December 21, 2020 – West Bend, WI – There is a full agenda Monday, December 21, 2020 for the West Bend Common Council.
One item is the appointment of Joshua McCutcheon to the West Bend Library Board.
The appointment is being made by Mayor Chris Jenkins.
McCutcheon has also filed papers with the City Clerk (candidacy and financial but so far not the required signatures) to run for District 6 alderman filling the seat left vacant following the death of Steve Hoogester.
Tracy Kessen Ahrens also filed required paperwork to run for the opening in District 6.
The Common Council must vote to approve the appointment to the Library Board.
“This is not appropriate,” said Dist. 5 alderman Jed Dolnick. “No, I didn’t know he was running (for alderman) but the point is it is not appropriate to appoint someone who is on the April 2021 ballot.”
Questioned on Sunday whether she received a call to fill a seat on a board or committee Ahrens said she had not.
McCutcheon chose to decline answering who contacted him regarding the appointment. He did indicate he would have an announcement Monday, Dec. 21, 2020.
UPDATE: The vacancy is because Doug Rakowski is stepping down.
Former Washington County Clerk and Washington County Board Supervisor Marilyn Merten has developed a reputation as a stickler for government rules and regulations. She has been dubbed a walking “Robert’s Rules of Order;” she is well versed in parliamentary procedure.
“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.”
District 2 alderman Mark Allen also was not aware McCutcheon was filing papers to run as a candidate for Dist. 6. “I wasn’t even aware there was a vacancy on the Library Board,” said Allen.
A check of the City of West Bend website archives did not turn up any list of people who signed up for boards/committees other than a request by Craig Walker to be addressed at Monday’s meeting for Park and Rec.
In November 2020 McCutcheon took part in a meeting, ‘City of West Bend Strategic Thinking Process.’ The goal was “to create a set of decision-making filters that align with the values of our community, the purpose of our government operations, and the desired future we want to achieve.”
There were 19 residents who participated including aldermen. Under the topic of ‘Values’ were listed 15 items.
UPDATE: McCutcheon did indicate during a Sunday night interview he was going to withdraw from running for Dist. 6. He also asked that his decision not be announced until he withdraw his candidacy.
McCutcheon posted the comment below:
