Wausau's 2016 People of the Year

The Wausau Daily Herald presents the people who made an impact here this year.

Wausau Daily Herald

The Wausau Daily Herald 2016 People of the Year are:

Brad Karger

Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger sparked a controversy this year by participating in a peace march in late May.

The reckless homicide conviction of then-16-year-old Dylan Yang inspired the demonstration, where some questioned the fairness of the justice system. The County Board investigated and suspended Karger for most of August for supporting a march some officials viewed as critical of local governments and police.

Then hundreds of community members rallied behind Karger, calling for a reverse of his suspension. The County Board reconsidered his suspension — and voted not to rescind it, but narrowly, with many members who had previously voted to suspend changing their minds. The debate around Karger's participation in the march also inspired a broader conversation in the community about structural racism, activism, the justice system and local government institutions. Those conversations were already taking place around the high-profile Yang conviction; but without question the monthlong controversy around Karger's suspension supercharged it.

That was far from his only impact in 2016. Karger helped orchestrate a new deal between Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade counties that effectively saved North Central Health Care, the mental health and crisis care center that depends on county participation and funding to function. Its future had been in doubt after a move by some County Board members early in the year to withdraw from the three-county agreement. Karger also provided leadership on behalf of the Wausau Rotary Club for a $400,000 restoration of the fishing pond at Bluegill Bay County Park, which was completed this year. And we can't leave out the fact that he won the first-ever Hmong Cultural Dance Off at the Dream Big 2056 event, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Hmong migration to Wausau.

Downtown arts/events leaders

This year has been a good one for downtown Wausau. New events such as the Beer & Bacon Fest planned by Lindsey Lewitzke and her team at Wausau Events, and downtown dining week, planned by Liz Field and her team at the Wausau River District, brought in hundreds of people to check out local brews, restaurants and shops. Wausau's near west-side got a facelift and is now bringing new life to small businesses in the area.

Meanwhile, artist David Hummer made a proposal to the city that he hopes will bring a new life to the Wausau Club by transforming it into a contemporary art museum. He hopes the museum will provide culture and draw more artists to the area.

Sean Wright, who became executive director of the Performing Arts Foundation in 2015, has helped to bring fresh ideas and new approaches to the entertainment offerings at The Grand theater. Ticket sales for regular-season shows are climbing, and the Performing Arts Foundation has started to reach new audiences with new ideas, such as the 10x10 seriesthat brings up-and-coming artists into the historic theater for only $10 a ticket.

Heidi Wolfe

Other victims in her family came forward after Heidi Wolfe went to the police and shared the story of her grandfather sexually assaulting her as a child and as an adult.

Wolfe, now a mother of three herself, told that painful story many times since 2014. She shared it with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin. She shared it in the courtroom during the trial and sentencing of her grandfather, Edward Heckendorf, this year.

Heckendorf was convicted of child sexual assault against one of Wolfe’s cousins — Wolfe's charges were too old to prosecute. In July a judge sentenced the 92-year-old Heckendorf to 20 years in prison.

Wolfe said she's shared her harrowing experience publicly to encourage other victims of child sexual assault to come forward and hold their abusers accountable.

Christian Schock

He joined the city of Wausau staff less than two years ago. But Christian Schock, Wausau's interim director of planning, community and economic development, has been center stage as major developments unfolded in 2016. Residents have clamored in recent years for a new downtown movie theater, and Schock is now helping to negotiate a deal with Micon Cinemas to open in the Wausau Center mall.

The city moved fast to nab the former Sears building there when it closed earlier this year and it moved fast to bring in potential developers, including Micon, to take over that space.

Schock became the interim department head after former Community Development Director Ann Werth retired mid-year. He often is the city’s pro-development spokesman, promoting the city's east riverfront where major changes are increasingly apparent.

Mark Craig

Not only has Mark Craig brightened up downtown Wausau with colorful umbrellas to celebrate his 20th anniversary of working here, but he's also been instrumental in bringing a new business to the area. Crostini Bar, which will serve small plates and gourmet drinks, is the brainchild of Troy Davis, but Craig has been helping Davis bring his ideas to life.

Craig has also been vocal in the process of getting a new anchor in the empty Sears spot in Wausau Center mall. He's voiced his support for a cinema, which has preliminary been chosen.

RELATED: Umbrellas liven up downtown

Mort McBain, Peter Yang and organizers of Hmong Vietnam War Veterans Memorial

After the unveiling of the Hmong Vietnam War Veterans Memorial people gathered to view the statue and read the descriptions on Sept. 24, 2016, at the Marathon County courthouse.

Mort McBain and Peter Yang were closely involved in the project, which honors Hmong and Lao veterans in Marathon County who served in the Vietnam War. Marathon County and various veterans groups chipped in to help cover the cost.

The statue was unveiled in September and drew hundreds of people to its dedication. It features the names of local veterans and a history of the Hmong who first emigrated to Wausau 40 years ago, fleeing persecution for their support of the United States' military exploits in Laos.

The community of Antigo

One of the most shocking stories of 2016 was the April 23 shooting outside of the Antigo High School prom. The gunman, a recently graduated former student at the school, fired 10 times, striking the school, parked cars and two students. He had 45 more rounds of ammunition in his pockets. He was stopped by two police officers, Andrew Hopfensperger and Ryan Bula, who were patrolling the school parking lot at the time the gunman opened fire. Hopfensperger, whose shot killed the gunman, acted heroically to spare the school from what could have been much greater bloodshed. Two students were injured; both recovered. The event was traumatic for the community of Antigo, but it also highlighted just how tight-knit and forgiving that community truly is. The cry of "Antigo Strong" became a refrain; the community showed support for the two officers, the families of the victims and even the mother of the gunman. She told her story to USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin about a month after the shooting, and spoke about how, amid grief and confusion, she also received the support and forgiveness of her neighbors.

Wausau East football advocates

Wausau East’s Alex Becker throws an incomplete pass under pressure from West’s Jacob Pupp during the 47th annual Log Game between Wausau West and Wausau East at Thom Field September 30, 2016.

Wausau East has struggled to compete in the Valley Football Association and finished this year with an 0-9 record for the second straight season. With student enrollment and football participation numbers declining, and losses and concern for players' safety on the field mounting, school officials took action. East athletic director Greg Harvey and principal Brad Peck were two forces behind the football program, headed by coach Tom Tourtillott, in first petitioning the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association for a change and then — when the WIAA refused even to consider its request — making the difficult decision to leave its conference and go independent for the 2017 season. It was a decision rooted in legitimate concerns for players' safety that were brushed aside by the WIAA, and those who advocated for the change deserve credit for sticking with it.

RELATED: East football set to leave VFA

EDITORIAL: Wausau East deserves better than WIAA dismissal

Bierman Family Foundation board

With a $4 million donation, the board of the Bierman Family Foundation brought smiles to the children of Merrill and beyond this summer. Their donation helped to build the new Bierman Family Aquatic Center, which opened this past summer, with a state-of-the-art play and swim area. The old pool wasn't up to standards and had been closed for several years previously, leaving local children without a summer swim spot, and local children's swim teams without a place to swim. Thanks in large part to the Bierman foundation, splashes and summer fun were returned to Merrill.

Paula Hase

Wausau East High School librarian Paula Hase didn’t single-handedly win $100,000 to upgrade the school’s media broadcasting lab. But her leadership, creativity and, most of all, the unrelenting positive energy she brought to a national online contest helped set the stage for success.
On Nov. 28, Hase was handed an over-sized check for $100,000 from a representative of Farmers Insurance, which sponsored the contest, called "Thank America’s Teachers Dream Big Challenge." Hase worked on the competition with three colleagues, Elizabeth Kysely, graphics teacher and Hase’s sister; Kris Mela, an English teacher; and Kurt Hornby, an AV technician and media lab adviser.

The process started in February when the educators wrote a proposal to enter the contest, recruiting students to bolster their chances. “We were like, we can make this happen,” Hase said at the celebration announcing the win. “And we did.”

Jim Nick

The American Family Insurance agent saw a community need he couldn't ignore. Homelessness among students in the Wausau and D.C. Everest school districts is estimated to number between 200 and 250 students. Nick developed a plan to collect donations of supplies and money at his American Family Insurance offices. Managers at Tradition Cleaners and Dale's Weston Lanes got involved, too, making those businesses collection sites. The community responded, sharing calls for donations on Facebook and mobilizing behind Nick's efforts. Nick's campaign delivered new winter coats, bags of personal hygiene products and gift cards for food to needy students in the hope of easing their burden and that of their families. The efforts are new this year, and they have a bright future for helping many more students in the future.

Honorable mentions:

Other great people in 2016, as nominated by readers or staff at the Wausau Daily Herald:

Dale Bergman, buildings and grounds manager from the Merrill Area Public Schools who oversaw the new stadium project there and received an award from a state group.

Rose Garland, a CNA at Colonial Manor Nursing home and Rehab Center.

Jim Harris, the retired educator who operates a nonprofit removing unexploded ordnance from the jungles of Laos, opened a must-see exhibition of Hmong artifacts in Wausau Center mall.

Chungsou Her, the entrepreneur behind Wausau World Market, which opened this year.

Kathy LaPorte, for involvement with jail ministry at the Marathon County Jail as a volunteer with Greater Wausau Christian Services. When LaPorte entered hospice care this year, female inmates wrote cards to her about how much she touched their lives. She recovered, left hospice and is back to working in the jail again.

Michael Loy, executive director of North Central Health Care, for his role in maintaining services for patients there and navigating controversy and criticism from the Marathon County Board.

Mayor Robert Mielke, who won election as Wausau mayor in the spring and took office in a time of positive changes in the city.

Sarah Riley, instructor at Burn Fitness Studio and a personal trainer who inspires clients to be their best.

Jerry Sinz, coach of Edgar High School's football team, for leading Edgar football to its seventh state championship, tying the WIAA record for number of state football titles won by a single school.

Ron Worthey Sr., president of Souls of Honor, which helps veterans in need.

Mandy Wright, who campaigned to rejoin the state Assembly after losing a 2014 campaign. Wright fell short in her campaign this year but inspired her many supporters.

Nora G. Hertel, Laura Schulte, Tim Johnson, Keith Uhlig and Robert Mentzer contributed.