Muskego Recall May Cost More Than Dollars

I was pleased - no, thrilled - to see that every seat on the Common Council this year's election ballot had a challenger. For District 1, a primary will be required on Feb. 21 to whittle the candidates down to two.

It tells me that people are committed enough to serve their community, and are willing to work hard to earn a vote. Competition for offices also allows residents to hear what each candidate's position is on an issue.

Last year, only one of four districts had a challenger, which made for a very short candidates forum. Kert Harenda, Noah Fiedler and Neome Schaumberg were therefore present, but not peppered with questions, and couldn't really debate to defend a position.

As stirrings of a recall effort against the mayor and other aldermen begin, I am concerned that this might be the last year that we get people fighting over a seat on the council. While I may not agree with everyone's position on an issue having sat through countless council meetings, I understand there is a difference in philosophy, and agree with Alderman Dan Soltysiak's statement from Jan. 24 that everyone presently serving is always looking for opportunities for economic development.

Elections have consequences, and if no one cares enough to contest a sitting council member, that's no one's fault except an indifferent electorate. In addition, the last election held for mayor yielded a 49 percent turnout, bouyed overall to 52 percent given the supreme court election between David Prosser and Joann Kloppenberg.

While that's better than most turnouts, it's still only half of us.  The 2008 election posted numbers even lower, with 40 percent casting ballots in the mayors race between John Johnson and Nancy Salentine. Similar numbers were recorded in the aldermanic races as well.

Being engaged in the political process is fantastic, but constant suspicion over the people we elect isn't healthy. Aldermen make the princely sum of $293.79 every two weeks, so new blood won't likely be coming to the table because it's a great paycheck (nor should they, really). If the trend becomes to remove those we disagree with before they complete a term, I'm not sure anyone will want to step up, at any price.

The result long term can become a legislative process that can't get off the ground to help anyone because of the continuous state of elections and recalls, with no one willing to run.

Proceed with caution and care, and vigilance always on those who represent us. There are tools in place to ensure this, and they are called elections, but they don't work if we don't use them.