WAUKESHA LOOKS BACK & REACHES FORWARD MAYOR SHAWN N. REILLY City of Waukesha 14