Council candidates discuss shocking closure of Oshkosh Community Media on Eye on Oshkosh

On this episode of Eye on Oshkosh, host Cheryl Hentz continues interviewing Oshkosh Common Council candidates for the April 7 general election. The candidates featured on this episode are Paul Esslinger and Tim Neubauer.

One of the more immediate issues discussed is the closure of Oshkosh Media, effective May 15, 2026. This decision appears to have been made unilaterally by the current city manager of Oshkosh, Rebecca Grill. The “announcement” was made by email to local producers of programs on Oshkosh Media Thursday morning, and which also took the board of the Friends of Oshkosh Community Media by total surprise when announced to them at their meeting that same morning. This decision was made without public discussion or input, no public discussion by the Oshkosh Common Council, and certainly no vote by that governing body. (As a side note, Eye on Oshkosh host/producer Cheryl Hentz DID NOT receive the email other producers were sent. Hentz learned of the news upon walking into Oshkosh Media to tape this very show.) Needless to say, both candidates were stunned by this news. Besides explaining why they are seeking a seat on the Council, the candidates shared their views about Oshkosh city manager Rebecca Grill and her salary, as well as the fact that she not only doesn’t live in Oshkosh, and how she publicly states she wants greater transparency to the citizens of Oshkosh, while her actions speak otherwise. Other items discussed by the candidates were the direction the City is going; what they would like to see done differently, whether they’re elected or not; why they view there is a lack of transparency from the City toward the taxpayers and ways that could change; the recent restructuring of City Hall and the various departments within it; affordable housing; and the recent cuts to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society’s budget; This election, like all of them, is important and you are urged to make sure you’re registered to vote and, if not, get registered now. You can contact the clerk for your community to make sure you’re registered or visit myvote.wi.gov. Then you need to vote in the April 7 election. You may vote on election day, or vote during the early voting period – which your clerk can tell you when it is and where to go to cast your ballot – or vote by absentee ballot. You may request an absentee ballot either from your clerk or through the website just referenced. You can see this show here or by going to https://youtu.be/e79S1xoRY48. Those running for the Oshkosh Area School District’s Board of Education will be interviewed on a future show.