Council president takes on Zima

GREEN BAY - Guy Zima has certainly made a few enemies during his 34 years on the Green Bay City Council. Zima is one of the most outspoken and controversial members of the council. He is running for his 18th term.

"I have nothing to be ashamed of," Zima said.

His opponent is Mike Iwinski, former president of the Seymour Park Neighborhood Association.

"I think I'll be very open to people's ideas and hear them out," Iwinski said. "I'll stand for something instead of being against things always."

Iwinski actually ran against Zima two years ago and lost. This time, he's hoping for a different result. Iwinski is getting some help from city council president Chris Wery. Wery doesn't have an opponent in his own race. He is spending his time working against Zima.

"He's out for himself," Wery said. "I don't think he's very ethical and I just decided to take a stand."

Wery is going door to door and handing out fliers attacking his fellow alderman. In the flier, Wery writes Zima "...lacks decency and respect." He also refers to Zima as "...a child-like, foul-mouthed person."

"I think it says more about him than it does about me," Zima said. He added that he is not concerned about Wery.

"The people of my district will decide, for better or for worse," Zima said. "It's them who will decide whether they want me or don't want me. As long as they want me, I'll keep fighting. The minute they don't want me, hey, I'll retire."

Wery said voters don't know the real Zima.

"He's going to be nice to the people in his district because they vote for him," Wery said. "He's going to put on his best face to them. When he's out of the public eye, he's not such a nice person at all. I'm sick of that."

We'll find out how voters feel in three weeks.

A Zima supporter has set up a website attacking Wery. Zima said he is not affiliated with it.

Zima is unopposed in his bid for re-election to the Brown County Board. He serves as board chairman.