Maney not honored and demeanor not forgotten by council

Southside community center not
named after deceased council member

Bernie Maney may have spent three decades on the La Crosse city council, but that’s not enough to get a community center named after him.

The council voted overwhelmingly not to name the southside community center after Maney, who died in late October at 87.

While Maney was instrumental in getting the center built, it’s clear that some on the council have not forgotten his gruff demeanor and tendency to use crude gestures towards other council members and city staff during council meetings.

Maney’s dismissive attitude towards women on the council was also cited as a reason not to honor him. 

The center was built in 2002 and is currently known as the Powell-Poage-Hamilton Neighborhood Center.