Meet Andrew Drzewiecki, Candidate For Greenfield Alderperson

GREENFIELD, WI — Wisconsin's spring 2020 general election will be held Tuesday, April 7, and Andrew Drzewiecki, a 29-year-old Greenfield resident, will be on the ballot in Greenfield's first district alderperson race.

In talking with Patch, Drzewiecki said this is his first run for office, though he has public service experience, as he currently serves on the city's Board of Review, Tree and Beautification Commission and on the Greenfield Education Foundation board.

Drzewiecki said his top two issues involve development and road projects. In particular, he mentions what might happen with the Spring Mall and Turf Skatepark properties as two examples. "I intend on supporting the Plan Commission and Greenfield Engineering Department, taking into account their guidelines concerning development in these areas, as well as take as much input as I can from my local district, and those that surround it," he wrote.

Drzewiecki also said it's one of his goals to have city officials forge closer ties with those in the Greenfield and Whitnall school districts. "All those involved must be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve as educators and leaders, through continued investment in educator training and financial support."

Name: Andrew Drzewiecki

Age: 29

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Occupation: Senior Cost Analyst, Johnson Controls Inc., PLC

Education: St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI, Bachelor of Business Administration, Cum Laude

Please describe your political experience:

This is my first time running for a local election. I have been in attendance, in person, following the Common Council and various City of Greenfield Boards to stay informed and up to date as much as possible to support my district over the last 2 years. I serve on the Board of Review (Greenfield Property Tax Challenges), Tree & Beautification Commission (Tree Canopy Replacement/Environment Beautification), and the Greenfield Education Foundation (GEF at Greenfield High School). I am also a member of the Greenfield Community Band, where I fulfill the Baritone Saxophone seat.

Please talk about the top 1 or 2 issues in your campaign and how you plan to approach them if elected:

1. The top issue is what Greenfield plans on doing with what is left of potential open land development, both in District 1, (mainly along Loomis Rd. & the Turf Skatepark), and Spring Mall in District 2 (76th & Coldspring), as well as the open land in the other 4 aldermanic districts.

I am also concerned with the major roadwork project (which includes my home) now in the final stages of development for S 44th-S 49th Street, as well as W St. Francis Ave, just East of Glenwood School.

In addition to this, there is a project called the Powerline Trail, that which would extend between Howard and Coldspring, connecting West Greenfield, to East Greenfield, and eventually be connected with the Hank Aaron trails near the lakefront over time.

The Mayor is also heavily supporting paths to "walk to school" between Greenfield High School, Greenfield Middle School, and two of our other local elementary schools over time.

I intend on supporting the Plan Commission and Greenfield Engineering Department, taking into account their guidelines concerning development in these areas, as well as take as much input as I can from my local district, and those that surround it.

2. The second issue is that of the school system; I am committed to establishing meaningful collaboration with the School Board, School District officials, GEF, and the local government to promote Greenfield & Whitnall, as well as facilitate communication with the surrounding school districts. All those involved must be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve as educators and leaders, through continued investment in educator training and financial support.

Our students, as they advance forward in life, must be given the ability to not only succeed, but emerge as leaders, not only for Greenfield, but for the State of Wisconsin has a whole. I will press for direct involvement from local businesses, and higher education, for vocational or continuing college education, by encouraging scholarships, grant awards, and work study internships to show the best Wisconsin has to offer our emerging leaders, to encourage them to stay in Wisconsin and grow the State economy.

In addition, we must work together as a community to create a solution to the needless amount of bullying, and improve student’s mental health, in and out of the school day, if the above is to be achieved in the long term. This is having an impact on annual enrollment numbers from the 2020 City of Greenfield Growth Plan. If the Greenfield School District wants to continue to grow, and not stagnate, a program must be put in place to address this.

An Interesting Fact About Me

My grandmother, Mary Alice Yakich, was the second Woman Alderperson in the State of Wisconsin (serving the City of Oak Creek, WI for nearly 10 years). I have a tribute page dedicated to her service, on my campaign website.