Muskego Recalls Are Not the Answer, Elections Are

To the Editor: No More Recalls

RECALL!  RECALL!  RECALL!  We have heard these shouts for about a year now and they begin anew every time an elected official does something that a vocal segment of society heartily objects to.  Recalls were traditionally (and rarely) used to remove someone from office for criminal or highly unethical practices.  Today, however, recall proponents wish to undue elections simply because the people that they (as a citizenry) elected are not acting as they hope they would have.  Just because recalls are allowed in these circumstances doesn’t make it right.

Now the recall chants are being heard here in Muskego.  Why?  Because the Mayor and certain Aldermen are simply doing something that is unpopular?  That is not a reason to recall someone.  In fact, sometimes we need people to make hard and unpopular decisions; it is often how great and significant things get accomplished.  Make no mistake, this Lake Park issue is not one of those “great and significant things”; but one day we may have representation that is capable of doing bold things that are worthwhile and truly for the good of the City, and every time that situation arises, the specter of recall shouldn’t be continually hanging over their heads.

In addition, we have a responsibility to elect competent public officials.  When we do not, that is on us and the next election is the chance to correct it.  It is clear that many in Muskego believe we have elected certain officials that are in over their head or dishonest or untruthful or some combination thereof.  I have heard in more than one conversation our Mayor being referred to as “Kathy the Clown”  or “Clown Kathy”.  This reflects horribly on Muskego.  We are the butt of jokes.  But, again, we chose these people and we have to live with them until we can get rid of them.

I know it is tempting to “give them some of their own medicine”, follow the lead of the leftist recall movement and recall every local official that talks one way and acts another, but that temptation needs to be tempered by a large dose of intellectual honesty.  If we dismiss the Walker Recall as the product of a bunch of crybabies who cannot deal with their loss of power, we cannot, at the same time, claim recalling Chiaverotti is anything more than a distinction without a difference.

With this Lake Park issue front and center, people are beginning to question her competence, her motives and her tone-deafness.  The point, really, is that the time to do that was election time.  That time will come again and everyone will have the chance to speak loud and clear.  We need to respect the process even if many no longer respect the individual.

 Kyle Honner