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Politics & Government

Aldermanic Election: Challenged by Schellinger, Lowerr Focuses on Development

City 7th District voters on Tuesday will choose between incumbent Ald. Renee Lowerr and challenger Thomas Schellinger. Lowerr said she will focus on quality development and citizen input; Schellinger did not make himself available for an interview.


In a rematch of their 2008 election contest, will vie Tuesday with , who she defeated four years ago to become alderwoman.

Lowerr pointed to her record of handling development proposals, and said she would like to continue to promote positive development in the next term.

  • The election is Tuesday. See  for details.

"I really want to support good strong development," Lowerr said. "That was my platform four years ago and that’s it again."

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Schellinger, who formerly served as alderman and also is running uncontested for re-election Tuesday to the Waukesha County Board, did not respond to several requests for an interview.

Record on Development

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Lowerr discussed her work on the Underwood Crossing project as an example of how she has represented concerns specific to her 7th district.

"I worked tirelessly on that Target development," she said. "It's a really nice gateway."

Lowerr said she helped eliminate parts of the plans, such as high-density housing and vehicular access through Columbia Gardens, that she said would have brought disruptive traffic.

"You cannot destroy the neighborhood like that," she said.

Lowerr also pointed out that she was not on the board when it voted to move the fire station out of district 7, and she did not support that move.

Lowerr said her experience as the owner of a small home party business, Willow House, and previously owning a jewelry store, helps her address development and other issues with creativity. 

"When you’re a sole proprietor, there’s a lot to think about," Lowerr said. "That experience helps being on the council because you understand all those facets and can think creatively."

Mosque proposal

Looking forward, Lowerr said she wants to continue to support development, with an eye to keeping traffic limited and preserving the feel of Brookfield, by listening to her constituents.

"I'm really accessible in the community; I’m very approachable," Lowerr said.

One upcoming development the council will likely face soon is the Islamic Society of Milwaukee's .

Lowerr said she does not have an objection to it but will keep listening to her constituents.

"It is America, and we don’t discriminate for any other types of worship," she said. "I don’t have  a problem with it, but I have to listen to my constituents and might have to look at it again."

Lowerr and Schellinger, with , will be on the ballot Tuesday. The top vote-getters serve four-year terms with annual salaries of about $10,000.

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