December 22, 2020 – West Bend, WI – The West Bend Common Council voted on several appointments Monday night. There was an initial effort to table the appointment of Joshua McCutcheon to the West Bend Library Board but after discussion to clear up an apparent conflict, that too passed.
Initially while discussing the appointment Dist. 2 alderman Mark Allen made the motion. “We should table the appointment until the next meeting,” he said.
Mayor Chris Jenkins said he attempted to email the council so if there was any confusion…
Allen jumped in and asked, “Can you explain why I didn’t get anything on this until Friday night late because this whole thing happened late Friday at best and I get an email from the city administrator Sunday night at 10 o’clock or something like that … but I heard about it before that because I was asked about it,” he said.
WashingtonCountyInsider.com placed a number of calls Sunday night and spoke with Allen at 8:46 p.m.
His question was the same as ours, “Who was leaving the Library Board and why wasn’t that information public.”
Jenkins said the resignation happened Friday and because the library is hiring a new director the thought was to fill the post ASAP.
It took until Monday morning before District 5 alderman Jed Dolnick confirmed the opening on the library board came via the resignation of Doug Rakowski.
During the Monday evening meeting Dolnick seconded the motion to table the appointment. “Just the chain of events and the timing with his candidacy…. ,” he said.
WashingtonCountyInsider.com ran a story Monday morning about how McCutcheon was being appointed to the library board and running for Dist. 6 alderman. Approval of his appointment would be legit but a couple aldermen said that vote may appear as if they were giving a leg up to McCutcheon in the race in District 6.
McCutcheon did say during an interview Sunday night he was stepping out of the aldermanic race, but he asked that information not be released until he was ready.
During Monday night’s meeting the city clerk confirmed McCutcheon had verbally withdrawn his candidacy from running for Dist. 6 alderman.
McCutcheon did not confirm who called him with short notice about the appointment.
Tracy Ahrens is also running for the open seat in District 6. She said she did not get any calls to be appointed to any committees.
Former Washington County Clerk Marilyn Merten has developed a reputation as a stickler for government rules and regulations and is well versed in parliamentary procedure. Merten weighed in on the initial story questioning whether there was a conflict.
“It is legitimate (to make the appointment) but it does give the candidate some extra notoriety,” said Merten. “If there was not anybody else to appoint, then it is a matter of routine operations however, it does look suspicious for the public.”
Moving forward, District 8 alderwoman Meghann Kennedy said Monday night, “I take him at his word that he is not going to be seeking election on Dist. 6,” she said. “I don’t want to give anyone a leg up in an election timeframe but if he said he is not doing that … I see no problem with McCutcheon joining the library board as a citizen appointment.”
The council then voted to appoint McCutcheon to the library board.
The even-numbered seats on the council are up for election in April 2021. Required paperwork and signatures must be turned in by January 5, 2021 to be on the Spring ballot.
Other appointments approved Monday:
Appointment of Ald. Butschlick to the Plan Commission
Appointment of Mike Husar to the BID Board
Appointment of Tony Jasen to the BID Board
Appointment of Tony Koebel to the BID Board
Appointment of Craig Walker to the Parks and Recreation Commission
Appointment of Ald. Koehler to the Traffic and Safety Commission