Dennik to join economic development committee

Alderman Robert Dennik will represent the Wauwatosa Common Council on the city's newly formed Economic Development Advisory Committee.

He received eight of the 15 votes cast by fellow aldermen last week, after he gave a short speech in which he took credit for much of the development that occurred in Wauwatosa, specifically on the Milwaukee County Research Park grounds over the past several years.

He said the only man who has done more to fuel development was Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker, who Dennik previously served as the deputy chief of staff and development director. He now works as vice president at VJS Construction Services,

Dennik also recently left his seat on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center board.

He called the existing economic development environment a "dilemma" dictated by current market conditions rather than an insurmountable problem.

"We have a lot of great opportunities ahead of us," he said. "When markets do come around, we'll have a good, solid plan and a good solid body in place to move forward."

Dennik is a newcomer to city representation. He was appointed to the council to represent the city's 8th District in March due to the death of Tom Treis.

He will cast votes on issues and work with six people from the Wauwatosa business community appointed by Mayor Jill Didier.

Other contenders for the aldermanic slot were Eric Meaux, who said the advisory committee should consider larger scope issues like work force development, housing and transportation in addition to specific redevelopment sites; Linda Nikcevich, who urged working with small businesses and well as large employers; and Michael Walsh, who wanted to see better communication and transparency of economic development activities than that offered by the now-defunct Wauwatosa Economic Development Corp.