City Attorney Chuck Adams Violated Your Rights

On Tuesday, April 17, at the first Common Council meeting following the election, City Attorney Chuck Adams supported Mayor Sorenson in proceeding with the vote for leadership on the Common Council.

Adams prevented 10th District Alder Joe Heidemann from being sworn in due to a five-day window for an appeal of the recount results, which confirmed Heidemann’s victory.

Alder Mitchell requested the vote be delayed to allow District 10’s residents to have representation in choosing council leadership and to enable District 10’s alder to be eligible to serve in this capacity.

Mayor Sorenson incorrectly accused Alder Mitchell of being out of order, leading to an embarrassing public correction by Adams due to the mayor’s failure to correctly preside over the Common Council.

Adams asserted that the ordinance required voting on council leadership after the completion of the election.

Here is the related ordinance for electing the council president:

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 he shall not have the 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)

The ordinance clearly states that the council shall choose the president after the election and qualification of new members.

Was the qualification process complete?

Adams’s advice to move forward placed city ordinance above the Constitutional rights of District 10 residents.

The 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that all people within the state are provided equal protection under the law.

This includes fair and equitable representation in local government.

Adams violated the Constitution by depriving District 10 residents of their representation in local government!

Sheboygan’s city ordinance includes a code of ethics stating that city officials are public servants and should prioritize public interest.

Adams trampled public interest to push Sorenson’s agenda, denying District 10 residents their right to representation.

Officials are expected to observe a high standard of morality, focusing on public interest over personal considerations.

Did Adams act in the best interest of District 10 residents?

The code also states that officials should not exceed their authority and should cooperate with other public officials fully.

Did Adams exceed his authority and advise the council to do the same by excluding Alder Heidemann from the leadership vote?

District 7 Alder Grazia Perrella was elected as chairperson of the Committee of the Whole, which could convene the Ethics Committee.

If you believe City Attorney Chuck Adams’s actions violated your rights, you must demand an ethics investigation.

If you are a resident of District 10 and feel your rights have been violated, take action.

Email Alder Perrella and City Administrator Casey Bradley to request an ethics investigation into City Attorney Chuck Adams’s actions.
Alder Grazia Perella: grazia.perrella@sheboyganwi.gov
City Administrator Casey Bradley: casey.bradley@sheboyganwi.gov

Express why you believe Adams violated your constitutional right to equal protection, including your right to representation in your local government.

Do you feel you were represented in electing council leadership?

Inquire why Alder Heidemann was not sworn in if the qualification process was complete, as the ordinance states that both election and qualification must precede the election of a council president.

If you feel that Adams did not act with the public’s best interest in mind, share your concerns and state that his behavior lacked ethics according to city ordinance because you were not represented.

The City of Sheboygan is currently named in two federal lawsuits for potentially violating constitutional rights.

Adams is at the core of both cases.

Did Adams advise the council to violate your constitutional rights?

Demand the ethics investigation!

TBS has been made aware that other residents of District 10 may be taking more significant action.

Reach out if you would like to know more:
https://takebacksheboygancounty.com/contact/.

You can find the city ordinance here:
https://library.municode.com/wi/sheboygan/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH2AD_ARTIIIOFEM_DIV2COET_S2-267REPUOFEM

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!