Sorenson and Dekker Double Down on Dysfunction and Disarray

On Tuesday, April 16, the Sheboygan Common Council met for the first time with newly elected members. The agenda was set to swear in the new members and elect council leadership.

However, 10th District Alder Joe Heidemann was neither sworn in nor permitted to vote on leadership or be nominated for leadership roles.

Mayor Sorenson Tramples on Rights of District 10 Residents Again

Last summer, a resident of District 10 filed a complaint regarding Mayor Sorenson and a photo from the Pride Event. Alder Heidemann brought the complaint forward to the City Clerk to be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. Alder Heidemann could not make it home from City Hall before receiving a call from the Clerk stating Mayor Sorenson had removed the agenda item.

This action blocked any council discussion and silenced public comment.

Mayor Sorenson Trampled on Your Right to Free Speech

In this council meeting, Sorenson, with the assistance of City Attorney Chuck Adams, not only stifled your right to free speech but also stripped you of your right to be represented.

Your alder was denied the opportunity to vote on who would lead the council.
Your alder was barred from being considered for a leadership position.

As a resident of District 10, you were silenced and disenfranchised.

Alder Mitchell proposed a motion to delay the election of council leadership until all city residents could be represented.

Mayor Sorenson immediately interjected, claiming the motion was out of order, and sought Adams’s counsel.

Adams corrected the mayor’s misunderstanding of council proceedings by clarifying that the motion was not out of order but in violation of city ordinance.

Adams referenced the following ordinance:

Sec. 2-119. – Council president as presiding officer.

The council, at its first meeting subsequent to the regular election and qualification of new members, shall, after organization, choose from its members a president, who, in the absence of the mayor, shall preside at meetings of the council. During the absence or inability of the mayor, the council president shall have the power and duties of the mayor, except that he shall not have power to approve an act of the council which the mayor has disapproved by filing objections with the Clerk. He shall when so officiating be styled “acting mayor.” The council president shall serve as vice-chairman of the committee of the whole.

(Code 1975, § 2-69)

Adams advised the council to move forward with electing its leadership.

This decision stripped District 10 residents of their right to be represented.

The statute specifies “subsequent to the regular election and qualification of new members.”

Was the qualification process completed if Alder Heidemann was not sworn in?

Did Attorney Chuck Adams provide poor legal advice in full view of the public?

If you live in District 10, you deserve better.

Review your property tax bill. You pay more than most residents in this city. You contribute.

You have the right to the most basic form of representation our democracy allows—your city government alder.

Will you allow this disenfranchisement to continue?

District 10 residents must take action to safeguard their fundamental rights!

Do not let Sorenson continue to trample you.

TBS is committed to supporting residents who feel Adams and Sorenson have wronged them.

If you believe you have been wronged, please contact us here:
https://takebacksheboygancounty.com/contact/.

If you are tired of having Mayor Sorenson’s Cole Haans stomping on your throat, email him today with your concerns:
ryan.sorenson@sheboyganwi.gov.

If you are concerned about City Attorney Chuck Adams’s role in keeping your tax dollars safe from legal issues, email City Administrator Casey Bradley:
casey.bradley@sheboyganwi.gov.

There will be further developments following these decisions.

TBS stands with the victims of this blatant abuse of power.

Alder Heidemmann did not miss any meetings during the same time period that Alder Felde and Ackley failed to show up.

This is a disgrace to a dedicated and committed public servant.

This level of disarray is why the City of Sheboygan is facing TWO federal lawsuits right now.

Enough is enough!

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/.

You are the solution! Be part of a movement to improve your community!