3 months ago
Friday, October 9, 2009
Mayoral Censure
I understand people should "follow the rules" but I think this whole censure think is way overblown. I don't really think it was such a big deal, we have bigger issues to deal with in this town, but I guess it was important to someone out there. I guess Joe is looking to be the mayor again.
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About Me
- Chief Highknocker
- You aren't local until you have at least three generations in the cemetery.
46 comments:
I am regretful that I voted for Mirr. I believe that Parise was a much better mayor, more competent and certainly more enterprising. Mirr has basically done nothing for Green Lake (that I know of) except coin the term "dough-head".
Perhaps Mirr should have won the Nobel Peace Prize! Apparently, they give them out to anybody these days.
Does Mayor Mirr give good speeches too? The Nobel Peace Prize is all about atmospherics now and not accomplishment!
I just got my Nobel Prize in the mail! Did you all get yours yet?
Hey, If the Mayor does not follow the election rules, where does that leave the rest of us? There is no excuse for not being accountable! What could he be hiding? Why doesn't he want people to know who donated to his campaign and what his expenses were. Everyone else running for office has to abide by the rules.
I regret that Parise/Moore and company are more concerned about punishing Mirr than they are about doing what is best for Green Lake.
Come on Joe and Donna. You guys are losing it. Big time.
As usual, Chief, you’re completely missing the point. Chuck was asked over and over by City Hall to complete his election paperwork, but he didn’t do it until Joe Parise recently raised the issue publicly.
But more importantly, the missing paperwork wasn’t some minor technicality. It was about Chuck’s campaign expenses and donations. Chuck refused to submit required information until Joe finally informed the Council this summer. Then, 17 months after the election (and only AFTER the heat turned up), Chuck finally responded to questions about how much money he had spent by filing an “amended” registration form. On that amended form, Chuck says he spent under $1,000 and therefore doesn’t need to disclose his contributors. How convenient. Then, during last Monday’s public meeting, Chuck himself acknowledged that he hadn’t kept detailed records. It looks pretty suspicious.
Joe is accused of “bringing up dirt” when in reality, he’s raising a legitimate issue about campaign laws. Mayor Chuck didn’t follow the law, even after being asked repeatedly to explain his campaign finances during the last year and half. He deserves to be censured. Anything short of censure would be utterly asinine if this Council has any respect for the law.
Green Lake City Council members who oppose the censure are selfishly trying to protect Mirr, at the expense of a government leader breaking the law. Robin Wallenfang, Mary Rowley and Dan Priske, do the right thing on Monday. Tell the mayor to lead by example.
The Evil Cabal is at it again.
Nice to hear from you again, Lynn.
Joe is very angry about not winning the election last time, so he is looking to turn every little ant hill into a mountain. As a citizen of the city of Green Lake I am tried of wasting time and my tax dollars on fighting these silly meaning less matters. Joe is using his seat on the city council to make everyone's life miserable and we do not have the time to spend on this so Joe shut up and lets move on! By the way there are more good things happening in Green Lake in the short time that Chuck has been mayor- than the whole time Joe was mayor. Let's not bring that to a stop. I want the other city council members to stand up and tell Joe to knock it off. All he does is twist words into nothing but untruth or BS whatever you want to call it. The funny thing is that I voted for Joe in the last election. Until you hear his BS you don't know how wrong you are about this guy. This guy Joe, is not representing the people of Green Lake he is only after revenge.
What good things are happening under Chuck Mirr's term? Please elaborate.
As I recall, Joe Parise was very involved as Mayor, he even showed up at the meetings! He was back and forth to Madison to meet with State representatives, was key in the development of our industrial park, secured funding for the sewer project, etc. Don't discount his many accomplishments because you don't like his personality.
What specifically has Mirr accomplished so far?
I agree Joe's personality is pretty abrasive and I do think he is out for payback for the last election. That said, I also think he pursued his job by diligently pursing other elected officals who could possibly help our community. I agreed with some of his pursuits(trying to put a stop to closing Lawson drive for instance) and didn't agree with others, like trying to annex the ABA development propert). But he was a very active mayor and I think in the long run he probably is good for the community. My guess is we will see in the next mayor's election.
Let's stop and ask what 'Censure' will do..... absolutely nothing. Let's continue wasting tax payers money and our city council's time with this stupid revenge tactic!
How much will a censure cost? Are there legal fees involved?
"Let's stop and ask what 'Censure' will do.....absolutely nothing."
Physically speaking, yes. But it's important for the City Council to make a stand about what's right and wrong. If we look the other way about this, we're sending a message that breaking the law is OK. No one is above the law, not even our mayor.
It's utterly shameful to use the "Let's stop fighting and move on" tactic. The mayor broke the law and deserves to be held accountable, whether you like Joe Parise or not. It's wrong to oppose the censure just because you don't like Joe. Chuck broke the law, period.
As for "wasting taxpayer money," the fact is, Joe has indicated he'll drop this whole thing if the mayor is censured. But if the Council refuses to censure Chuck, then Joe may very well take this to court.
A censure in itself costs nothing, resolves the issue, and sends a message that playing games with your campaign papers and expenses is not appropriate. It should be an interesting meeting.
I know I am right because no one comes to these meeting. It is obvious that the only people that post on this blog are the same 3 people that go to the council meetings and the other council members. I am sorry to say that I too do not attend these meetings (because of my job) but i hear about things. As far as what Chuck has done, it is what has progressed without Joe in the picture. Now that he is back he is acting as if he still is the mayor. All the things that were achieved when Joe was mayor would have happened whether he was mayor or a monkey. In my travels I talk about my home in G.L.and hear the talk from property owners that own homes up here but live in other areas of the state. They all know about good things happening in Green Lake now that Joe is not mayor. This city has operated this way for 150 years now. Why does a hot head from the south think he can come up here and change things. Remember, change around here has to grow on people before they accept it. How many things has Joe done when he was mayor that were illegal but no one called him on it? I can think of a few.
I, and our neighbors, did not vote for Joe and Donna to cause animosity among the Council and City of GL and Town of Brooklyn. We voted for them to represent our opinions and wishes for Green Lake. So far neither of them have asked us for our opinions on the censure or cooperating with Town of Brooklyn. They seem more interested in "getting back" at Mirr for beating Joe, and foster suspicions of The Town of Brooklyn for wanting to work together. Their constituents do not share THEIR opinions. Donna is moving from Green Lake as soon as her house sells - and Joe won't give up until he causes more animosity due to losing the election. Green Lake needs representatives who are positive and willing to listen to and work for their constituents. Many of us have found Chuck very willing (and cordial besides) to listen to our concerns and wishes for GL. (And if you think otherwise, we are not long-time citizens of Green Lake and not acquaintances or friends of the Mirr family.) Please be a GOOD example for our young people and new and prospective Green Lake residents and work together for the betterment of Green Lake instead of carrying selfish grudges against a person who beat you OR suspicious of our Town of Brooklyn FRIENDS and neighbors. They are willing to work with us, which is obvious by their actions and comments. Since we moved here we have only heard how ridiculous the separation of Green Lake and Town of Brooklyn is. Most of us don't even know who lives in GL and who in Brooklyn. We work together, go to school together, and worship together, and socialize together, so why the bitterness by a few of you. Aren't we told to love (RESPECT) one another? Works much better than the bitterness and unfounded suspicions of your motives (excuses??) you are spreading, Joe - and Donna. Give us a chance to WORK together. MAINLY find out what we, your constituents want and work for us instead of embarrassing us and the majority of people we know in Green Lake.
We have worked with the Town of Brooklyn on the fire department, the library, the recreation program and other issues. The Boundary Agreement is something you ought to read if you truly want to know the facts. I am protecting Green Lake citizens' interests by not wanting what this document contains. My job is to look out for YOUR interests, not mine. This document would not allow Green Lake to grow without the Town's approval. Is that what you want?
As for listening to you, please call me to discuss your concerns. Not one person has called about any recent situations. I am willing to listen and discuss any issue you have. My concern with the Mayor is his unwillingness to
follow the law. I get along with him just fine. He has asked me to run our budget meetings and the assessment meetings since he does not have experience in these areas. Ask him for yourself! I have tried to help him in the last two years since he came in as a Mayor with no real background that would help him run a municipal government. He is a good man but struggles with his position and what is required of someone in this role.
Your forthrightness is refreshing, Donna. The demand for Mirr to follow the law is not an attack, and it's not personal. I find it interesting that people think the time put into holding Mirr to these laws WHEN HE APPARENTLY HASN'T is a waste of time. If Mirr's done nothing wrong why is he making it a point to hide something that is obviously not a mere oversight that should be reasonably forgiven? Mirr's not a friend we are required to turn the other cheek for, he is an elected official in an very important position he is resonsible for and WILL be held accountable for.
Come to the Common Council meeting Mon. 10/12 at 7pm and witness The Joey Parise Gang lynch our mayor.
All Mirr has to do is produce documented proof of what he claims to be true, and answer the questions being asked of him (as Mayor of GL) thoroughly and accurately. If the "lynching" continues, then people can wonder if Parise has ulterior motives in his heart (subconsciously?), but Mirr certainly can't whine about the suspicion surrounding him that he, himself, created. Our government isn't a playground for the weak minded, questionable characters, and greedy bullies.
I think that Tony and a few others are off-base with their comments. For one thing, if the city and the town are getting along better now than they did when Parise is mayor, I have seen no evidence of this. Perhaps the overall atmosphere does not seem as strained, but as far as I can tell no progress has been made between Green Lake and the Town of Brooklyn. They still don't agree on anything! At least Joe had the cajones to stand up and voice his concerns for the City. Things like the Boundary Agreement, fire department, the library, the recreation programs etc. need to be worked out FAIRLY. The town has three times the population (and incoming taxes) as the city. I felt much better about Joe looking out for me and my family than I do about Chuck.
As far at the financial accountability and possible censure, I can think of no other trait that could be more important in running the city than the trust that seems to be lacking here. Chuck, either sh_t or get off the pot!
ok all you people. I have done some reasearch....many (over 10) aldermen involved in elections in this great city have not nor ever filled out the campaign financial forms either...yep, the same one that Chuck didn't fill out! Why? Because no one informed them when they ran that they had to....ask our city clerk! When you pull your papers to run, you do not get this financial form from her or she forgets to give you one! Chuck didn't do anything different that others have done that we have elected.... no one, not even our city clerk,Barb, brought up the missing form for the first year that Chuck was in office! Why? The first time it was mentioned was when Joe asked for it after he was elected last spring...it was total revenge and I have the proof!
ok all you people. I have done some reasearch....many (over 10) aldermen involved in elections in this great city have not nor ever filled out the campaign financial forms either...yep, the same one that Chuck didn't fill out! Why? Because no one informed them when they ran that they had to....ask our city clerk! When you pull your papers to run, you do not get this financial form from her or she forgets to give you one! Chuck didn't do anything different that others have done that we have elected.... no one, not even our city clerk,Barb, brought up the missing form for the first year that Chuck was in office! Why? The first time it was mentioned was when Joe asked for it after he was elected last spring...it was total revenge and I have the proof!
While we're cleaning house, let's remind the City Clerk, City Administrator (or whoever hands out the package of necessary paperwork) that it is her/his job to include ALL the proper forms to be filled out.
Mirr got caught not doing things appropriate, and I hope it weights heavily on the people why (even after any oversight was brought to his attention) did it take Mirr so long to right the wrong? Suspicious. But please also demand the proper paperwork from the Alderman and strongly suggest to Parise that he has a humble apology to make for also not filling out the paperwork. Everybody involved own up! People, wake up! Cross your Ts and dot your Is for now and for the future!
The reason Joe Parise did not have to fill out the same form as the Mayor is that Parise never accepted any money from anyone. He paid for his own signs and brochure. There is a difference folks! I also have never accepted money and also paid for my own campaign brochure materials and signs. I made up my brochure on my personal computer.
Thank you for sharing, Donna. The facts...they're a wonderful thing.
Donna, you are wrong. Parise did get and spend money in a previous campaign and never filled out the forms. According to municipal attorneys in Madison, everyone must fill out a form even if you spend your own money. That has not been done here.
Chuck did not know about the form until Joe brought it up last spring. Barb at the city should have informed him and all the aldermen. Barb and our city attorney are really at fault here. She really does not know what her job is. I believe the council needs to instruct her as to what to give out to any citizen who wants to run for office in Green Lake. I have spoken to several new and old aldermen who were never told about any filing of any financial forms....Chuck just did not know and filed his form after Joe and the council requested it. I myself contributed to 2 campaigns for aldermen that never got reported!
I agree with city gal...what the hell goes on over there? When did our city clerk, Barb, start bugging Chuck for the form to be filled out? Why didn't she bring it to the council during the whole first year chuck was mayor? Why did she wait a year to bring it up? Is she doing her job?
Some say she is in with Joe and Donna against Chuck. The whole thing stinks... Why? I want to know why she did not tell Sondalle or the council that Chuck had not filled out his form? We should hear from her! How can the city keep doing business until we know everything from her
Following this from a distance this whole situation just has a strange odor to it...
After reading the articles in both the Ripon paper and the GL Distorter, I found the amount of vim-and-vigor put forth by 2 of the council members to be over the top. If the meeting played out as reported, with the censure occurring, and then Parise asking Robin Wallenfang to have Mirr 'step down' from his lofty throne while the meeting proceeded, then Joe is looking to humiliate and belittle Chuck for the sake of doing so. And what was with the blurb about Donna Moore having researched censure on the internet. It's as if Joe and Donna were looking for every angle that they could dehumanize Chuck.
Come on you 2...it's done, it's over, you've accomplished the task of putting Chuck in his place...and of making yourselves appear as two bitter, hate-mongering, resentful people. Nice display of teamwork!
It's time for the City of Green Lake to join the 21st century. The City Clerk's office should be investigated and an immediate search begun for an experienced city manager.
To Joe and Donna
You guys behave like thugs. Leave town or at the very least get out of city government. You don't represent anyone but yourselves.
Chuck? You have to cross the t's and dot the i's. It must be done.
Present and future council members? Don't get
bogged down in personal vendettas like Joe and Donna. It's obvious and stupid.
Move on.
Just so you know some facts, I have bent over backwords to help the Mayor after he came in this position. I have led budget & reassessment meetings for him the past two years. He asks for advice and even has asked me to read motions on the agenda for him since he has difficulty with some words he is not familiar with. He has his heart in the right place but lacks some skills needed to run a municipal government. I have always helped him when he asked. Does that sound like someone who is trying to dehumanize him?
Every meeting requires reseach. When the censure came up on the agenda, I reseached the process on the internet since I did not know a lot about it. Even our city attorney did not have the process researched. Finding out about something does not make one a bad person. It is what is expected of us.
The Mayor is in his second year. He has to provide leadership and follow the rule of law. He failed to do so with the filing of his papers. The problem was not doing so after many reminders. You cannot just put things off.
I realize citizens have the right to their own opinions but they should think about what happens when you serve as an alderman. You have to stand up for what is right. People do not realize the time invested in being interested in our City. Just next week, I have four City meetings Monday through Thursday. Three are not paid meetings. I volunteer for them because the city needs a representative at those meetings and no one else has offered. Monday is a special council meeting, Tuesday a technology meeting, Wednesday a census meeting and Thursday a possible municipal court meeting. I could just say that is the Mayor's role but I choose to get the knowledge and information for the good of my district's citizens. I could just live my life as a retired individual and not give a darn and only attend council meetings each month as some people do. I am not complaining since I choose to be involved. Anyone who truly knows me understands that is just the way I am. No one serves as an alderman for the money. There isn't much. I do it because I truly care about the City I live in.
Donna, no one is talking about money. Listen to what people are saying. You and Joe were over the top in trying to get at Chuck. Why didn't our City Clerk bring this up before one year had passed while Chuck served? Can you find out? Aren't you interested or were you in on this? Let us all know!
It seems to me that if you were truly interested in our city government, and you were innocently involved in censuring Chuck, then why haven't you asked Barb why she didn't bring it up to the council in the first year he was mayor? Why wasn't this discussed at the censure meeting?
I think we all know the answer...it wasn't even thought of until Joe got elected and wanted some dirt and revenge against Chuck! The truth is Barb never thought of it till then! or she would have mentioned it to last years council...and it was not.
This is about ethics not about money. And if Barb was aware that Chuck had not filled out his papers all last year and said nothing to anyone then she should be fired. Find out. Or put in on the agenda for the public to hear. It should be public and a public explanation....something is wrong.
Maybe Donna should be Mayor. She can help all the citizens of Green Lake with the big words that they don't understand.
Barb knew the Mayor had not filed his form. She informed us that she asked him several times to get it done, he indicated he would and he just never did. Perhaps she was protecting her new boss and was trying to help him in his new role.
Hmmm. What says you Chuck?
I admire Donna for speaking up here on the blog. Keep up the good work in our city government, Donna!
I admire her attempt to share details that never seem to come out, due to either intentional secrecy or the back and forth of other important issues. It truly helps alot to see where the mistake(s) originate, but it doesn't absolve the city clerk from her duties or dissolve the suspicion surrounding Mirr. Was Parise's motive for the good of the community? Yes. Was there a subconscious move to derail Parise out of a slight revenge? Possibly, we'll never know what's in his heart. Nevertheless, the goal is to right the wrongs in our government, and the let chips fall where they may. May someone in government get stepped? Not if they weren't a part of the problem and were on the up-n-up. See how that works?
Logic and common sense on the ol' blog!
Now let's flex the ol' muscles of logic and common sense, to whip government and politicians back into shape!
Donna, thanks for finally letting us know that Barb is really at fault here. If she asked Chuck several times over that first whole year, and never mentioned it to the city attorney or to the council, then we really do have a problem at the city. The city clerk also works for the taxpayers here and her job description is not to protect the mayor.
I am still wondering why it only came up in council from an angry Joe Parise after he was elected?
It is obvious that Barb must have given Joe the information. Why didn't she give you or other council members the information last year? Why was it only Joe who brought it up? It still stinks!!
This should be cleared up for all of us to understand. My tax dollars are paying for the city clerk and I want to know what she was thinking in keeping this whole thing quiet for one year? We should all demand to know...it ended up with the censure of our mayor and is not trivial or a joke. I like the way city gal thinks and she is right. Hope she stays involved. Donna, could you get it discussed at the council? I am in your district...I would like you to tell the council that I for one would like an explanation from our city clerk as to what really went on here?
Speaking of taxpayer money, if I hear Alderwoman Robin Wallenfang mention one more time that she doesn't get paid a lot for meetings and spends so much time at her job etc.....and makes it sound like she is a worn out volunteer....then quit the council! You ran for office, Robin, and we are sick of hearing how you don't get paid a lot for all you do and resent all the time you spend. What did you run for? Let's get some people into the council that want to be there!
By the way, why did Robin abstain from voting at the first censure vote?
Hello green lake friends.
If it is a fact that the Green Lake City Clerk covered up an illegal act by the mayor, then the city attorney needs to get involved and perhaps the Dist. attorney. You are discussing a serious problem here which should be investigated.
I will contact our city attorney to discuss his thoughts on your request.
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