Shirley Brabender Mattox
Candidate for Common Council
1313 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
(920) 233-2833
smattox@ameritech.net
Background
In 2001 I was elected to the City Council
in an exciting race winning by 2 votes and was subsequently
re-elected in 2003. I promised to do my homework
to serve Oshkosh citizens and I’ve held to that promise. This
elected job consumes much of my time as I study the issues
affecting the quality of life in Oshkosh. I currently
serve on the Oshkosh Planning Commission, Landmarks Commission,
Grand Opera House Foundation and Advisory Board. I
regularly attend BID Board (Downtown) meetings and the
Comprehensive Planning’s six steering committees
preparing the groundwork for the 2020 Plan based on Smart
Growth principles. In 1999 I was part of a team that
founded NICE (Neighbors Involved in Community Environment)
to foster awareness of and support for revitalization of
older neighborhoods and downtown. In the 1980s I
served on the Utilization Committee for the restoration
of the Grand Opera House. I now enjoy serving on
the Environmental Beautification Committee supported by
SW Rotary. Recently, I was appointed to the League
of Wisconsin Municipalities Lobbying Corps representing
the concerns of the 18th District, which includes Oshkosh.
For 35 years I taught music, of which 28 years were with
the Oshkosh Public School District, two in England. In
1976 my English brass rubbings were exhibited at the Paine
Art Museum and I continue to give lectures and exhibits. I
am a member of the National and Wisconsin Historic Preservation
Trust, 1000 Friends of Wisconsin, LWV, HRC, State Historical
Society, Friends of the Library, Oshkosh Public Museum,
Oshkosh Women’s Arts Club and past president of AAUW. I
also play Bridge for recreation.
I received a BA from Rosary College (Dominican University),
River Forest, Illinois, and an MS in Education and Music
from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
I own my home, a 1924 bungalow, at 1313
Jackson Street.
Position Statement
This is my third opportunity to run for Oshkosh City Council. As
I look back on my platforms in 2001 and 2003, what has
changed is not my passion for quality-of-life issues but
rather the extent and complexity of the issues. I
was advised in 2001 not to mention my concern for neighborhoods
because it was not a popular issue. Yet, it is the
places closest to one - home & neighborhood - which
are of greatest concern to most citizens.
Some quality-of-life issues in Oshkosh for which I am
an advocate are:
- neighborhoods with tree-lined streets safe for walking
and biking,
- a variety of well-maintained older housing stock as
well as new affordable housing,
- an attractive, vibrant Downtown where you can invite
friends to meet for a cup of coffee,
- a riverfront that is accessible to all residents,
- a community supportive of the Arts,
- a place where Senior Citizens can stay in their homes
because there are amenities within walking distance or
bus stop,
- respect for the social and architectural history of
Oshkosh,
- smart growth planning for the next 20 years that values
and strengthens the environment and city facilities,
- positive City leadership that attracts and helps entrepreneurs
and established businesses to invest in Oshkosh,
- dynamic and economic partnership with UW-O that enhances
Oshkosh with educated youth and seasoned faculty in every
academic area .
Oshkosh is currently expanding at an unprecedented rate
with accompanying infrastructure that includes new streets,
utilities and landscaping. Responsible growth demands
that existing structures and neighborhoods also be maintained,
not neglected in favor of the new. Smart growth must
be thoughtfully planned so that Oshkosh residents will
proudly support the vision that provides a livable community
for all its citizens.
