Filling a vacancy on the Shawano County Board has spiraled into arguments of free speech, citizens’ rights and issues of discrimination.
“I don’t understand what it would hurt to allow the people to speak,” Supervisor Jeremy Gretzinger said after Chairman Tom Kautza refused to allow two residents to address the board at the June 24 meeting. “You’re only giving them two minutes. I’m 100% against that. It violates the right of a citizen in my eyes.”
Jackie Miller and Tim Steffen both asked to address the board regarding the minutes of the June 17 executive committee meeting in which Kautza said he is still working on a replacement supervisor for District 27, following the resignation of Tess Serrano. Steffen expressed interest in the position
“Because the role is intended to remain strictly nonpartisan, Kautza is carefully evaluating all interest and potential candidates with a focus on preserving the impartial and nonpolitical nature of the office and its responsibilities,” the minutes read.
Steffen is chairman of the Shawano County Republican Party and has been critical of Kautza in the past.
When Miller began to address to the board about the minutes, Kautza cut her off.
“No. That’s not an agenda item to speak on,’ he said. “We’re not going to have a bunch of haggling around. That’s the whole point of this.”
“The approval of those minutes is on the agenda,” she responded.
“No. I’m not going to allow you to speak and start a disruptive deal again today,” Kautza said. “You’re done. Your time is up.”
A few minutes later, Steffen asked to speak to the board.
“That’s in the consent agenda,” Kautza said. “The board would have to vote to take it out, to remove it. And that is not really a … that’s not a … no.”
“It’s published in the agenda for today’s meeting,” Steffen pointed out.
“Yup. And you’re going to want to start an argument,” Kautza said.
“No. I want to state my case,” replied Steffen.
“No. We’re gong to move right on with the agenda,” Kautza said. “It’s that simple. We do not need any more controversy here. That’s what this is about.”
Later in the meeting, Gretzinger raised the issue of residents wanting to address the board.
“If they’re not allowed to speak here, where do they address that issue?” he asked.
Kautza said they could, for example, write a letter to the clerk, send Kautza an email or write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper.
The board rules limit comments to three minutes or at the discretion of the chairman. At the meeting, Kautza limited comments to two minutes per speaker with a limit of five speakers. Kautza pointed out to Gretzinger that he was among those who voted for the rules.
“How come all of a sudden now we’re just enforcing it?” Gretzinger asked.
“Because I was being polite before and letting people speak,” Kautza said. “And all that’s done is cause a lot of drama, and we don’t need drama in the courthouse. It’s nonsense.”
“Just let them talk,” Gretzinger said. “If we did nothing wrong, we should have nothing to worry about. Let them speak.”
Supervisor Joe Miller asked Larenda Maulson, corporation counsel, if political affiliation is a protected status when it comes to a discrimination case.
“I don’t have the answer for that off the top of my head,” she said. “I’d have to take a look at it.”
“I asked you that question via email last week, so you had some time,” Miller responded.
He also noted no one but Steffen has expressed interest in the position.
“Those residents deserve representation,” he said.
Miller then referred to the minutes of executive committee meeting.
“I believe those comments were blatant discrimination … based on a political affiliation,” he said.
Miller said supervisors have a duty to collectively represent what is in the best interests of the county.
“I have a solution to end this so you don’t have to hear the chair tell the people that you need to be constructive when you come up here and talk,” he said.
Miller said either Kautza can nominate Steffen or supervisors override that authority and nominate him themselves. He noted that the rules about public comment are only finally being enforced because Kautza doesn’t want to be criticized anymore.
“The public put each and every one of us in these seats,” Miller said. “We are, as elected officials, open to any public scrutiny, criticism, support, whatever. That’s our responsibility to accept that.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
