Marshfield Common Council Approves Rules for Hearing Against the Mayor

Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 -- 10:01 AM

(WDLB) Marshfield aldermen have signed off on a set of ground rules for hearing a complaint that seeks the removal of Mayor Bob McManus from office.

According to WDLB, during its meeting last night, the Common Council voted to accept the procedures for the hearings, laid out by attorney James Kalny, who is acting as legal representation for the Council during the proceedings later this month.

Kalny also noted that 15 witnesses have already been subpoenaed to testify during the hearings.  The Common Council also added a third night for hearing the complaint against the Mayor.

The Council voted last month in favor of scheduling the initial hearings for Friday, March 19th and Monday, March 22nd, and last night added Tuesday, March 23rd to that schedule as well. The regularly-scheduled Council meeting that night was pushed back until March 30th.

The complaint against the Mayor was filed by Andy Keogh, who alleges McManus, in response to a public-records request, took actions which, according to the complaint, violated laws and ethical standards established by the city.

Any action taken by the 10-member Common Council to remove the Mayor from office would require a minimum of eight votes.  Also last night, Marshfield Aldermen decided to take no action regarding a citizen complaint against a member of the Common Council.

The complaint was filed against Rebecca Spiros by Jim Hiller of 1011 East Grant Street, who told the Council last night he did so "for abusive, demeaning and hostile behavior unbecoming a Marshfield Alderperson."

He also said her recent behavior demonstrates a bias and angry response towards the issues and comments he's brought up recently regarding the situation revolving around former Police Chief Rick Gramza and the Fire-and-Police Commission.

Hiller called on Spiros to resign, and if she doesn't, for the Council to take disciplinary action. Alderman Nick Poeschel wondered what that action would be.  Alderman Adam Fischer said he hears a lot of things that he doesn't like, and some things that offend him.

But he believes the principles that this nation was built upon give people the right to offend him.  City Attorney Harold Wolfgram said he reviewed the video from a Council meeting where Hiller says Spiros singled him out and directed derogatory comments toward him, and he did not see a lot of evidence that would rise to the level of any sort of statutory, policy or municipal code violation.

Spiros did not speak out regarding Hiller's comments or the complaint during last night's meeting.

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