Eric Magistad

My wife and I chose Shorewood four years ago because we loved its natural beauty, neighborhoods and housing variety, excellent bike trails, and its strong sense of community.

Since deciding to run for City Council, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and talk with many Shorewood residents. Those conversations have taught me a great deal. I’ve heard concerns about the cost of living, the future of our shared facilities, infrastructure, development, taxes, and many issues that affect our daily lives.

I’ve also come to really appreciate what longtime residents bring to the conversation. They remember why decisions were made, what worked, what didn’t, and how Shorewood has changed over the years. I think that experience is valuable, and I want to make sure we continue to listen to it as we think about Shorewood’s future.

I’m a problem solver by nature. When facing a complicated issue, I tend to break it down into basic pieces, understand the facts, consider alternatives, benchmark the issue against external factors when it makes sense, and then determine a course of action. If the expression “all politics is local” still rings true, council decisions have a very direct impact on our lives, and I take the responsibilities of local government seriously.

My professional career has reinforced the importance of setting priorities and planning ahead. I believe those same principles should guide Shorewood. A decision that makes sense today can create limitations years down the road. That doesn’t mean we should avoid investing in our community. It means we should understand the tradeoffs, look for efficiencies, and make sure our priorities are clear.

I also believe Shorewood can learn from other cities without trying to become them. Our lakes, parks, trees, trails, neighborhoods, and people are what make Shorewood unique. My goal is to help preserve those qualities while making thoughtful decisions about our future.

Twenty-two years in an Army uniform reinforced my belief in serving something bigger. My business career has taught me to use data, ask questions, and look at problems from multiple perspectives. Blending those two ideas, I commit to studying the issues and then working with residents, city staff, and the Council to find practical solutions.

Shorewood is already a great city. My goal is to help make sure we can afford to preserve what makes it great.