The K Report

  Monday's Kronenwetter Village Board meeting agenda features Item I , identified by the vague title of " Ordinance 14-16" . So what is that all about? The packet report identifies this item with the objective of "To discuss changing ordinance 14-16 to allow police and fire commission members to be appointed to other committees." Now, why would they even consider this? I happen to know the backstory as to what this is all about. Unsurprisingly, it appears to be yet another example of Kronenwetter President Dan Joling's political biases and favoritism in enforcing ordinances or not enforcing them, as he so chooses. Village Ordinances Village ordinances are laws binding on those within the Village and particularly those within Village government itself , and even more particularly on the Village President who by state statute § 61.24 "... shall maintain peace and good order, see that the ordinances are faithfully obeyed ,..." ...

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...

    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.      ...