Filicky-Peneski Laid the Foundation for Multiple Lawsuits and Chaos in Sheboygan

The past 18 months in Sheboygan have been rough. Currently, two lawsuits are pending in federal court, with several more anticipated.

Alder Roberta Filicky-Peneski played a crucial role in laying the groundwork for this chaos.

In October 2022, an effort was launched to introduce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training in Sheboygan. A chain of events ultimately led to the firing of former City Administrator Todd Wolf without cause.

Wolf’s lawsuit is making its way through federal court, with a significant update expected today.

On October 17, 2022, the Common Council entered a closed session to discuss the fallout from an incident involving an unidentified individual who shouted a racial slur during a neighborhood association meeting. At a subsequent city department head meeting, the slur was repeated while recounting the incident.

The handling of the racial incident at the neighborhood association meeting led to articles in the Sheboygan Press and public interest in the situation.

The Common Council reviewed Former City Administrator Todd Wolf’s performance. Meeting minutes show a directive for City Attorney Chuck Adams to prepare a resolution preventing Wolf from participating in the hiring of the new Human Resources Director.

This H.R. recruitment process resulted in the appointment of Adam Westbrook, who is currently facing charges of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child.

There was also a directive for Wolf to withdraw from any further public relations activities.

Closed Session Minutes:

On October 24, 2022, Alderpersons Felde and Filicky-Peneski drafted a resolution aimed at changing the responsibilities between the Mayor and City Administrator. The resolution proposed leveraging individual strengths, suggesting that Wolf, with his expertise in project management, should concentrate on that area.

The Council expressed their desire for Mayor Sorenson to manage communications, citing his proficiency in that skill.

Resolution, 10/24/2022:

Where has Mayor Sorenson been on communications lately?
There have been no comments from him regarding the former HR Director’s tenure in Sheboygan amid charges of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a minor.
Sorenson’s presence on social media has become almost nonexistent.

Filicky-Peneski also attempted to exclude Wolf from the HR Director selection process, shifting that responsibility to herself, Felde, and Mayor Sorenson.

On October 28, Mary Lynne Donohue emailed the Common Council members, Mayor Sorenson, and others with the subject line “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Issues in the City.”

Donohue identified herself as the chair of the Sheboygan Justice Equity group, which had previously submitted a Request for Proposal (RFP) focused on devising a DEI strategy for the city government.

She noted that the HR department was initially unable to participate in the RFP. However, she indicated that the search for a new HR department head presented an opportunity to incorporate this proposal into the job search and interview process.

Donohue email 10/28/2022:

At that time, former City Administrator Todd Wolf, assisted by his secretary Carrie Arenz, was leading the HR Director search.

As of October 28, there was no indication that the resolution, changing Wolf’s job responsibility to lead the search for an HR Director, had been passed by the Common Council.

Why did Donohue’s email not include Wolf or Arenz?

What did Donohue know concerning Wolf’s future at this time?

On November 1, Wolf met with Filicky-Peneski at her home, where she was recorded sharing confidential information from a closed session and using a racial slur.

CLICK HERE: FILICKY-PENESKI’S USES N-WORD

Filicky-Peneski was later reprimanded by the Common Council for violating the council’s well-established norms and values. The Common Council took the bold action of censuring Filicky-Peneski.

https://www.sheboyganpress.com/story/news/local/2023/04/12/sheboygan-city-council-member-censured-for-breaking-rules-saying-slur/70093764007

On November 7, Wolf was placed on administrative leave. By January 8, 2023, he was terminated without cause through a resolution authored by Filicky-Peneski and Felde.

These incidents have contributed to the chaos in Sheboygan.

The appointment of Adam Westbrook as HR Director and the culture of fear and intimidation that has led to lawsuits.

At two recent public events, Filicky-Peneski has evaded responsibility for the incident and her previous actions. She has insisted that her offensive remarks, made in her private home without her knowledge of being recorded, should be relegated to the past and forgotten.

This alarming behavior should not be dismissed.

It must be acknowledged.

It must be a lesson.

That starts with taking responsibility and being accountable for using racist language.

Roberta Filicky-Peneski’s actions have been instrumental in the upheaval that has shaken Sheboygan for over a year.

Despite her assertion that these events are behind her, the Council’s eroded trust speaks volumes.

In the October 28 email from Donohue, did she know information about the October 17 closed session?

Could this confidential information have been leaked to Donohue?

Alder Felde stated in a Sheboygan press article that the real punishment would be ” the council’s “lack of trust in her now.”

The Common Council has a lack of trust in Roberta Filicky-Peneski.

Should you, too?

Stay tuned for an expected update on the Wolf case coming today. There could be considerable information being released related to the investigation that led to Wolf’s firing without cause.

TBS will be watching.

Take Back Sheboygan County knows that many former and current City employees have been reluctant to share their stories for fear of retaliation. If you are one of these, we welcome you to contact us. Your name will not be shared without permission. You can contact us at https://takebacksheboygancounty.com/contact/.

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