Neillsville Residents Begin Process to Launch Recall Effort Against the Mayor

Thursday, January 21st, 2021 -- 6:00 AM

-A group of Neillsville residents  has stated their intentions to launch a recall effort against Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy.

According to a press release/letter to the editor from former Clark County Judge Jon Counsell, this action, which, by law, can’t start until mid-February, will be launched because of actions Mayor Murphy has taken against Neillsville’s New Police Chief Jim Mankowski.

The actions against Chief Mankowski began when Mayor Murphy met with two former Neillsville police officers at her home.  This was discovered via an open records request through the city.  The complaints were brought forth to the Police and Fire Commission using a Wisconsin State Statute.

During the first meeting of the Police and Fire Commission, which discussed procedures of the complaints against the chief, many people came out in support of the chief and spoke in his favor.

At a later meeting, the board voted 3-0, with one person absent and the mayor not voting, to dismiss the complaints.  However, even with the dismissal, the mayor has stated that Chief Mankowski must appear before her and the city attorney on February 11th.

It is because of these actions by the mayor that these residents felt it necessary to begin the process to launch this recall effort.

Here is the full press release/letter to the editor provided by Jon Counsell.  The release was signed by Jon Counsell, Andrea Kruschke, Bob Johnson, Tim A. Voigt, Elsbeth Johnson, Jennifer Luchterhand, Brad Lindner, Tim M. Voigt, Mel Mueller, Irv Schutte and Dave Flynn.

Why it is Time to Recall Mayor Murphy 

Many of you are aware of and have met Neillsville's new Police Chief, James Mankowski. If you have not, stop by the Neillsville Police Department and introduce yourself.  We think you will be impressed, as we have been. Our police department is running smoother than ever, friendlier than ever and more helpful than ever. 

Recently, he has been the subject of proceedings before the Neillsville Police and Fire Commission regarding complaints against him. Ultimately, those charges were dismissed. As part of that process, numerous citizens spoke before the Commission on two separate occasions.  At least 20 people, in total, spoke in support of the Chief. Many more attended the meetings to show their support for the Chief, without speaking. All that spoke were unanimous in their praise for Chief Mankowski.  Without getting into too much detail, the comments show that the citizens of Neillsville now consider their police department a friendly ally seeking to problem solve instead of a stalking predator seeking to put everyone behind bars, deserved or not.  Chief Mankowski accomplished this change in perception in under one year.

How does this lead to a recall of Mayor Murphy? The answer is simple. For reasons only she knows, she appears to be on a crusade to remove James Mankowski as police chief and make his tenure as Chief as difficult as possible.  She met, privately, at her home/place of business (instead of at City Hall) with two former officers of the Neillsville Police Department back in September to hear their complaints.  This meeting was not authorized by the Police and Fire Commission and was not authorized by the City Council. Nor was that meeting reported to them.  We are only aware of it because of a response to an "open records law" request to the City. What other secret meetings might exist that we don't know about? 

At the Police and Fire Commission hearing, the decision was 3-0 to dismiss all allegations against Chief James Mankowski. One member was absent. Mayor Murphy did not vote perhaps not wanting to be in the minority.  One would think that would be the end of the issue. But no. Despite the Police and Fire Commission being statutorily responsible for performance reviews and disciplinary actions, Wisconsin Statute Section 62.13, Mayor Murphy has now communicated to Chief Mankowski that he must appear before her and City Attorney Bonnie Wachsmuth on February 11, 2021.  The purpose of that meeting has not been disclosed. Again, this action on her part has not been authorized by the Police and Fire Commission and has not been authorized by the City Council. In fact, on December 22, 2020, the City Council awarded Chief Mankowski (and the entire police department) a commendation for the great job they did during 2020.  So exactly what is Mayor Murphy up to? On her own? Without informing other city officials?

These events with Chief Mankowski have brought to a critical point our concern with Mayor Murphy.  In our view, too often she has acted alone, pursing issues or taking actions on her own, without regard or concern for the citizens that elected her. Ignored in her unilateral pursuits are the citizens' goals, the citizens' wishes, and most importantly the citizens' needs.  Actions and decisions should not be taken and decided in isolated secret meetings. What appear to be personal agendas should not be a part of our City Government.  Ignoring members of the City Council, other Police and Fire Commission members, and other City Committees and Boards is not the role of a Mayor. Ignoring the citizens of the community is not the role of a Mayor. This is not what we want from our Mayor. 

That is why it is time for a change-time for a recall effort to remove Mayor Murphy. That process, by law, cannot start until mid-February. We are looking at forming a committee to start this process. We will keep you informed.

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