MADELINE ISLAND NEWS AND INFORMATION

Editorial

RESPONSE TO THE FIRING OF DICK HOFFMAN

by Edward Itor

Posted:  January 19

We were surprised at the recent removal of Commissioner Hoffman from the Town Plan Commission.  For anyone who has attended Town Plan Commission meetings or listened to the recordings, it is clear that Hoffman is very knowledgeable about the Town of La Pointe.  We think we understand his resignation from the Winter Transportation Committee.  If you aren't going to be here in the wintertime, why be on the Winter Transportation Committee?

We don't see how the logic of resign from the WTC would be the same for resigning from the TPC, especially since he WAS attending the TPC meetings, at least by telephone.

We think his (and other board, commission, and committee members) attending meetings via telephone, is perfectly acceptable.  In the 21st century, this is the norm in corporate America.  Many 'employees' now work at home for a variety of reasons and it is more common place to attend company meetings via telephone.

Granted, the Town of La Pointe Town Hall most likely does not have a telephone system that can accommodate multiple-line conference calls, however, there are work-around solutions available for a small fee through a number of telecom companies.

Greg Nelson stated at a recent Town Board meeting,  "...there seems to be enough people interested in participating on the Town Plan Commission."  However, when the position was briefly posted (BEFORE Hoffman was "fired"), only two people applied.

Or could Hoffman been fired for another reason, not stated?

We find it ironic that Hoffman was the only TPC Commissioner to vote AGAINST the proposed Junk/Nuisance Property Ordinance.

We also find it ironic that before Hoffman was fired by the Town Board, the Town Plan Commission voted to amend their bylaws with an attendance requirement and that all members, except for Hoffman, voted for it.  Maybe his refusal to "go along with the crowd" was the reason for his removal and his fellow Commissioners amending their by-laws.

We admire Hoffman's attempts to participate in town government via telephone, however, by firing him from the TPC, one might assume that the idea of teleconferencing is TOO MODERN for the current Town Board.  This seems to be the same kind of thinking that reasons "We can't do something new because we've never done it that way before."

It seems that the Town of La Pointe is always dragging their feet when it comes to moving forward with the times, sometimes even taking pride in 'not being like anywhere else'.  The fact that there is no official Town of La Pointe website is evidence enough. 

If you search the internet, you will find many, many towns in Wisconsin have websites (click here to help you find examples).   It is on these websites that you can find information about their Smart Growth Plans and what they are doing with their laws and ordinances.   However, in La Pointe, trying to get information about what is going on in town government can be an arduous task.  That's why this website exists.

Currently the Town Board is still talking about a website.  We're not going to hold our breath waiting as town officials have been talking about it for years.  As of today, it is still talk.

I find this saddening, especially since there is much talk around town about the current group of "would-be rule makers" and the work they have been trying to keep from the public.  (The would-be rule makers I am referring to are the Town Plan Commissioners.)

Perhaps if the public were more aware of their actions and work, the outcome of February's primary election may have been different.

Edward Itor

Madeline Island News Organization

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