RIB MOUNTAIN, WI (WSAU) — Voters in Rib Mountain have overwhelmingly approved the incorporation of their community from a Town to a Village.
“It’s nice to know that we will be able to call ourselves Rib Mountain. Our borders are secure,” said Administrator Gaylene Rhoden after the results were announced. “[Now] we really have control of our own destiny.”
Unofficial results of Tuesday’s binding referendum show nearly 92% of the 1,303 votes cast favored incorporation. Just 104 votes (8.01%) were against the move.
One ballot was over-voted, meaning both yes and no were selected. Four ballots came back blank, meaning no selection was made. Voter turnout was just over 25%.
Rhoden says the victory belongs to the residents. It was their petition that got the process started nearly two years ago. “This was a grassroots process. The residents, not us staff, not the Town Board, [they were] the ones that started this whole process, to get the petition going.”
Most residents won’t notice any changes besides the sign outside Village Hall. Rhoden notes that many of the Town’s businesses already identify as being in Rib Mountain and not Wausau.
“Obviously we are all part of the region. But having our community identity is important not only for some of our businesses and property owners but our residents as well,” added Rhoden.
The move will also allow the Department of Transportation to add Rib Mountain to highway signs in the future.
Once the results are certified by the Department of Administration, the Village will have to schedule another election to name a Village President and Board of Trustees. All current Town Supervisors and anyone else that is interested will be able to run in that election. Rhoden says it’s unclear when the DOA will certify the results, but once they do the election will be scheduled as soon as 40 days and no longer than 50 days from certification.
