2025 City Council Candidate Rosanne Northwood
District 13
LA CROSSE CITY COUNCIL
Rosanne Northwood
CONTACT:
Email: r.northwood.lacrosse@gmail.com
Phone: (651) 323-1386
Social media: facebook.com/NorthwoodforCityCouncil/
About You:
I have lived in La Crosse for over 32 years. What originally brought me to the area was my Dad’s family farm in Brownsville, Minnesota. La Crosse has been an integral part of my life from a young age. Shopping trips to La Crosse are some of my fondest memories with my Grandma Isabelle. In 1993, I rented my first apartment in La Crosse on Liberty Street. My husband and I have eight children and eight grandchildren with another one on the way in September. We purchased a home in District 13 in 2018. Prior to moving to my current home, I owned a home in District 8 for 17 years and prior to home ownership I rented in La Crosse.
I have volunteered and worked at nonprofit organizations in the following fields Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Child Abuse, Homelessness, and LGBTQ+ focused programming for more than thirty-three years in the local area and at the state level. I am passionate about addressing tough issues and helping individuals reach their self-identified goals. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women. My work over the years has provided me opportunities to continue to learn and become a better ally. I am committed to working toward an inclusive, accessible and usable, equitable community where everyone has resources, support, and access to what they need.
Initially my work and education was focused on lived experiences and opportunities afforded me through my work. I wanted to become an attorney so I could be a better advocate for the work I was passionate about and be able to reach more people. I participated in the Self Sufficiency program at UW-La Crosse and successfully completed the college prep semester. In Fall 2007, I attended Viterbo University’s School of Adult Learning and took classes at Western Technical College and Viterbo. I earned my Associates degree from Viterbo and went on to UW-La Crosse to earn a degree in Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. I received my Juris Doctor, from Hamline School of Law, in December 2015.
Why did you decide to run for City Council, and what experiences or skills do you bring that will help you represent your district and the city effectively?
Public service is important to me and I decided to run for city council to serve my community in a new way. I am committed to serve with integrity, to use my lived experiences and knowledge to find collaborative solutions, and center the collective voices of District 13. I have more than three decades of experience making difficult decisions and finding solutions that serve diverse needs. I bring a fresh perspective and will work to create an inclusive equitable community where everyone has access to support, resources, and opportunities.
How would you ensure residents in your district are actively involved in city planning and decision-making processes?
I will be accessible through email, phone, and social media to constituents. When contacted I will be responsive to the concerns, needs, and questions received. I will attend meetings, community events, and find opportunities to connect and build community. My Facebook page will be used to share information with community members to educate and inform on current issues and government processes.
The City Council delayed a vote on hiring a City Administrator until after the election. Do you support the creation of this position? How do you see this role working in collaboration with the City Council and the mayor’s office?
I am in support of continued exploration into the City Administrator position. The benefits of having a staff person that would provide continuity while elected positions change would provide efficiency, historical context, and improved delegation of work with the least disruption with turnover of elected officials. City council members and the Mayor would be able to serve and connect with constituents, focus on the strategic plan, and policies.
What role do you see the City Council playing in addressing homelessness in La Crosse? Do you support the Pathways Home initiative? What aspects of the plan do you find most effective? Or what alternative solutions would you propose?
I support the Pathways Home Plan. The collaborative approach between the City, County, local service providers, community leaders, and community members with lived experience strengthens the initiative.
City council can allocate funding, support innovative housing developments, and work to create policies to address evictions and rental rates in the city. Continue to support Pathways Home and work to identify additional projects and services that can meet the needs of our unhoused neighbors. Participating in and encouraging community members to provide input for the redrafting of the city zoning code will help address homelessness and help identify housing needs.
What steps would you take to increase the availability of affordable housing, particularly for working-class residents and vulnerable populations?
We have city staff that are working to address housing needs and development opportunities that as a council member I will support. Policy revisions related to eviction processes and rental rates are needed. I will actively participate in encouraging community members to provide public input when requested during the zoning code work. Provide information via social media, conversations, and contacts with community members related to innovative housing developments and the diverse housing types we need to meet our community’s needs.
How would you balance supporting new business development and sustaining existing businesses while preserving the unique character of La Crosse’s downtown and neighborhoods? Are there specific projects or ideas you would advocate for?
I am in support of the Copper Rocks project at the old Kmart site and look forward to the work beginning later this year. We need to continue to support businesses and the creation of new businesses to appeal to new families and meet the needs of our residents. Ensuring our zoning code addresses needs of businesses and promotes new opportunities will help with attracting new families to our community.
Recent reports show a decline in La Crosse’s population. What strategies would you support to attract and retain residents, particularly younger people and families?
We need diverse housing options to appeal to families. Supporting the zoning code redraft and community engagement in the process will help support a strong foundation on which we can grow our community. The 2024 Housing Study revealed we need to build approximately 230 new housing units for the next ten years to meet the needs of our community. Supporting local businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship will support families moving here.
What is your approach to improving and maintaining the city’s infrastructure, including roads, public transportation and utilities? How would you ensure equitable access across the city?
Road repair and maintenance of underground utilities is expensive and necessary. The approach to address the underground utilities and road repairs in tandem is cost effective.
How would you advocate for improvements to transportation options in your district and the city? What ideas do you have for public transportation, bike lanes or pedestrian-friendly pathways?
I support adding additional routes for the MTU to ensure accessibility in our neighborhoods, add lighting, safe walking routes, and add bike lanes to promote diverse modes of transportation.
What strategies would you support to ensure that La Crosse remains a safe community for residents and visitors? What plans do you have to address issues such as police-community relations, crime prevention and emergency response preparedness?
I will support community policing work to build strong communities and neighborhoods.
What climate action policies or sustainability initiatives would you champion in your district and citywide? How would you address renewable energy, waste reduction, and the protection of green spaces?
I will support the Climate Action Plan in place and share information with constituents on ways they can choose to get involved.
How can the City Council collaborate with the school district and community organizations to ensure educational opportunities and services for young people? Are there district-specific needs you would focus on?
Collaboration could be supported by attending local meetings that have participation from school faculty, community organizations, and city and county employees, such as the Community Youth supports meeting. I would focus on the following district-specific needs: mental health services for youth and support after school programming to support students academically, support positive youth development, and provide trauma informed support. Encourage schools to center restorative practices in their day-to-day interactions to help teach skills that will be used throughout one’s life in multifaceted ways.
Support the school district in innovative ways to use the school buildings that will become vacant in 2027 to meet needs of our neighborhoods and youth. Look to other local businesses and organizations to support our youth and provide opportunities to continue to learn, participate in local government, and provide experiences that invest in our future community leaders.
What role do you see for the City Council in fostering tech innovation and improving digital infrastructure? How could your district benefit from smart city initiatives or local tech industry development?
As a council member I would support city staff in addressing these questions and support any new initiatives that come forward that would meet the needs of our community.
