For our County Employees and Citizen Safety.
This is a follow-up regarding the Antigo Dailey Journal article of and what will happen at the November 18, 2024, 5:30pm Langlade County Board meeting; at which the public is welcome to all meetings of the board and committees.
The issue is not new but initially came forward to the Public Safety Committee had a 24-year veteran (I have not given her name here) as a Dispatcher in the Sheriff’s Department. I was a member of this committee in 2021, when she spoke. After she spoke of the lack of support, long hours, being called in at any time (on vacation of not) so the dispatch area was properly staffed; at this meeting I came out extraordinarily strong in support of her and the workers. Because of ‘my approach’ I was removed from the committee.
Fast forward to 2024 and I am now the chairperson of the Public Safety Committee, I did sit in the dispatch hours for four hours on June 12, 2024. Unknown to me our sovereign citizens in Antigo did video tape the serving of a warrant. This sovereign citizen tried to tell the driver and/or passenger what their rights were and what they did not have to do the Langlade County Sheriff on location. This video then was given to some sovereign citizen group. The video was posted state or nationwide by the sovereign citizen group. On the night I sat with the dispatchers they were receiving all kind of hate phone calls from these sovereign citizens. The callers used very “F” swear word, “C” swear word or whatever. Demanding the dispatchers must listen and not hang up. You and I would not have tolerated this; but all they said, ‘is there some type of medical emergency I can help you with.’ I have heard the person interfering and taking the video was convicted of his interference. This is the video:
At the June 24, 2024, County Board meeting: “Supervisor Curler discussed his recent attendance at Dispatch, referring staffing issues to the Personnel Committee.” This is the clean version of what I stated and briefed the County Supervisors in attendance. About: (a) about the verbal and threatening words from the sovereign citizens calling in; (b) about the 18 hour shifts of the dispatchers; (c) about, what I was told that $20,000 was the cheapest month to pay Marathon County, to back up our county at Dispatch (or I see it as at least $240000 and our county budget was balanced?); (d) about County Sheriffs willing in for dispatchers (meant pulling them off the street).
At the October 28, 2024, Langlade County Budget Hearing, and board meeting there was discussion about the sheriff’s proposal. Motion by Supervisor Curler, second by Supervisor J. Wagner to hear what the Sheriff’s proposal was that he presented back in July to the County Administrator. County Administrator Hilger stated the request was a $3 per hour raise, 40
hours of PTO upon hire and create a pay grade specifically for the Dispatchers and Corrections. Sheriff Westen responded. Discussions were held by several Supervisors regarding the Sheriff’s proposal and the proposed budget. Supervisor Dieck discusses percent increases (COLA) versus a set amount for the employees. Sheriff Westen thanked the Board. Corporation Counsel Stowe stated the borrowing resolution adoption requires a three-quarters vote and the budget resolution requires a simple majority, and future changes to the budget requires a two-thirds vote.
On November 7, 2024, there was a Public Safety meeting and the Sheriff’s proposal was discussed. This is one of the items at this meeting. 12. Sheriff’s Proposal discussed at the October 28, 2024, County Board Meeting: Sheriff Westen presented the Committee with a written letter and request to amend the 2025 Budget. Sheriff Westen states in the letter he is requesting assistance in addressing recruitment and retention issues specifically for Correction’s Officers and Emergency Dispatchers, positions unique to Langlade County services as they are the only positions that require staffing twenty-four hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. Sheriff Westen has proposed increasing the standard pay rates that have been applied since approximately 2020 to $23.00 starting, $26.00 min and $29.00 max. Additionally, Sheriff Westen is asking for a review and adjustment to the accrual rates of PTO offered to these positions. Motion by Poltrock, second by J. Wagner to forward to the full County Board the proposal from the Sheriff’s Office to amend the 2025 Budget. All ayes, motion carried.
An Administrative Committee meeting was called for on November 18, 2024, at 4pm. This is right before the Langlade County Board Meeting at 5:30. One of the items on the agenda is: 10. Discuss the Motion from the November 7, 2024 Public Safety Committee: Motion by Poltrock, second by J. Wagner to forward to the full County Board the proposal from the Sheriff’s Office to amend the 2025 Budget. All ayes, motion carried. It should be noted that the County Chair has chose not to include the resolution from the Public Safety Committee to the full county board. In my opinion, not all was ever told to the full county board of the facts I spoke of on June 24, 2024.
So, from my perspective, this is what took place, and I cannot know the outcome of the funding in the Sheriff’s Department.
There is definitely a divide between two side of county government on the facts.
I have been told that one side has asked to see how they developed their numbers and for them to look at the sheriff’s numbers. To date that did not happen.
There has been solidarity on the Public Safety Committee of our position and supporting a safe county and the welfare of its employes.
FOR SURE ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: I want to thank Joel, who has seconded all my motions on this issue; and Terry, a 42 year retired county employee, is deeply upset at issues encompassing this issue; Warren, although not in attendance, stated he supports the Sheriff.
For some that may not know, this is how you can find information about our Langlade County.
- https://www.co.langlade.wi.us/ This is the county website.
- Sections can go into: Government or Departments or Community or Employment
- In the Government you can read all the meeting minutes and in them find out the next time they meet, so you could attend.
- In the Departments is one I go to all the time is: Land Records and Conservation. The GIS Web Portal allows you to find out who owns what parcel of land and a lot more.
I am coming forward with this because I totally support our County Sheriff and the safety of our community and the welfare of the employees in this (or any) department. It was not just the one night, for four hours, that I sat and did listen how those ‘sovereign citizens’ spoke about and against them and our legal system. But, also how some have been threatened. Yes, it happens, even in Langlade County when the good citizens do not stand up.
Thank you for allowing me to be your County Supervisor and Town Chair, even if I shake the bushes a bit maybe too much. This issue is too important. Yes, I have debated to say anything but this side of me won.