Lake Geneva City Council unable to conduct business
Unprecedented things are happening in Lake Geneva, and the latest political turn of events essentially has left residents without a representative government.
Mayor Bill Chesen on Monday night was stopped in his tracks as he tried to appoint four people to temporarily serve on the city council while council members Mary Jo Fesenmaier, Arleen Krohn, Penny Roehrer and Tom Spellman are suspended pending a hearing before the council next week.
Chesen has accused the four of neglecting their duties, misconduct and violating the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law.
The council Monday failed to raise a quorum, which is six council members, according to municipal code. Only four were present at the meeting. After about a half-hour of discussion with an independent attorney representing the council, they voted to adjourn.
The council chambers were packed Monday. Those who support Chesen sat on one side of the room, while those who support the suspended council members and newly appointed Alderman Spyro “Speedo” Condos—including a few who carried signs that depicted Chesen as a dictator—sat on the other.
Condos questioned the validity of Chesen filing petitions to remove the council members and appointing people to take their seats and hear the charges against them.
Sep 15, 2009 at 2:50 p.m.
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What good are elections if the Mayor simply decides he doesn't like the winners and simply suspends and replaces them?
I don't know anything about the political history in Lake Geneva. If it weren't for the political difficulties in Darien, I would probably not have even noticed this article. But, the notion of a Mayor getting away with overturning an election like this is abhorrent. Haven't we lost thousands of men and women in countries where this sort of behavior occurs, in a fight for democracy?
Is this the USA or Iraq/Afghanistan?!?!?!?!
Sep 15, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
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It seems apparent that anytime Mr. Condos gets involved in the Lake Geneva City Government, chaos ensues. I'm not sure why he keeps trying to come back. His behavior is ridiculous and immature in my opinion. Have the citizens of Lake Geneva forgotten that he verbally abused a local (and very popular) pastor, so much so that her husband had to drive from Chicago to be by her side after the incident? And this was over information that he allegedly obtained in a rather underhanded manner. And the liquor license argument of about ten years ago? "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it." Come on, let's knock off this ridiculous infighting and get back to (good) business.
Sep 15, 2009 at 12:52 p.m.
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FOLLOW THE MONEY...
The "Body politic" is almost irrelevant in this "crisis." All the members could (and probably should) be replaced in a special election. That's not the MAIN issue here.
FOLLOW THE MONEY...
Sep 15, 2009 at 11:57 a.m.
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Keep a hand on your wallets, people of Lake Geneva. This case is headed for the State Supreme Court, and will cost you fortunes in attorney fees.
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that a crisis of this magnitude - with the Mayor suspending four members and appointing replacements - can end anywhere short of the Supremes. This is not a political squabble. This is a move that I think may be unheard of in Wisconsin's history. There is an argument to be made that a Mayor must not be allowed to unilaterally overturn elections in this way.
No matter the outcome in District Court, it IS going to the Supreme Court. I wouldn't be surprised if the Court of Appeals waived it directly to the Supreme Court.
This IS a crisis...a major one.
Sep 15, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.
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At the end of the day- FOLLOW THE MONEY.
Who stands to PROFIT the MOST from all this ?
The Truth is out there...
Sep 15, 2009 at 11:06 a.m.
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Could be; Darien has a higher mill rate than Lake Geneva does, maybe they are trying to regain the top spot.
Sep 15, 2009 at 10:15 a.m.
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Is this anothe Darien?? God help you.
Sep 15, 2009 at 9:59 a.m.
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You see, that's part of the problem. You can't just draw up a petition, get a bunch of signatures, and declare a law or change in a law. The city attorney should have been advised of this action and should have laid out the ground rules for these changes based on current local law and existing state statutes. This current mess is going to need the intervention of the district attorney's office to straighten things out or else there is going to be a long, uphill battle that wastes time and resources and accomplishes nothing for the people in the end. People who serve in local government need to check their egos and personal interests at the door and concentrate on working for the good of the citizens they represent.
Sep 15, 2009 at 9:20 a.m.
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BadgerTeach: I think it's time for YOU to run for the city council of Lake Geneva. With all of the in-fighting and bickering going on in your city, it's about time to start a petition to kick ALL of the (children) out of city government. What an embarrassment!
Sep 15, 2009 at 9:05 a.m.
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I am a 23 year old who has lived in Lake Geneva my entire life. I graduated from a state college with a bachelor of education in history. Government and Social Studies are two passions of mine that I take seriously. While some of our residence are watching prime-time television, I enjoy watching the local access channel that broadcasts public meetings.
As a member of the city and more specifically the second ward I am not willing to state my opinion on a message board, but I cannot be silent about the current issues that our city is facing.
After watching the meeting that occurred tonight (September 14, 2009) I cannot express my dismay and disgust in our council. As stated previously, I will not voice my side, but something needs to happen. I do not appreciate or think it is responsible of this city to allow half of the districts to remain unrepresented. Whatever the city decides to do I leave up to them. However, I do not understand why they decided to delay the proceedings. I deserve to have two aldermen representing me.
Why does the council feel the right to strip me of this right that I have? I understand the alderman are accused of breaking laws and are accused of violating their civic duties. However, the city should not have proceeded without having a legal and prompt plan on replacing the removed council members.
Sep 15, 2009 at 8:44 a.m.
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Now they know what we are going through... (OK people- rebuttal anyone?)
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