The "Nays" have it: the Results of the Public Safety Referendum

from Barron County's website

I'm sure by now you've heard the news. The question has been answered in a fairly resounding manner: yesterday (April 2) of the citizens who voted (457) almost 62% of us voted against the measure to allow the city council to exceed the levy limit by $350,000 annually in perpetuity in order to meet our public safety needs. Never mind that according to City Clerk Mark Eby that since there are 1,204 registered voters within the city limits only 37% of us showed up to cast our vote. For all I know that may be common for a spring election. It's a mute point. The outcome remains the same: the “nays” have it.

Maybe those who voted no did so because of their concerns about inflation and other real-and- present-danger economic matters. Maybe the timing is bad with the increase in our water and sewer rates on account of the new waste water treatment plant currently under construction and the new water tower soon to be constructed. Maybe they just don't want to pay more property taxes than they already do. Whatever their reasons clearly we (the council) did not make a convincing enough argument to persuade them otherwise. 

What does that mean in the short term?

Nothing. Our police will continue to patrol as they always have and Chetek Public Works will continue to wear the many hats they do in order to serve us all. While technically we are a “24/7” police department, the truth is we are out of service on a limited basis regularly on account of lack of staffing. It is what it is.

What does that mean longer term?

If Chetek PD wants to maintain our roster as it is now (5 full-time officers) we will need to look for other revenue streams such as the COPS grant (technically the COPS Hiring Program administered by the Department of Justice). Lucky for us our City Administrator Laura Stelzner has experience as a grant writer. That being said there are no guarantees that we will be approved for this program. 

This morning I had a conversation with Chief in his office. Obviously, like the rest of us who were favor of the question, he's disappointed that it didn't pass. Even so he wasn't hang dog about it. Rather, he displayed a “can-do” attitude and assured me that the department will carry on doing their best to keep our citizens safe. 

Dan Conway was a Hall of Fame Cross Country coach who is remembered fondly by those who either ran for him or served with him. In 1982 and 1983, Chetek ruled the entire state in what was then the Class C (now Division 3) High School Cross Country programs. He was, until his passing in 2018, a living legend. Before he died he

penned his memoirs titled Carry On Regardless. It's not only a good read but in my opinion a great way to approach life as well. Things happen, disappointments occur, plans don't work out. Even so, we must carry on regardless and finish whatever race we're running. Chief Ron Ambrozaitus and Public Works Director Dan Knapp have just this mindset with regards to the tasks set before them and for that I'm very grateful.

Even though I ran unopposed, I want to thank everyone for the vote of confidence you extended to me yesterday helping me to win another term as mayor (next week my fifth term will begin). I am very grateful for the ongoing support and attaboys I regularly receive as I seek to fulfill the office of mayor. My main goal has always been to do good work for the city that has been our home for over 32 years now. Truth be told, I love this town and I hope that during the next two years my actions as mayor will again prove that.

from Barron County's website