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Updated 10/28 - The Police and Fire Commission - Who Watches the Watchers?

  This is an Oct 28 follow up to the original article below, on the proposed special ordinance change to benefit one of President Dan Joling's buddies. Monday night the Kronenwetter Village Board voted to deny an ordinance change apparently presented at President Joling's request, to absolve and accommodate Alex Vedvik's 6-month run of unlawfully holding a position on the Police and Fire Commission. The first thing Joling said about it was "I think everyone knows the history here..." Why do they already "know the history here"? Because these things are apparently discussed among themselves prior to the meeting , which seems inappropriate if not a violation of open meetings law. The idea of "open meetings" is for the public to "know the history", as well as the insiders on the Board. The purpose of the packet report is to inform the public every bit as much as the Board members. So, there is that little observation f...
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My Suggested 2020 Code of Conduct, and the Drama it Created

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Back in March of 2026, a reporter's questionnaire for trustee candidates included this question -" What do you see as the most important issue facing Kronenwetter over the next five years, and how would you address it as a member of the village board?" My answer was (with added emphasis): "I guess that since we have covered a lot of topics already, I would have to say that what Kronenwetter needs is a fundamental upgrade in ideals and PRINCIPLES to operate by. We have had at least three ethics codes, and they have failed because they were created for unethical and politicized reasons. Fundamental principles are not like an "ethics code", or mission statement. A good set of principles embedded into a code of conduct would be a guide to decision making. not a political weapon. Clear basic principles makes decision making better and easier because it eliminates all the mind clutter of typical politics, factions, etc."    Kronenwetter's government, b...
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Kronenwetter's Unethical Mystery Tour a Bad Code is Worse than No Code

   An October 10 Wausau Pilot article talks about Kronenwetter admin James Davel's plan to revive once again the idea for an (ethics) "code of conduct"    I guess I missed the part where there is even a need for something like this.  It reminds me of what the Prophet Jeremiah said - " they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Isn't that the current Kronenwetter government in a nutshell?    What exactly has Davel accomplished in the past year that is good for the Village? Yet, here he is again stirring the pot of mischief and drama, and appearing to pursue more self-interest at Village reputational expense. In my opinion, Davel calling for an ethics code and "ethics board" to supervise elected officials is like the pot calling the silverware black. This item has nothing to do with legally defined ethics , which is already defined and enforced in State Statutes. What Davel is touting here is a "Code of Conduct...
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