MADELINE ISLAND
NEWS AND INFORMATION
LOCAL NEWS AND OPINION FOR THE PEOPLE OF MADELINE ISLAND
ESTABLISHED JANUARY 2008
OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS ELECTION INFORMATION ARCHIVES CONTACT LINKS ABOUT US
|
OPINIONS, EDITORIALS AND LETTERS
TO MICHAEL ALLEN from James Rogers
TO THE CITIZENS OF MADELINE ISLAND by Marty Meyer
TO THE CITIZENS OF LA POINTE by Diane Mahn
THAT'S THE ISLAND! by Edward Itor
OPEN LETTER TO MIKE STARCK by Tim "Red" Eldred
PUBLIC LETTER TO MIKE STARCK by Jerry Smith
OPEN LETTER TO MIKE STARCK by Larry Whalen
Click here for the Opinion and Editorial Page
FROM THE ISLAND GAZETTE
FROM THE OCTOBER 2009 ISSUE
COUNTY BOARD SUPERVISOR'S ELECTION by Mike Starck
As most of us know by now there will be a special election on October 13, 2009 for the County board Supervisors to represent the 12th District (La Pointe and part of Sanborn).
Click here to read the rest of Starck's article.
SHUT UP AND PAY YOUR TAXES by Tom Nelson
I am sick to death of whiners going on and on about their high property taxes.
Click here to read the rest of Nelson's letter.
DEMOCRACY IN ACTION by Ed Hartig
So, here we have before us a recall vote for a County Board seat, a part of the continuing debacle of elections and appointments for various seats of government for the island.
Click here to read the rest of Hartig's article.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Got something that you want to share and can't wait for it to be put in the next issue of The Island Gazette? Send it to: submissions@madelineislandnews.com MORE INFORMATION COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CONFUSION UPDATED: MARCH 10, 2009 We understand that there are TWO copies of this plan floating around town, and some confusion as to which copy is the "official" copy. For more details see our An Easy To Understand Guide To The La Pointe Comprehensive Plan PROTESTING A WISCONSIN TOWN PLAN COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON ZONING CHANGES POSTED: OCTOBER 7 It's been pointed out to us that Wisconsin law allows for residents to protest a Town Plan Commission's recommendation for zoning ordinance changes through a "protest petition". FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Here's an easy to understand guide to open records laws. It tells you how to go about getting records from your government officials and what kind of records you can request. THANK YOU FROM MADELINE ISLAND NEWS by Edward Itor
POSTED: MARCH 14
Over the last year we have been enjoying more and more visitors to our site. A special "thank you" to everyone who has came back repeatedly for news, information, and OPINION concerning politics on Madeline Island.
Over the last year, our content has grown to the point where it is becoming more and more difficult to manage. We are considering a change in format and layout to accommodate all of our content.
Storage space is EXTREMELY cheap, I am told, so for as long as we can afford it, most everything that we have ever posted stays active for as long as the site remains live.
We recently made the decision to move most of the open letters, editorials, and opinion pieces to the editorial page of this site based on input from our readers and fans. We think that this will help streamline our site.
However, we do not want to get too fancy with colorful graphics, dancing icons and streaming logos. We think it only makes it hard for people with slower computers to easily access the information. For the time being, we will continue to bring you information in gray and white.
Edward Itor Madeline Island News Organization
|
LATEST NEWS
NEW!!! SPECIAL PUBLIC HEARING AND TOWN MEETING
POSTED: NOV. 30
A Public Hearing is scheduled for Monday, November
30, 2009, at Town Hall at 5:00 PM for the purpose of reviewing and
taking comment on the proposed 2010 Budget. A Budget Summary is posted
around Town, and the full proposed budget is available for viewing at
Town Hall.
BUDGET WORKSHOPS THIS WEEK
POSTED: OCTOBER 19
A series of budget workshops are being held this week for various boards and departments in the Town of La Pointe. These workshops are intended for both members and the public to determine financial needs for the upcoming year.
According to the the town's website, meetings will be held at 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at Town Hall. See www.townoflapointewi.gov for more details.
STARCK HOLDS ON TO COUNTY BOARD SEAT
POSTED: OCTOBER 14
Mike Starck held on to his seat on the Ashland County Board of Supervisors, defeating his challenger, Tom Nelson in Tuesday's recall election of District 12. Starck received a total of 104 votes to Nelson's 80. Voters in La Pointe cast 178 votes with 103 going to Starck and 70 going to Nelson. Of the six votes cast in Sanborn, Nelson received 5 of those votes.
Starck will serve out the remainder of his term which expires in April of next year.
RECALL ELECTION INFORMATION
POSTED: OCTOBER 12
The Special Recall Election on Tuesday will begin at the Fire Hall from 7am this Tuesday morning until 8pm. Residents who have not registered to vote may do so the same day of the election as long as they have proof of residence. For more information about voting, click here.
CANDIDATES FORUM TO BE HELD THIS SUNDAY
UPDATED: OCTOBER 9 POSTED: OCTOBER 8
There will be a candidate's forum on Sunday, October 11TH at the Fire Hall in La Pointe at 1pm as on Tuesday, Mike Starck will be defending the District 12 seat he currently holds on the Ashland County Board of Supervisors against Tom Nelson who is challenging Starck in a special recall election.
According to Lois Carlson of the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce, there is no sponsor for this event but The Chamber has assisted with organizing these forums in the past by setting up a location, procuring a moderator, and including the information in Chamber Infoblasts and The Monthly Events & Happenings Calendar. In an email to Madeline Island News, Carlson said "Since all elections affect our community we want to assist the voters in becoming knowledgeable about each candidate's qualifications and platform. We hope that all audience participants come with thoughtful and respectful questions to contribute to the discussion."
"HALF THE PEOPLE THAT SIGNED THE PETITION HAD ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT THEY WERE SIGNING." MIKE STARCK - ASHLAND DAILY PRESS, SEPT. 22, 2009 EDITION
POSTED THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
The Ashland County Press featured a story by reporter Rick Olvo concerning the upcoming recall election as Tom Nelson seeks to claim Starck's seat or Ashland County District 12 Supervisor.
The story is online and can be found at www.ashlandwi.com. You will need to register before you can see the complete story, however registration is free.
NELSON CHALLENGES STARCK FOR SEAT ON ASHLAND COUNTY BOARD RECALL ELECTION TO BE HELD OCTOBER 13
POSTED SEPTEMBER 16
La Pointe resident Tom Nelson will challenge Michael Starck in a special recall election to be held Tuesday, October 13 for District 12 of Ashland County Board of Supervisors. District 12 includes the towns of La Pointe and Sanborn. La Pointe resident Michael Starck won the seat a year and a half ago against Donald Moore Sr. of Sanborn, 137 votes to 42.
Last August, Nelson successfully circulated a recall petition to challenge Starck for his seat obtaining nearly 100 signatures of the 84 signatures needed. Recall elections are allowed by The Wisconsin Constitution in Section 12, Article 13. Click here for to see the Wisconsin Constitution.
Anyone wishing to run against Starck had until September 15th to gather signatures and file nomination papers with only Nelson filing papers.
Starck's term expires on April 20, 2010 and if successful in his challenge, Nelson will serve out Starck's term.
TOWN BOARD PASSES MORATORIUM ON RECENT ZONING ORDINANCE CHANGES ENFORCEMENT
POSTED SEPTEMBER 10
Last month, the Town Board passed a resolution putting a moratorium on enforcing recent zoning ordinance changes. This resolution was the result of advice from town's attorney Michael Fauerbach who sited several problems with the recently passed ordinance changes.
These changes recently became law after being approved by the Ashland County Board of Supervisors earlier this summer.
All supervisors voted for this moratorium with the exception of Supervisor Ric Gilman, who voted against it.
On the front page of the town's website (www.townoflapointewi.gov) :
Moratorium on CUP's & Non-conforming lots
-- posted on Thursday, August 27 2009
Click here for a copy of the resolution.
Click here for a copy of the meeting of August 11.
96 SIGNATURES ON PETITION FOR STARCK'S RECALL
POSTED: August 5
We have just learned that the petition circulating in the Town of La Pointe to remove Mike Starck from the Ashland County Board of Supervisors has been submitted to Ashland County with 96 signatures, 12 more signatures than the 84 needed. Wisconsin law allows for a citizen to file a recall petition against any elected official. The “right of recall”, a provision in the state constitution which dates back to 1926, was revised in 1981 and can be invoked one year after the official was elected and requires the signatures of 25% of the voting population at the time the official was elected. On June 1st, life long resident Tom Nelson filed a petition with Ashland County to circulate papers collecting signatures of members of the voting public in La Pointe and Sanborn, districts that Starck represents.
An election will now be held to replace Starck on the County Board, however it is uncertain at this time when the election will take place.
Click here to see the official notice from Ashland County
TOWN'S ATTORNEY FAUERBACH CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON RECENTLY PASSED ORDINANCES
POSTED: AUGUST 3, 2009
Town's Attorney Michael Fauerbach recently sent a letter to the Town of La Pointe Board of Supervisors advising them to put a moratorium on enforcement of Conditional Use Permits and reduced setbacks for non-conforming lots due to problems with recently passed ordinances.
Fauerbach cited conflicts with parts of the already existing zoning ordinances and advised that any further changes to the La Pointe Zoning Ordinances be submitted by someone with legal training.
In his letter, Fauerbach also expressed concerns over the legality of the process in the rewriting the ordinance and the current open meeting and open records violations complaint filed by Michael Allen and advice on how the town might defend themselves in the future from successful open meetings violation prosecutions.
Click here to read Fauerbach letter.
TPC CHAIR TED PALLAS TO TAKE TPC IN A NEW DIRECTION
POSTED: JUNE 24, 2009
The first Town Plan Commission meeting headed by newly appointed Chairperson Ted Pallas started with statements from Pallas promising a change from the way business has been conducted in the past by former chairs Carl Broberg and Christensen at his first T.P.C. meeting held Wednesday night on June 17, 2009.
At the beginning of the meeting during public comments, addressed the open meeting complaints filed by Michael Allen against former members of the T.P.C. and current Town Board of Supervisors Gilman and Fischlowitz as Pallas vowed to put an end to those accusations "starting tonight". He also explained that from now on, the public would only be allowed to speak at the beginning of the meeting, or if they had an item on the evenings' agenda. Pallas also explained that the agendas would become more detailed "so that the average person can look at it and know what the TPC is talking about." He also went on to say that previous TPC minutes are incomplete and would like to see more important information included in the minutes.
Click here for a copy of the minutes from this meeting.
THESE LAWS ARE BULLSH*T! CYBERSPACE SUCKS!" TOWN CHAIR GREG NELSON ON WISCONSIN OPEN RECORDS LAWS TED PALLAS AND CHARLES BRUMMER APPOINTED TO THE TOWN PLAN COMMISSION; PALLAS TO CHAIR
POSTED: JUNE 12
The Town of La Pointe Board of Supervisors met for their regular meeting last Tuesday night on June 9th for their regular meeting. We have not been able to obtain any minutes from this meeting as the newly elected clerk Patty Hobin does not produce draft minutes for immediate distribution as did the previous clerk Larry Whalen, who was recently elected to the Town Board. However, we have obtained the audio recording for this meeting and have provided it on our website for your benefit.
Long time residents Charles Brummer and Ted Pallas were appointed to the Town Plan Commission with Pallas also being appointed the new Chair, replacing Carl Broberg who recently resigned from the Commission.
While listening to this meeting we heard a disturbing statement from Greg Nelson concerning electronic records and Wisconsin Open Meeting laws. This discussion concerned the matter of Michael Allen's recent complaint to the Ashland District Attorney, Sean Duffy.
Click here to listen to Nelson's comments about electronic records.
Click here to listen to Nelson's comments about Wisconsin Law.
Click here to listen to the entire audio recording from this meeting.
FORMAL COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY
POSTED: JUNE 2
We have learned that there is currently a complaint filed with the Ashland County District Attorney's office against the town of La Pointe concerning open meeting and open records violations. It appears that these complaints were filed in March, 2009.
Click here to read a copy of the open records violation complaint.
Click here to read a copy of the first open meeting violation complaint.
Click here to read a copy of the second open meeting violation complaint.
Click Here for Previous News Stories
Click here for our INNER WORKINGS OF THE TPC; A Four Part Feature Story we posted during early 2008.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
FROM THE WISCONSIN CENTER FOR LAND USE WEBSITE UPDATED: MARCH 12, 2009 "A ZONING FACT SHEET" -- Planning Implementation Tools: Zoning Ordinances from the Center of Land Use Education released January 2007. Comprehensive Revision If a community wishes to incorporate “numerous and substantial changes,” in essence rewriting the zoning ordinance, the community should consider a comprehensive revision.
Following the same procedures for adopting a zoning ordinance, the community may repeal the old ordinance and adopt the new one.
Because town approval of a county zoning ordinance is required, towns may “opt out” of county zoning during a comprehensive revision. ADOPTION The process for adopting a general zoning ordinance is as follows: Upon request of the governing body, the planning and zoning committee prepares draft zoning recommendations, usually with the assistance of legal counsel, an advisory group, zoning staff, or a private consulting firm. Recommendations should be guided by and consistent with a comprehensive plan.Following publication of a class 2 notice, a public hearing is held on the draft zoning ordinance. Opportunities for public participation prior to the public hearing are usually necessary to ensure that the ordinance is understood and accepted by the public. In response to public comments, the planning and zoning committee may modify the draft zoning ordinance or forward it to the governing body with a recommendation to adopt. The governing body may also request the planning and zoning committee to perform additional work. If significant changes are made, the public hearing process should be repeated. The governing body adopts the final zoning recommendations by ordinance. Prior to adoption, cities, villages and towns are required to hold a second public hearing preceded by a class 2 notice. In order for a county general zoning ordinance to take effect in a town, the ordinance must be approved by the town board and a resolution filed with the county. Click here to read the entire document. (Editor's Note: It appears that the Town of La Pointe is ignoring the process as dictated by Wisconsin State Law. )
|
|
UPCOMING MEETINGS, PUBLIC HEARINGS, & OTHER IMPORTANT EVENTS
See Town Hall or Official La Pointe Posting Boards for details and agendas for all meetings or visit the OFFICIAL Town of La Pointe Website at:
For other events in La Pointe on Madeline Island, visit the Madeline Island Chamber of Commerce website at:
|
|
OPINIONS AND EDITORIALS ELECTION INFORMATION ARCHIVES CONTACT LINKS ABOUT US