The K Report

Back in March of 2026, a reporter's questionnaire for trustee candidates included this question -" What do you see as the most important issue facing Kronenwetter over the next five years, and how would you address it as a member of the village board?" My answer was (with added emphasis): "I guess that since we have covered a lot of topics already, I would have to say that what Kronenwetter needs is a fundamental upgrade in ideals and PRINCIPLES to operate by. We have had at least three ethics codes, and they have failed because they were created for unethical and politicized reasons. Fundamental principles are not like an "ethics code", or mission statement. A good set of principles embedded into a code of conduct would be a guide to decision making. not a political weapon. Clear basic principles makes decision making better and easier because it eliminates all the mind clutter of typical politics, factions, etc."    Kronenwetter's government, b...

  Code of Conduct for Village Officials and Officers  Below is the draft of a set of standards proposed for all Kronenwetter Village officials and officers that is based partially on the text of the thesis I wrote and presented to the Board in 2019 called "Fundamentals of Village Government".     I worked on this code with trustee Tim Shaw, converting the ideas of that original writing into this Code of Conduct.      This Code at least sets some classic, noble standards to try to maintain.   Village of Kronenwetter Code of Conduct for Village Officials and Officers The Village Board of Kronenwetter recognizes that the Wisconsin Constitution is the basis for all local government authority in this state.Article I section 22 of that constitution defines the ethical standards necessary to maintain a free government. “Article I, Section 22 states - “The blessings of a free government can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, moderatio...

   An October 10 Wausau Pilot article talks about Kronenwetter admin James Davel's plan to revive once again the idea for an (ethics) "code of conduct"    I guess I missed the part where there is even a need for something like this. It reminds me of what the Prophet Jeremiah said - " they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.” Isn't that the current Kronenwetter government in a nutshell?    What exactly has Davel accomplished in the past year that is good for the Village? Yet, here he is again stirring the pot of mischief and drama, and appearing to pursue more self-interest at Village reputational expense. In my opinion, Davel calling for an ethics code and "ethics board" to supervise elected officials is like the pot calling the silverware black. This item has nothing to do with legally defined ethics , which is already defined and enforced in State Statutes. What Davel is touting here a "Code of Conduct...

    On Oct 7, Wausau Pilot posted an article about Kronenwetter Administrator Davel wanting to charge requesters of public information before providing it.   After reading this article, think that Davel sounds like a whining baby. I personally would not believe a word he says, as in my opinion there always seems to be some ulterior, self-servng or otherwise manipulative motive. He seems to be piggy-backing his complaints on the Wausau/Weston bandwagon to vilify and/or monetize open records requests as one of numerous excuses to raise revenue which in turn seems to be wasted without a second thought. One of his old Army officer habits, I guess.    Basically the issue  all comes down to yet another example of the laziness and employee sense of entitlement that we have seen in the past few months under Davel's influence.  A New Tune     It's strange, because we never heard complaints that the information requests were "killing ...

      A few months ago Kronenwetter was presented with a preliminary plan for a   60-lot development in the NE corner of the Village Water and Sewer District.  Normally this would be a great opportunity to break the Village's growth-drought of the past couple of years.     Unfortunately, it appears that no one at the Village knows the difference between a "preliminary plan" which is like an "initial offer" (or starting point),  and a "final plan" which is the product of discussion including the Village's interests in the project.      On Sept 28, the Kronenwetter Village Board voted unanimously to approve the  preliminary plan  by a company called  Green Tree, as is, with only the most minor of tweaks suggested by the Plan Commission.    This appears to me to be yet another example of the staff/Village Board ineptitude and Charlie-Brownish inability to do anything right.      ...