Charges Against Town Board

Yesterday around noon I dropped off documentation with DA Brad Schimel asking that he investigate and respond to me regarding the December 17th meeting. My charge is that the use of closed session for the purpose of this discussion was not legal. The agenda for the meeting claimed an exemption from public discussion, in essence, based on contract negotiation. Well, the TB decided not to negotiate. Therefore I can only assume that the discussion must not have been negotiation strategy, but what to tell the Town to justify the decision to not negotiate with the Village. This is evidenced by the decision immediately after the closed session to dissolve the Joint Fire Department.

My position is that this discussion should have been held in open session and over the course of multiple meetings to allow people to comment before this decision was made. If you agree, please consider attending and making comment at the 1/7/10 Town Board meeting.

I suggest that an alternate strategy be developed to fix the current department, not dissolve it.

Comments

I've received several messages from people that would like to comment but do not want to register.  I can understand this.  So, I've changed the comment policy.  ANYONE can leave a comment; registered user or not.  You can leave comments without your name, but I have chosen to moderate all comments.

So have at it!  If you are a registered user and leave a comment I cannot post, then I'll email you and let you know why.  I'm inclined to allow all comments, but I won't allow personal attacks or nastiness.

If you care to post comments....

All readers please note: I do not moderate comments posted to this blog. I've allowed all registered users to post comments at will without moderation by me. If I see comments that are deemed inappropriate or lack the decorum and respect that is demanded of self governed, free people, then I will remove the comment.

12/30/09 - If you post a comment as an "Anonymous" user, feel free to sign you name in the post if you care to.  It has far more impact if your name is included in the post.  Of course, you may just sign up for the blog and your name is automatically included in any post.

Break-up of the Town Fire Department

As predicted in my last blog post, last Thursday the Town Board voted to dissolve the joint fire department.  I sent a message to the Town Board requesting an explanation.  I copied many of the people that I thought might have the same concern on the email, including Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel.

Since this message I've been contacted by the Mukwonago Chief and Waukesha Freeman and have made a statement to them.  Here is my position:

I'm not sure how I feel about this decision by the Board; I honestly have not been provided enough information by our town leadership.  All of the discussion took place behind closed doors.  I have a real problem with this type of decision being made without the electorate (that's us!) being informed.  Brian Paff was unfairly taken to task by some on the Town Board for closed door dealings, now the same people do this?

What do you think?  Please pass on the link to this blog so others in the Town of Vernon may comment as well.  The people in this town need to be involved in decisions of this magnitude.

Link to this blog: http://afterthewakeup.blogspot.com/  Cut and paste then email to others you think may have a concern.  I think the Town Board sometimes only hears from those that have time to be at the meetings to provide public comment.  You can make your voice heard too.

Here is a copy of the email I sent out to the Town Board:

Community Leaders - I understand that you have voted to terminate the Fire Department (see the attached). Can you please let me know how you intend to provide fire and EMS service to the Town after 12/31/10?

I have to admit, I'm concerned about this. I'm told by my insurance company that if our fire rating drops from a 9 to a 10 that my homeowners insurance will increase by at least 30%. This means about $1,100 per year for me. I'd appreciate a response in writing or email.

In addition to my concern about fire and EMS service to our community, I'm deeply concerned about the lack of public knowledge of this action or that you even considered dissolving the department without public comment. I question the legality of this action, but I'm not an attorney and I have an open mind.

DA Schimel - I ask that your office investigate this action and respond to the community. The entire discussion of this matter was in closed session with no public input or comment. An agenda item that states "issues regarding the Intermunicipal Agreement" is much different than dissolving the Fire Department as per the attached. The agenda item stated:

"16. MOTION TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION. Consideration and possible action on a motion to Convene into executive session under Wis. Stats. 19.85 (1)(e): Deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specified public business, whenever competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically issues regarding the Intermunicipal Agreement for Creation of a Joint Fire Department and a Joint Fire Board and a Joint Fire Commission between the Village of Big Bend and Town of Vernon (Hereafter referred to as Intermunicipal Agreement). Included in Closed Session Town Board Members, Town Clerk. Motion needs a roll call vote."

All town meetings are recorded. A copy of the recording can be obtained by contacting the Town Clerk at 262-662-2039.

Thanks in advance to all of you for your time in responding. I've copied everyone I can think of that might have a concern about this so that they know you are working on a response and there is no need for them to make a duplicate request. I'll share your response with all.

Reserving judgment and giving you the benefit of my doubt,
Respectfully,

Mike
_________________________
Michael P. Doble, P.E.
W.249 S.7180 Center Drive
Waukesha, WI 53189
[Email address deleted to prevent SPAM]
414-708-9466