Marshfield Alderman Will Take No Action on Complaint From Citizens Group

Wednesday, April 28th, 2021 -- 11:00 AM

(WDLB) Marshfield aldermen will take no action on a complaint filed earlier this month by a citizens group against two members of the city's Fire-and-Police Commission.

According to WDLB, the Common Council voted 7-to-3 last night to take no formal action regarding the complaint, basically because it lacks the authority to do so.

City Attorney Harold Wolfgram explained  that the complaint was never verified, meaning it did not come with a sworn statement from a resident taxpayer that the contents of the complaint are truthful, and that somebody was taking responsibility for the allegations contained within the complaint. 

And because the complaint was not legally verified, Wolfgram said the aldermen could not legally act on it even if they wanted to.  Rebecca Spiros voted in favor of taking no action on the complaint, but it wasn't over a lack of concern.

Alderman Ed Wagner said the complaint in its current form was probably a moot point anyway, since one of its targets, Randy Gershman, is no longer a member of the Commission. The other target, Andy Keogh, was reappointed to another five-year term last year.

A group of more than 100 city residents wanted both removed, alleging numerous misconduct violations while also failing to provide a safe working environment at the Marshfield Police Department, failing to maintain proper record of electronic communication, violating the state's open-meetings law, and adopting a discriminatory Fit-for-Duty policy.

The group is also alleging collusion between Keogh, Gershman, former Police Chief Rick Gramza and seven members of the Common Council to prevent ousted Mayor Bob McManus from appointing a replacement for Keogh on the Commission in April of last year.

Gershman was officially replaced on the Commission last night, when Aldermen voted to accept former Council President Tom Witzel’s appointment of Bill Penker to that spot.

The Council also signed off on Witzel’s choice of Steve Meek to fill the unexpired term of Jennifer Meece, who resigned from the Commission earlier this month. That term expires next April.

Also, Marshfield aldermen will let city residents choose the next Mayor, and they won't do so for another 342 days. The Common Council voted 10-0 last night in favor of leaving the office vacant until the city's next regular general election April 5th of next year.

The Council's decision comes 36 days after an 8-to-2 vote March 22nd to remove Bob McManus from the Mayor's position over misconduct allegations.  Aldermen chose to wait, over two other recommendations from City Administrator Steve Barg to appoint someone or hold a special election.

Assuming a primary election would be needed, City Clerk Deb Hall said the earliest that could happen would be June 15th, followed by a general election July 13th. And she said it would come with a price tag somewhere close to 20-thousand dollars.

Alderman Ed Wagner voted in favor of waiting, something he was not in favor of two weeks ago. Also last night, Barg was directed by the Council to look into another possible option, implementing a Mayor and City Manager form of government.

A city Manager has powers a Mayor and City Administrator do not.  In the meantime, new Council President Nick Poeschel will perform the baseline duties of the Mayor's office, such as presiding over Council meetings and signing official documents. 

Finally, Marshfield aldermen decided to lift the city's mask requirement for certain facilities, effective immediately.  After deadlocking 5-to-5 on City Administrator Steve Barg's recommendation to lift the mask requirement May 17th, the Common Council voted 7-to-3 in favor of ending the mandate right away.

Rebecca Spiros was glad the city was moving in that direction.  Barg noted that a recent survey of city employees showed a roughly 90-percent approval of ending the mask requirement as soon as possible.

Barg was quick to point out the end of the mask requirement does not apply to the Police and Fire Departments, Marshfield Utilities or the Marshfield Public Library.

Barg also noted that Marshfield's immediate neighbors in Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau and Stevens Point are leaving their mask requirements in place for now.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.