Billy Switalla is village president of Wittenberg. He was born in Chicago and moved to Wittenberg when he was 12 years old when his family bought a farm.
After graduating from Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School, Switalla, along with his late mother, Lynn, started Wittenberg Floral.
Switalla still runs the business and gets help from his father, Bill.
Billy Switalla owned the Coffee Cup Restaurant for 12 years before renting it.
He and his wife, Renee, who works at Ministry Health Care in Stevens Point, have been married 19 years and live in Wittenberg. She is also a member of the Village Board. Between them, they have seven children and eight grandchildren. They like to host parties at their home with family and friends. Switalla is also a member of the Shawano County Board, representing the village of Wittenberg, town of Germania and the town of Wittenberg.
Q How long have you been president of the village of Wittenberg?
A “Two and a half years now. My wife actually started on the Village Board, and I followed and got carried away.”
Q What are your duties?
A “We have a board of seven people, and we make decisions for the village and come up with new ideas. We are in charge of doing roads and ordinances. I try to be lenient because we are a small village. We’ve got a good board that works well together.”
Q What has been happening in the village?
A “Bob Nueske donated money and found workers, and we revamped the band shell. The Walls of Wittenberg has been putting on concerts there. It’s a very popular item. We have Community Days and the corn roast on Webb Street. This year we saved some money and upgraded park equipment in Pond Park and Washington Park. It cost $80,000, money we saved the last couple of years. McDonald’s was brought in by Howard Wagner, who is a big supporter of Wittenberg.”
Q Why are you involved in the village?
A “I very much am a part of Wittenberg. I own two businesses and four properties. My mom and I started the flower shop. We are doing very well as a community. We are too small to be a big town but too big to be a small town. We’re located in such a beautiful spot. We’re just perfectly located. People can work in Wittenberg, Wausau, Antigo and Shawano. We’re able to support small businesses and would like to see more of them.”
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