Saturday, April 24, 2010

Charge Against Washington County Board Charmain Dropped

I don’t like this.

A trial to determine if the Washington County Board Chairman Herb Tennies broke the law when he asked to supervisors to leave an Executive Committee closed session meeting has been canceled.

   The trial was to begin Monday in Ozaukee County Circuit Court, however special prosecutor Milwaukee County Assistant District Attorney David A. Feiss dismissed the case, according to court records.

   The case was dismissed after Tennies submitted a letter of apology and made a charitable donation.

Essentially, I agree with Myers:

“What I think is a real travesty is he admits he’s guilty and you drop the charges,” Meyers said. “It’s done. I don’t know what else we could do. All anybody asked for was open and honest government.”

   Berchem questioned the timing of the apology, given that it was made after the elections and Tennies’ reappointment at County Board chairman.

   “We made this offer nearly a year ago to drop all charges if he apologized,” Berchem said. “He however chose to retain an attorney and drag this out for a year, meanwhile asking taxpayers to pick up the legal costs. I’m convinced there has been a grand plan to drag this out until after the elections so as not to be a negative influence.”

Tennies has admitted that he was wrong and should be punished for it.  I’m sure a lot of people out there wish they could just admit they violated the law, make a contribution to a charity, and walk away.  The problem is that it thwarts a process of progressive discipline.  If Tennies were prosecuted and convicted, his violation of the law would be a matter of public record so that if he does it again, more severe punishment could be brought to bear.  By doing it this way, if Tennies is ever prosecuted again for a violation of this sort, it will be a first offense. 

In the end, it’s disappointing to see that, once again, people of prominence are treated with a deference that is not extended to those of lesser societal status.

(7) Comments
Posted by Owen at 0844 hrs
Law + Politics + Politics - Wisconsin

  1. Owen, I’m ok with this.  The guy essentially is admitting he was wrong and it is highly unlikely this is done again.

    Is there a possibility to focus some fire on getting a much reduced size to the County board?  This seems to me to be a good issue to use Tea Party momentum on. 

    I mean do we really need 30 district supervisors?  This thing needs to be cut down to 5 or 7 people.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 24, 2010 at 0919 hrs


  2. So much for due process for the injured…

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 24, 2010 at 0959 hrs


  3. I’m guess i’m just really excited that we made it through the past week without any of those crap bills being passed. 

    We could be here this morning contemplating how ACORN would be registering new “voters” online come Monday morning.

    Instead we get to watch the libs howl about the Arizona immigration law that 70% of the State supports. 

    It has been a good week.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 24, 2010 at 1032 hrs


  4. Thank you.  It is tough to keep on battling the odds so it is nice to know someone is listening.

    There is no online source so I am posting documents received in Committee and Board meetings at http://washingtoncountydocs.com/  The .site is not complete but I will continue to add to it.

    Thank you again for your interest in open and transparent government.  Keep up the good work.

    Posted by bill meyers on April 24, 2010 at 1046 hrs


  5. Nice that Tennies apologized.  Nice that he gave to charity.  Nice.  What about the damage that was done over the past year?  Can he undo that now?  If he had done the right thing, instead of being forced to because he is backed into a corner, it would have never gotten taken to this extreme.  Apology accepted.  Consequence unjust.

    Posted by GAMazy on April 24, 2010 at 1123 hrs


  6. This is just one example of the huge systemic problem with our government.  People in government break their own laws way too often, and get nothing more then a slap on the wrist.

    Until there is greater transparency in government, and real punishments for wrong doings, this will continue unabated.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 24, 2010 at 1323 hrs


  7. I still do not understand why the Washington County board has 39 members to it. This is utterly stupid. What doe these guys do anyway? This board should be reduced to no more than 7 members. Does Germantown really need 5 Supervisors?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on April 25, 2010 at 0121 hrs


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