Gang of 5 Gets Their Way

I attended West Bend’s City Council meeting this evening.  For a background on the issue at hand, read my column from two weeks ago. 

First off, I apologize but I am reporting this from memory.  I didn’t expect to make the meeting because of another commitment, so I failed to take a notepad or recorder.  If I err on any of the facts, I’ll correct them later. 

The issue of appointing the new mayor came up.  Alderman Nick Dobberstein (who I opposed) brought up the issue and asked if the previous vote to only appoint someone from the council could be rescinded.  Upon advice of the city attorney, Alderman Scott Frederick made a motion to rescind the previous vote.  It was seconded and the issue was debated.  At first, acting Mayor Kristine Deiss declined to let any of the people attending speak.  She insisted that the public had had enough opportunity to speak.  There were 30 or 40 people in attendance.  Finally, after some good prodding by Alderman Frederick, Deiss reluctantly relented and let the people speak.  Eight people spoke out against limiting the appointment to only people on the council.  One person spoke in favor of it.  One guy was all over the map.  I spoke in favor of the motion (in opposition to limiting the candidates to the current council members). 

In the end, the vote was 4 to 4 with Doberstein courageously voting in favor of it.  The motion failed.  The council decided to limit the candidates for a new mayor to one of their own. 

Next up came the nominations for a new mayor.  As predicted, King Riffel nominated Alderman Deiss to be the new mayor.  It was quickly seconded and they were just about to call for a vote when the city attorney reminded them that they should allow for any other nominations.  Fancy that.  Predictably, no other nominations were offered and Deiss was voted our new mayor on a vote of 5 to 3. 

Yes, the Gang of 5 got their way. 

Next up was the decision on how to appoint Deiss’ replacement.  With little discussion, they decided to follow the same procedure as last time.  They are giving the citizens 21 days to apply and then will appoint someone.  Thank goodness the Aldermen couldn’t serve in two seats or I’m sure they would have limited the candidates to one of their own. 

So now I am no longer represented in the City of West Bend.  I did not elect my Mayor and I will not elect my Alderman.  It’s offensive. 

The City of West Bend is being run by a cabal of big-government thugs.  Representative government is offensive to them. 

UPDATE: The MJS files its story:

Common Council President Kristine Deiss was appointed interim West Bend mayor tonight night on a 4-3 vote after a motion to open up the appointment process to city residents failed by the narrowest of margins.

Deiss’ appointment, which will run until next April’s regular mayoral election, came one week after three aldermen walked out of a council meeting to prevent her appointment.

“The city of West Bend has just reached a new level of corruption,” said Ald. Scott Frederick, who led last week’s walk out, just after City Clerk Barbara Barringer administered the oath of office to Deiss.

1. Welcome to club!  West Bend is now a carbon copy of Menomonee Falls.

   Posted by on June 11, 2007 at 2158 hrs




2. So quit yer Bitchin and put your name in for the seat.

   If they don’t give it you, Run for the seat!!

   Or quit yer whining!!

   Posted by on June 11, 2007 at 2212 hrs




3. Yes, King Riffel continues to be an embarrassement to the city.  He unilateraly decides to shut down debate during a point where Aldermen Frederick and Vrana were bringing up points that neither Deiss nor Riffel could refute.  This after he had to be corrected on motions he was making on other issues that showed he did not have a grasp on what he we was voting for.

   I appluad Adlerman Dobberstein for his attempts to fix the situation.  I wish Aldermen Krochalk and Schlotfeldt would have showed the same courage instead of acting on personal vendettas against other Aldermen.

   Posted by Rich2 on June 12, 2007 at 0800 hrs




4. Throw your name in the hat.

   Posted by on June 12, 2007 at 0803 hrs




5. Here’s a new phrase for the tech-age:  “Those that can, do.  Those of us who can not blog.”

   Ironic- the submittal word is “can”.

   Posted by on June 12, 2007 at 0809 hrs




6. Mr. Beaver,

   I would but fortunately I am in the 5th District and represented by an Alderman that is standing up for his consituents on this issue.

   Posted by Rich2 on June 12, 2007 at 0814 hrs




7. Why doesn’t everyone just move on!  The decision has been made.  Whether you agree with it or not, that is not the point.  The fact that all of the Alderman have been voted in by their constituents is the point.  I encourage any and all of you to take out papers in November.  If you are unhappy with how the City is being run you all have the opportunity to run for office. 

   But, just remember, no matter who you are, nor what you believe in, there will always be people that do not agree with you.  Where were all of you in the past when the Mayor was up for election or re-election, I only saw 2 people put in for the position.....

   So, let’s all just let this situation come to an end so that we, as a community can move on!  Just because you side with 3 Alderman and against the other 5 does not mean that they are right.  I can recall quite a few votes in the past that were 5 to 3 when I did not agree with the vote, but, again, majority rules.  Can we just all grow up and move on.  Like previous bloggers have said… if you are unhappy, take out papers in November and you can see how difficult being in public office truly is. You can never and will never please everyone, it is what is best for the vast majority of individuals, not the loudest.

   I wish everyone a great week.  No matter what side you are in.

   Posted by on June 12, 2007 at 0922 hrs




8. Why doesn’t everyone just move on!  The decision has been made.  Whether you agree with it or not, that is not the point.

   Because we give a crap about our city.  Should we not comment on actions of the council because “the decision has been made”?  That’s ridiculous.  We have every right to discuss the actions of our government - even if it’s about past actions. 

   Just because you side with 3 Alderman and against the other 5 does not mean that they are right.

   Being in the minority does not make one wrong.  It just means that the minority doesn’t win the vote.  Majorities do have the capacity to be wrong.

   Posted by Owen on June 12, 2007 at 0935 hrs




9. Many people have the capacity for being wrong.  I am not saying that one side was right nor one side wrong.  I do agree with one side over the other, but, if the 3 would have won the vote, would you be having this discussion?  Of course not, as you agree with the 3.  Debating is fine, however, I think that this entire situation has gotten way too nasty and has shown politics for the City of West Bend in the worst possible light.  This has not been a debate, this has been a war with no winning sides.

   Posted by on June 12, 2007 at 0939 hrs




10. has shown politics for the City of West Bend in the worst possible light.

    Evidently, politics in the City of West Bend need more light.

    Posted by Owen on June 12, 2007 at 0956 hrs




11. Evidently, politics in the City of West Bend need more light

    .

    Let me see, we have the Daily News*; the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wash. Co. section); meetings televised on cable; minutes/agendas on-line; & WBKV Radio (I even heard the verbal exchanges between Vrana & Deiss this morning).  One might even include this blog as a source of information. The City is small enough that with a little diligent research, you can even find where these people live & work, or wait long enough at Wal-Mart or Pick & Save, you might even encounter them in person.

    I guess the “light of day” might refer to the conversations & contacts that go on outside of meetings - how about your “tentacles” at the state capitol that you recently alluded to - should those conversations be disclosed and part of the public record?

    I’m not a city resident (thank god), but I do think there are communication issues (council seemed to be blindsided and looked clueless by the public reaction) & too many people that can’t think outside of their own “sphere”.

    Can’t make assumptions on something that never happened, but there seems to be a certain predictability inherent in this forum - if the council had ignored the appointment option & simply gone ahead with proceeding with a special election that might have included a primary, I am sure that they would have been ridiculed for spending $10,000 for what would have amounted to a 3-4 month term, and causing potential candidates the cost of running twice.  Then again, isn’t this the beauty of taxation - when someone wants something to make them feel good, spare no expense.  Just remember to return the favor when someone else wants something that you might consider unnecessary.

    * - and the Daily News even provides you a forum nto available to the average citizen.

    Posted by on June 12, 2007 at 1029 hrs




12. One of my biggest problems with the process in West Bend is that is was not open to the citizenry (not a special election, but the appointment).  It seems to me that an appointment from the citizenry would be ok as we would be reducing the impact on the electorate.  We will now have a Mayor elected by a tiny percentage of residents (and in one district) and an Alderman that will not be elected at all.  In my opinion that is a large impact on the electorate.

    Posted by Rich2 on June 12, 2007 at 1352 hrs




13. Owen,

    Can you throw your hat in?

    Posted by on June 12, 2007 at 1400 hrs




14. Kris,

    For a variety of reasons… no.  With the kids, work, school board, volunteer activities, etc., I already have too many commitments. Plus, I travel a fair amount for work and would miss a lot of meetings.  Come to think of it, I’d probably also have to give up my column (and the income it generates). 

    Sorry for the litany of excuses, but I couldn’t spend the time it takes to be a decent alderman at this point in my life.

    I am fishing around for a good candidate to support, though.

    Posted by Owen on June 12, 2007 at 1428 hrs