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Why the paid leave? In December, Milton School District Superintendent Michael Garrow was placed on leave through the end of the school year. Because it was a personnel matter, the board of education made its decision in closed session. The Milton Courier, which is affiliated with the Daily Union through Hometown News, filed an open records request to find out the reason for the leave and whether taxpayers were paying his salary during the hiatus. Turns out Garrow used a school computer to access a Facebook photo that a co-worker apparently deemed inappropriate and/or harassment. And yes, the leave was paid. Garrow resigned immediately. Now Jefferson has its own situation relating to a school administrator placed on paid leave. On Jan. 30, the board of education accepted Jefferson High School principal Craig Brimacombe’s resignation, effective at the end of the school year. No reason was given, but the rumor mill turned, as it always does in a small town. However, on Feb. 27, the principal was placed on paid administrative leave through the end of his contract year, June 30. Superintendent Mike Swartz asked Brimacombe to leave the building immediately and said he was no longer permitted on the high school campus. In fact, the former principal has to make arrangements to return to gather personal belongings or computer files. Now, if there’s one thing that gets the Daily Union’s Facebook friends talking, it’s a
story such as this. The conjecture, gossip and conspiracy theories aside, what everyone wants to know was why the sudden boot? He already was leaving in three months, after all. We wanted to know, as well, and on March 1, the Daily Union filed an open records request for any records and emails relating to Brimacombe’s resignation and disciplinary investigations or actions, and a copy of his contract. There are many reasons why these files must be released. As in Milton, Jefferson taxpayers are footing the bill for the paid leave, and we expect they’ll have to cover a stipend for the associate to serve as interim principal, as well. More importantly, though, is that the people are Brimacombe’s boss, and he must be accountable to them. What one might consider a private matter becomes public when it takes place in a public place or affects the performance of a public official. Remember the Facebook thread? People’s imaginations take off when they don’t know the full story. Add in kids and a school environment and thoughts go from bad to worse. Garrow’s Facebook faux pas was tame compared to what many Miltonians were thinking he might have done, and that quite possibly could be the case for Brimacombe. Wisconsin courts have supported the release of records in cases such as these, so we know we stand on solid ground. We look forward to our open records request being fulfilled post-haste so we can write the conclusion to Brimicombe’s story.
Reject fee for redacting time As the controversy surrounding the paid leave of absence for Milton’s school district administrator began to peak in November, a reader called the Courier and asked a question related to the state’s “Public Records Law.” The caller wanted to know what public records the newspaper had formally requested from the school district. The story was beginning to unravel and he was curious to know more about the situation. He heard that only newspapers could make such a request, even though he wanted to see the records himself. The truth is “public records” are just as they sound: they are the public’s records. They are open to anybody with an interest in government transparency. It’s not a privilege reserved only for journalists. That phone conversation is one of the many reasons why we are disheartened about a bill proposed in the Wisconsin Assembly that could make it more difficult to obtain public information. Rep. Garey Bies, R-Sister Bay, is circulating a bill that would allow record keepers to charge for the amount of time it takes to redact confidential information in the instance of an open records request. It’s a response to a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling last year that held the state’s current public records law does not allow record custodians — city halls, police departments, school districts, etc. — to charge for redaction work. Concurring justices, however, suggested the Legislature might want to revisit the issue.
500-word max for letters to the editor The Daily Union has revised its letters to the editor policy. All letters to the editor must be limited to a maximum two pages double-spaced or 500 words and contain a signature, address and telephone number so the editor may contact the writer if there is a question or concern. We also, as a rule, do not publish unsigned letters to the editor.
HERMAN® by Jim Unger
The case the high court reviewed involved a lawsuit filed in connection to a 2010 open records request by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as it investigated how the Milwaukee Police Department classified crime data. The police department asked the newspaper to pay more than $3,500 for redacting confidential information after providing 100 copies of reports at no cost. Current law allows record custodians to charge only for the actual costs of locating, reproducing, photographing and mailing copies of requested public records if those costs exceed $50. Bies argues that most public records requests “can be handled rather easily without a great deal of staff time or expense.” It’s those few requests – like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel case – that generate “a large number of records requiring the redaction of confidential information.” Bies doesn’t believe it is fair the costs are eventually passed along to the taxpayers. But isn’t responding to open record requests included among the duties of public officials? Taxpayer dollars were already used to pay for the salaries of the officials who created the public records. Why should retrieving the records be any different? In the case of Milton’s school district administrator, it was reported by The Gazette that the school board paid $1,069 to their attorney to comply with open record requests filed by local media. How much of that went toward redacting confidential information is not known to us, but this proposed legislation could arguably make it easy to pass those costs along to the requesters. The concern here is not about charging media outlets for complying with open records requests. We have a duty to pursue the truth regardless of the cost. This concern goes back to the gentleman who called our office in November wanting to see the records himself. It is his right to access public records, just as it is anybody else’s in the state. We fear the proposed law would create an unnecessary and potentially expensive barrier to exercise that right. We urge lawmakers to reject this proposal. — The Milton Courier. MODERATELY CONFUSED™ by Jeff Stahler
By Rep. Joel Kleefisch 38th state Assembly District
The stories are there on the Internet for anyone who wants to spend just a few minutes to review real history. Opponents of mining remind us daily of the pristine nature of Northern Wisconsin, the clean water, the pure air, the beautiful lakes and forests. They insist everything will be destroyed if we begin mining the huge deposit of iron ore in the Gogebic range. But their Chicken Little theories ignore history. The stories on the Internet I am referring to are stories of Wisconsin’s rich mining heritage. Do a Google search on mining history in Northern Wisconsin and you’ll find links to the Wisconsin Historical Society. Stories printed in 1886 in the Chicago Tribune and Milwaukee Sentinel tell of the mining booms that had towns such as Hurley bustling with economic activity. People came from around the country for the good-paying jobs. The mining took place for years. It took place with the
crude technology of that time. It took place with environmental regulations that could best be described as next-to-nothing. It took place for years and years and years in Northern Wisconsin. Yet, opponents of mining describe the area where all this took place as the best of what nature has to offer. It makes no sense that they now believe an iron ore mine to tap this incredible resource will be fatal to the land and surrounding environment. In 1983, a taconite mine closed in Jackson County. What was used as a quarry at that mine eventually filled in with water. Wazee Lake is now a tourist destination because of that clean lake and its beautiful beach. It’s also one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest for SCUBA diving because the water is so clear. Does this sound like an environmental disaster to you? Of course not. “Up North” Wisconsin has a long and great history of mining — before the top technology and strict environmental regulatory atmosphere of the last 30 years. Up North Wisconsin is a vacation
destination for thousands and thousands because of the beautiful environment. It maintained that beauty before, during and after mining, and it will again. So let’s put the worries of the Chicken Littles to rest. And now let’s address the fact that this mine — which will not kill the environment — will provide thousands of good, family-supporting jobs. The Gogebic Range contains approximately 25 percent of the nation’s iron ore deposits with an estimated commercial value of $200 billion. Gogebic Taconite is willing to invest $1.5 billion in this mine. And the economic impact will be far greater. We passed the mining bill last Thursday and sent it to the governor to be signed into law. It brings our mining laws in line with Minnesota and Michigan — two states considered to be just as beautiful as Wisconsin. The new law creates the opportunity for thousands of badly needed jobs and economic activity. And, most important, Wisconsin will remain one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Letters to the editor ‘BAND OF BROTHERS’ Editor, Daily Union: I hesitated in writing this as I no longer live in Fort Atkinson, but I felt compelled to write anyway because of my strong feelings about both the city and the fire department. I was surprised when I read an advertisement in the Daily Union from the fire department, who wants to add members to the departments roster. Back in the day they had a waiting list. I was age 40 when I joined the department 34 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. To be able to help provide for the safety and security for my community gave me pride in myself that I had never felt before. I also took the Emergency Medical Technician training and was a member of the rescue squad, which only added to my ability to serve. When I retired, I was a motor pump operator (driver). I have served the community in various other city groups, but none like the fire department. I think the department was the closest group I have ever been a member of and the phrase “esprit de corps” and “band of brothers” most certainly fits with the department. When you take a hose line into a burning building, you knew you had two more guys behind you helping and that they would not ever leave you and they always had your back. There are training requirements of course, which adds to the safety of you and your mates and is something a new member must deal with at first. One must also consider your life partner because they are part of the equation, as without their support, you could not do the job. I always remember when
the alarm would page us to report to the station during tornado and storm threats that as I left the house my family was heading to the basement without me. The pay for a paid-on-call member is a lot better than back in my days, but that should not be the reason anyone to join. What I am trying to say is if you want to be a member of a great group of firefighters and have the support of your family and community then join the Fort Fire Department. There is no feeling better than when a home owner or accident victim gives you a tearful hug when you have helped them get through a situation. In addition, you will never be filled with more pride for yourself. See or call Chief Mike Reel and sign up for something you will never forget for the rest of your life. It will be one of the best decisions you will ever make. — John Behrend, Mission, Texas. VOTE FOR DUNBAR Editor, Daily Union: The Town of Palmyra is facing serious challenges at this time — annexation of 740 acres of prime farmland by Standard Process and the village, less-than-satisfactory Fire and EMS protective services per contract with the village, and incursions into the Town of Palmyra Airport. It is imperative that we elect a town board that will represent us competently. I have received a brochure and seen several letters to the editor about a “team” of four candidates who are running together because they share ideals and goals. One of these “team” members is a lady running for the clerk/treasurer position. According to the brochure and letters to the editor, she appears to have experience in accounting and re-
gards familiarity with “Quick Books” as a good qualification for the job. She also apparently has a full-time job with a lot of responsibility in another town. It would appear that she very likely spends nine to 10 hours per day with work/travel. Palmyra is one of only three towns in Jefferson County that combines the positions of clerk and treasurer. We have been fortunate to have a person who has been able to handle both positions competently for many years, and has been willing to work for “half-time” pay. (That person is not seeking re-election). However, during tax time and election time, the job becomes very intense, and requires much more than “half-time” attention. I have met and spoken at length with another lady who is running for the clerk/treasurer position. Her name is Wendy Dunbar. Wendy appears to be equally qualified as far as skills, has experience running her own business, and is obviously enthusiastic about her community. She impresses me as an independent person with a great deal of common sense. I have decided that she is an easy choice for the clerk/treasurer position because, in addition to the fact that she is self-employed and thus has the ability to flex her time, she is also a person who is able to think independently and thus will be able to bring original and insightful ideas to the board. Wendy Dunbar does not come to this election as a member of a “team” that has an agenda already in place for how the “team” will deal with town issues. I support Wendy Dunbar for clerk/treasurer, and urge others to do the same. — Sincerely, Weenonah Brattset, Jefferson.
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