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It was the first regular City Council meeting for Mayor Ed Thompson since 2002 on Tuesday night. It was the last one for City Administrator and former mayor John Rusch.

Thompson said that he was happy to be back in the mayor’s chair, and he is getting readjusted to the role.

“I am getting acquainted with this job,” Thompson said. “And I am loving it.”

Thompson, who served one term as the city’s mayor from 2000 to 2002 before running for governor of Wisconsin, was elected and sworn in for a second non-consecutive term in April. He missed the City Council meeting in May during a trip to Ireland, and began Tuesday’s meeting with his recommendations for appointments to the newly formed Ethics Board.

“The new board will deal with personnel problems or any other problems we feel are ethical concerns,” Thompson told the Council.

Recommended and approved for appointment were Pam Buchda and City Administrator John Rusch for three-year terms, with the new City Administrator taking over for Rusch after his retirement in July. Mayor Ed Thompson and Council member Dennis Workman were appointed to two-year terms. John Rose and Gregg Hagen were appointed to one-year terms.

The mayor and City Council bid a semi-farewell to Rusch after his monthly report on Tuesday with a standing ovation. Rusch, who was elected to the Monroe County Board in April, will retire on July 5, but plans to still show his face around City Hall.

“It has been a great nine years (as City Administrator), and I have worked with some fantastic mayors and fantastic councils,” Rusch said. “What I love about the job is the challenge. I am not leaving; I am just going to another jurisdiction of government.”