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Neenah mayor praised as she leaves office; residents and aldermen offer thanks
Summary
Mayor Jane Lang received extended thanks from residents, former colleagues and council members at the April 1 council meeting, with speakers praising her 12 years of service and calling her leadership steady and community-focused.
Mayor Jane Lang received extended public and council tributes at the Neenah Common Council meeting on April 1 as she prepares to depart office.
During the public forum and the council’s new-business remarks, residents and council members praised Lang’s long service and leadership. Gerald Van Reiken (who introduced himself as "Gabriel's dad") thanked Lang for her service and said he would continue to advocate for school safety and other community matters. Lee Hilstrom and John Skirms also spoke of Lang’s leadership and the city’s direction.
Multiple council members read prepared remarks thanking the mayor for her service. Council President Borchard and other aldermen highlighted Lang’s role guiding the city through staffing and budget decisions, supporting housing studies and pursuing strategic planning. "Your leadership has helped shape the important work for the city from advancing our strategic plan to guiding housing studies and taking a deeper look into the city hall's cultural study," Council President Borchard said.
In her closing remarks Mayor Lang reflected on family civic history and on the role of the mayor. She closed by reciting words her great-grandfather spoke at his 1877 inaugural, saying the city should "acquaint ourselves thoroughly with the provisions of our charter so that no act of ours shall be considered hasty or irregular." The mayor said public office is about listening, managing and advocating and thanked staff and residents for the opportunity to serve.
Why it matters: the mayor’s departure marks a planned leadership transition, and council members signaled a desire to provide the incoming mayor with department-level goals and continuity on projects the council has advanced.
Next steps: department-specific goals for the new strategic plan will be compiled and provided to the incoming mayor after the April 21 swearing-in, the mayor said on the record.
(Reporting based on public comments and council remarks at the April 1, 2026 meeting.)
