HomeMy WebLinkAbout12.01.23 Newsletter
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mark Rohloff, City Manager
DATE: December 1, 2023
RE: Weekly Newsletter
1. LIBRARY WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR: The Oshkosh Public Library is thrilled to
announce that Darryl Eschete has been named the new director. As a long-time library director,
most recently at West Des Moines Public Library in Iowa, Eschete brings a wealth of experience
and enthusiasm for community connection to his new role.
Eschete earned a Master of Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University
School of Library and Information Science in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In addition to his
position in West Des Moines, Eschete also served as Director at Chippewa Falls Public Library
in northwestern Wisconsin and Head of Reference at Terrebonne Parish Library in Louisiana.
His first day with Oshkosh Public Library will be January 15th, and we look forward to the
exciting developments Director Eschete will bring to the community and the library. For the
full press release regarding Director Eschete’s appointment, please see the attached document.
2. 2023 LIGHTS OF CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN: The Oshkosh Police Department will once
again be participating in the Lights of Christmas NE Wisconsin 2023 campaign. This year's
hand-off event was sponsored by the Green Bay Packers on Monday, November 27th and
included officers from 70 departments who assembled 1,000 Blessing Bags and received over
$185,000.00 in gift cards! The Oshkosh Police Department received $4,000 in gift cards and 50
Blessing Bags that will be given out throughout the holiday season to those in need in our
community. Thank you to Q90 FM Radio, Lights of Christmas NE Wisconsin, and all of the
sponsors that make this outreach possible. We are honored to be a part of this amazing
program and to be able to bring some extra holiday cheer to those less fortunate in our
community!
3. OPD HAPPENINGS: On Tuesday, November 21, 2023, during a Police and Fire Commission
meeting, the Oshkosh Police Department celebrated the hiring of Police Cadet Justin Mitchell
to the position of Patrol Officer. Justin Mitchell joined the Oshkosh Police Department as a
Cadet on June 29, 2023. He completed his Wisconsin Law Enforcement Certification on
November 9, 2023, through Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. Congratulations and
welcome to the OPD team!
• Justin Mitchell is originally from Wauconda, Illinois. He last attended the University of
Wisconsin-Oshkosh where he continues to work toward completion of his bachelor’s
degree in Criminal Justice. In 2021, he enlisted in the Army National Guard where he
continues to actively serve as an Indirect Fire Infantryman. Prior to becoming a police
officer, Justin was employed as an Asset Protection Investigator with Oshkosh Walmart.
The Oshkosh Police Department welcomed Elizabeth Fontaine on Monday, November 27,
2023, to the position of Digital Evidence Technician. Congratulations and welcome to the OPD
Team!
• Elizabeth Fontaine currently resides in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. She graduated from Ripon
College with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology. Elizabeth comes to us with extensive
knowledge in evidence and forensics. Prior to joining the Oshkosh Police Department,
Elizabeth was an Evidence Specialist and a Crime Scene Response Team member with
the Wisconsin State Crime Lab in Madison.
4. GET INVOLVED IN A BOARD OR COMMISSION: If you are interested in serving your
community, please consider becoming a member of one of the City’s citizen advisory boards,
commissions, or committees. To learn more about the boards and commissions, or to complete
an application to serve, follow the link below:
https://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/boardsandcommissions/
5. MINUTES FOR BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS: All meeting minutes are uploaded to the
website upon approval. Please follow the link below for the most updated information &
meeting minutes: https://onboard.ci.oshkosh.wi.us/
6. LOOKING AHEAD: The meetings I have scheduled for the week of December 4th include the
following: on Monday at 6:00 PM, I will attend the Sustainability Advisory Board meeting,
where students from UW-Oshkosh’s Environmental Studies Program present their final senior
seminar projects. On Wednesday at 4:30 PM, I will attend GOEDC’s year-end event. On
Thursday at 8:00 AM, I will attend a meeting of Leadership Oshkosh’s Steering Committee,
and on Friday at 10:00 AM, I will meet with staff to continue conversations on addressing the
impact of homelessness on City departments. If you have any questions about my upcoming
schedule, please do not hesitate to contact me.