BDUSD to Provide Requested Records
8/12/10 - Beaver Dam Superintendent Steve Vessey says the district plans to comply with a court order and turnover all documents requested by Dan Grulke. But apparently all is not well between the two sides. Grulke filed an open records request on June 24th, and on July 15th Superintendent Steve Vessey turned over only a small portion of the records saying the rest were protected by certain privacy laws. That led to a lawsuit being filed in late July which asked for, among other things, the personal records of seven current and former district employees. In addition Cheryl Grulke, who has worked in the district for more than 20-years, requested the employee records for former high school principal Don Patnode.
In a statement yesterday Vessey said in part, “my direction to our insurance company’s lawyers is to get Mr. Grulke what he needs. The district believes in open government and will do everything we can to get Mr. Grulke the documents he wants.”
However, Grulke’s attorney Bob Shumaker says as part of the agreement to turn over the records, the district’s law firm offered to reimburse one of his clients for her attorney fees but only if she agreed not to ever discuss the situation, even if the records were released to the public.
Shumaker said he wished the district would address the problems brought up in the lawsuit instead of using “taxpayer dollars for hush money to keep my (Shumaker) clients quiet.”
In a text message to us last night Vessey said, “Any agreement with an employee is a matter of public record. The district has nothing to hide.” He later added that the agreement referenced by Shumaker had no monetary value, and the space for lawyer’s fees was left blank.
The open records requests filed asked for a number of documents, including some the Grulke’s contend show the district did not properly handle claims of harassment and discrimination. Shumaker also says they still hope to meet face-to-face with both Vessey and the school board to work on the perceived issues, but the districts law firm is currently not allowing that to happen.
Public Safety A Priority In New Police Station
8/12/10 - Beaver Dam Superintendent Steve Vessey says the district plans to comply with a court order and turnover all documents requested by Dan Grulke. But apparently all is not well between the two sides. Grulke filed an open records request on June 24th, and on July 15th Superintendent Steve Vessey turned over only a small portion of the records saying the rest were protected by certain privacy laws. That led to a lawsuit being filed in late July which asked for, among other things, the personal records of seven current and former district employees. In addition Cheryl Grulke, who has worked in the district for more than 20-years, requested the employee records for former high school principal Don Patnode.
In a statement yesterday Vessey said in part, “my direction to our insurance company’s lawyers is to get Mr. Grulke what he needs. The district believes in open government and will do everything we can to get Mr. Grulke the documents he wants.”
However, Grulke’s attorney Bob Shumaker says as part of the agreement to turn over the records, the district’s law firm offered to reimburse one of his clients for her attorney fees but only if she agreed not to ever discuss the situation, even if the records were released to the public.
Shumaker said he wished the district would address the problems brought up in the lawsuit instead of using “taxpayer dollars for hush money to keep my (Shumaker) clients quiet.”
In a text message to us last night Vessey said, “Any agreement with an employee is a matter of public record. The district has nothing to hide.” He later added that the agreement referenced by Shumaker had no monetary value, and the space for lawyer’s fees was left blank.
The open records requests filed asked for a number of documents, including some the Grulke’s contend show the district did not properly handle claims of harassment and discrimination. Shumaker also says they still hope to meet face-to-face with both Vessey and the school board to work on the perceived issues, but the districts law firm is currently not allowing that to happen.
Public Safety A Priority In New Police Station
8/12/10 - Beaver Dam police officers are looking forward to the enhanced safety features that will be part of their new $5.1 million police station. Lt. John Kreuzinger told us on WBEV’s Community Comment that there is not enough space in the current police station to separate victims and the public from suspects. Kreuzinger says because of that lack of privacy, victims are being re-victimized, often telling their side of the story with the suspect a short distance away. He says the new facility will offer privacy and security in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Kreuzinger also says the new Beaver Dam police station will have a “panic room” that will provide the public with around-the-clock protection. The decision to include the panic room stemmed from the March of 2007murder of Waupun woman at the hands of her estranged husband. She had sought refuge in the Fox Lake Police Department but because it was a weekend there was no one around and she was murdered in the lobby. The four-week cushion between demolition of the former YMCA and construction of the new police station has been lost because environmental clean-up was more extensive that first thought. The project is still on time and on budget. Construction is expected to start in October with occupancy next year late summer or early fall.
Gibson On Voter Registration Details
8/12/10 - Dodge County Clerk Karen Gibson is reminding area residents that Wisconsin has a 20-day deadline for completing voter registration before the September 14 primary. Prior to August 25, voters may register in their municipal clerk’s office, by voter registration drive or through the mail. After August 25 and before Election Day, voters may register in their municipal clerk’s office. Residents who want to vote in the partisan primary but have moved or changed their name since they last voted, or are new voters, may register in their municipal clerk’s office before August 25. Registration by mail is not possible after the August 25 deadline. After that, residents must register in their clerk’s office or at their polling place on Election Day. When registering after the August 25 deadline in the municipal clerk’s office or at the polling place on Election Day, Wisconsinites must provide proof of residence. New voters and voters who have moved or changed their name since they last voted must provide their Wisconsin driver’s license number or Wisconsin ID number. If they don’t have either, they can use the last four digits of their Social Security number. In addition, registered voters who wish to vote absentee in the partisan primary should know that the last day to submit a written request to the clerk for an absentee ballot by mail is 5pm on Thursday, September 9. Voters may also vote in person at the municipal clerk’s Office until Monday, September 13. Voters with questions about voter registration or absentee voting should contact the Dodge County Clerk at 920-386-3602 or see the State Elections Division website at http://gab.wi.gov
Waupun Sports Complex Pepsi Challenge
8/12/10 - A Waupun resident is asking for community support in acquiring grant money through the Pepsi Refresh Project to purchase the former Jefferson Elementary property as the site for a sports complex. to create a sports complex. Kevin Homan, the president of the Waupun Youth Soccer Association, says Pepsi is giving away money to groups looking to improve their community. He says he sent in an application in June and was informed last month the project was accepted. Beginning on August 1st all the projects Pepsi selected went up for vote at refresheverything.com. And if the Waupun project ends up in the top two of voting they’ll receive $250,000 to build the complex. Homan says there are two ways to vote. You can visit refresheverything.com, create an account, and scroll through the $250,000 ideas until you find the one for the Waupun Youth Soccer Association. You can also vote by texting the number 101654 to Pepsi (73774). You can vote once each day by texting or online.
Meinke Sentenced For Chase
8/12/10 - A Beaver Dam man who ran from police at bar closing time this past January was sentenced this morning to six months in jail. Christopher Meinke pleaded “no contest” last Friday to a felony charge of Fleeing and had a misdemeanor count of Operating While Revoked dismissed but read into the record. According to the criminal complaint, the 23-year-old was upset that his girlfriend was at a local bar and blew a stop sign on Madison Street, narrowly missing a squad car which had to swerve out of way. Meinke was said to be traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost that same police officer on South Lincoln Avenue. The officer discovered his car about 20 minutes later. He told police while later being questioned, (quote) “I admit to everything.” In addition to 180 days in jail with Huber work release privileges, Meinke had his license suspended for six months.
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