“It was very overwhelming to get the phone call and then to hear from Jim Brey (then Council President) that they had requested this, and when it passed it was pretty amazing.” Those words from Kevin Crawford who served as Manitowoc’s Mayor from 1989 to 2009.
In recognition of his leadership and many years of service to the city, a portion of Dewey Street at the corner of Harbor Town Lane is now Crawford Boulevard which was officially dedicated Saturday afternoon.
Current Mayor Justin Nickels served on the Common Council under Crawford from 2005 to 2009 and says “I truly believe the people of Manitowoc respect the Mayoral Office very much. We’ve had three Mayors over the last 46 years (Crawford, Nickels and Tony Dufek) and the fact that Kevin was the longest tenured Mayor in Manitowoc’s history it’s a nice tribute to what he did”.
Crawford is given the “majority of credit” for the expansion of the Harbor Town District on Manitowoc’s West side towards I-43. As well as bringing back the S.S. Badger Carferry to the city. He says “It’d be impossible if I didn’t have many hard-working talented and dedicated people with a similar vision helping me accomplish these goals.”
Mayor Nickels adds that he hopes to continue to bring a positive attitude to work every day like his predecessor did and continue to be a major cheerleader and advocate for the city of Manitowoc.
Mayor Crawford’s wife Laurie along with his children and spouses, step-daughters and grandchildren were on hand to participate on what he called, a very special and blessed day.
