Winfield village manager will step down in January

Winfield's village manager will resign in January to take a new post in Waunakee, Wis.

Bill Barlow, who became Winfield's manager in early 2006, has 27 years of city management experience and for roughly the past six months has been looking for a place that was a better match for his skills and knowledge.

His last day will be Jan. 16.

Barlow said he looks back with no regrets.

"I think Winfield is a community that has got some really big challenges ahead of it," he said. "It doesn't make me feel good that we're leaving with some financial difficulties on the horizon, but I'm sure the professional staff here can manage."

Trustee Angel Oakley, who was appointed in September, said Barlow's knowledge and experience will be missed, and she wishes him well.

"Where the sun sets for some, the sun rises for others," she said. "In the same spirit, I am hopeful that Winfield will find a great replacement quite capable of filling big shoes."

Village Clerk Anne Mareachen said Barlow is a very good and visionary leader.

He led the village through a couple disasters, including a tornado in 2007 and this year's flooding.

"I think I will definitely miss his passion for the city," she said.

Barlow said there are exciting prospects in the future of downtown Winfield.

"It is my hope that they're going to be able to find a consensus among the board and community on how to proceed with the downtown," he said. "I think we've gotten a lot done in the past couple years."

Barlow said Waunakee appreciates his economic development experience and also is trying to revitalize a downtown.

"There was a good match in my skill level in those areas," he said.

He'll begin his new job Jan. 19.

"I wish everybody in Winfield well," he said, "and I'm looking forward to making the transition as smooth as possible."