LETTER: Mayor brought Port a storm, he has to take responsibility

To Ozaukee Press:

Over the past year, I have spoken at nearly every Port Washington Common Council meeting about issues affecting our community. Most recently, I have focused on mental health concerns; not theoretical ones, but the very real stress, anxiety and sleep disruption many Port Washington residents have experienced as a direct result of the Vantage data center construction.

I reached out to Mayor Neitzke asking him to acknowledge these impacts and to provide free mental health support for affected residents. I asked for leadership, or at the very least a basic response. To this day, there has been no reply, no public acknowledgment and no visible action taken to help the people who are still dealing with the consequences of this project.

This silence is especially troubling because Mayor Neitzke is also the CEO of

CESA 6, an organization that teaches leaders to listen, respond and support people who are struggling. CESA 6 emphasizes rapid feedback, strong community connection, and creating safe, thriving environments These are the values he promotes professionally; yet here in Port Washington, residents who have been struggling for months have received none of that leadership.

What we learned at the August meeting of the Board of Public Works meeting only deepened these concerns. It appears the city has effectively tied its own hands while giving Vantage free rein to operate as it wishes, because if the city disagrees,

Vantage threatens litigation. The well‑usage issue is one clear example.

As a result, the city’s “Fact Sheet Q&A” offers little reassurance. Residents are left confused, frustrated and in some cases believing that people may already be living in the “trailer city,” regardless of the city’s claims.

Mayor Neitzke needs to take responsibility for the situation he brought to both the city and Town of Port Washington. This project has divided neighbors, with some residents turning against others simply because those residents have raised legitimate environmental and community concerns.

And now, as the consequences continue to unfold, it is clear that Mayor Neitzke did not just bring a development project to Port Washington; he brought a storm—a storm of disruption, stress, unanswered questions and community division. Residents are still living in the middle of it, and they deserve acknowledgment and support.

So I am once again asking publicly: Mayor Neitzke, will you acknowledge the mental health impact of the data center construction, and will you take steps to provide free mental health support to the residents who were affected?

Tracy Finch

Port Washington