Neillsville Mayor Releases Statement in Response to Recall Efforts

Monday, January 25th, 2021 -- 5:54 AM

-The following statement is in response to the recall efforts of Neillsville’s Mayor by Neillsville residents. The response is presented as submitted by Mayor Diane Murphy:

“When elected Mayor of the City of Neillsville on April 7, 2020, I felt the responsibility to do everything in my power to make Neillsville a City that would expand and meet the needs of its residents and businesses.

I have always had the open door policy and would always be there for people with questions or needing help with anything.  I did not know when I took office the turmoil that was going on at the Neillsville Police Department.  I stayed neutral and tried to help solve the problems, backing Chief Jim Mankowski 100% as their boss and the result was 2 Police Officers resigned.

In September, 2020, when I met with the two former police officers of the City (also residents) at my MPC Accounting home office I did not do it with out permission from our City Attorney Wachsmuth.  I did not feel it was a private meeting as City Attorney Wachsmuth was also in attendance.  Per direction of the City Attorney I did not speak at this meeting.  They had small discussions with Attorney Wachsmuth and presented her with some paperwork they wanted her to review.  They then left my office. City Attorney Wachsmuth asked me, as Mayor, if I wanted copies of these papers and I told her no.  Police Chief Mankowski knew we were meeting with these two former police officers before the meeting happened.  I was doing what I thought was right to avoid a potential lawsuit for the City of Neillsville.

In regard to me, as Chair, not voting at the Police & Fire Commission meeting on January 7, 2021, I did not vote because it has always been the voting procedure at City Hall that the only time the Chair votes is to break a tie vote.

There was no communication with Chief Mankowski that he must appear before myself as Mayor and City Attorney Wachsmuth on February 11, 2021.  City Attorney Wachsmuth called me at approx. 2:30 P.M. on January 8, 2021, to inform me that Police Chief Mankowski's Attorney contacted her to set up a meeting between Chief Mankowski, his Attorney, Attorney Wachsmuth and myself as Mayor and also threatened to sue me personally.  The meeting was set for February 11, 2021.  I never told Chief Mankowski that he had to appear before myself and City Attorney Wachsmuth.  I have now hired my own Attorney as I feel this has gone far enough and will not be attending the February 11, 2021, meeting.

I would never do anything to put the City of Neillsville in jeopardy of a lawsuit.  I have always tried to give my knowledge back and make our City a better place to live and work and will continue to do that as your Mayor.”

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