Marcus unveils bilingual campaign website

Mayoral candidate Eric Marcus unveiled a bilingual Spanish-English campaign website this week. Here's his  press release announcing the site: 

RACINE - Alderman Eric Marcus, candidate for Mayor of the City of Racine, added a Spanish language translation to his website for voters to read about his experience, vision and specific action plan for Racine.   This will make Marcus’ plans for Racine more easily available to residents who would prefer to read them in Spanish.

Marcus said, “It is very important that all of the voices of our community are heard and and that everyone is given an opportunity to participate in the discussion of Racine's future.”

“Being forthright about my specific plan for Racine and engaging the community in a discussion are the first steps to rebuilding our City, creating a sense of community and restoring faith in city government,” said Marcus.

The Marcus campaign pledge is simple, with your help we will “Turn on the Lights” in Racine, Wisconsin on April 19, 2011.

Please visit our website at: www.marcusformayor.org

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Whitman honored for over 20 years service on Landmarks Preservation Commission

For the first time in over a decade, there's a new chairman of the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Long-time Chairwoman Mary Whitman recently resigned from the commission after serving over 20 years as an appointed member. She was elected chairwoman in 1999.

Whitman will be replaced as head of the commission by Eric Marcus, who was elected chairman on Monday night. Robert Hartmann was elected vice chairman.

Marcus is running for the Racine City Council this spring. He's seeking the open Second District seat being vacated by Alderman Bob Anderson, who also serves on the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Marcus is being challenged by Jameel Ghuari.

After electing Marcus and Hartmann, the commission's first action was to unanimously pass a resolution thanking Whitman for her service to the city.

Other commission members include: Paul Zens, Tony Veranth and Roger Lacock.

Ghuari taking on Marcus in Racine City Council's second district

Jameel Ghuari, executive director of the Bray Center in Racine, is making another run for the City Council. He filed papers to run against Eric Marcus for the vacant seat in the city's Second District, which is located just south of Downtown Racine. Incumbent Bob Anderson declined to run for re-election.

Ghuari ran against Anderson in 2008 and lost 439-373. Anderson was running for re-election at the time.

The Marcus-Ghuari race should be interesting. Both candidates live and work in the Second District, and both have built up name recognition. Ghuari has run the Bray Center for a number of years and has held a public face in Racine for the past decade.

Marcus is a member of the city's Plan Commission and Landmarks Preservation Commission. He's also owner of the Woofdorf-Astoria Dog Hotel and Spa on 18th Street.

Marcus announces run for City Council

Eric Marcus formally announced Wednesday he's running to replace Alderman Bob Anderson on the Racine City Council. Anderson declined to seek re-election in the April 6 election. So far, Marcus is the only candidate to publicly declare for the Second District seat.

Here's Marcus's statement announcing his campaign:

Marcus Runs For Alderman

(Racine) Eric Marcus filed as a candidate for alderman in Racine's 2nd District. He collected nearly three times the number of required nominating signatures in less than four days.

Marcus lives and started a business in the 2nd District.

“A lot of people talk about creating jobs,” said Marcus. “I have a record of actually creating more than 20 new jobs in the District. Marcus has more than 25 years of business management experience. He currently serves on the City Plan Commission.

"The people of this District told me they did not want a restrictive historic district. They said they did not want a residential facility for teen fathers in a district neighborhood. I worked hard to defeat both of them.” Marcus led the public hearing on the proposed Southside Historic District and made the motion opposing its creation. He led the Plan Commission's opposition to the residential facility.

"Racine has a rich history as a center for business and innovation", said Marcus. “I'm running for alderman because I want to make Racine a vital player in the 21st century economy, to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses, and to create new jobs."

Marcus participated in drafting a 25-year plan for Racine targeting business development, housing and transportation. “As an alderman I can bring even more leadership and experience to the city. My goal is to generate new ideas, new hope, and a plan for Racine's future in which every person counts," said Marcus.

Marcus is a veteran and is active in community organizations. He is serving his second term as president of Preservation Racine, taught a course in Racine history at UW-Parkside and was a volunteer income tax preparer. Marcus and his wife reside on College Avenue.