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!
TBS was made aware that Assistant City Attorney Liz Majerus now has the title of Deputy City Attorney. TBS was able to locate the title approval in documents related to the passing of the budget, but there is no other documentation of this title change.
The city organization table lists Majerus as the Deputy City attorney. Majerus has changed her email signature to reflect this change in title. TBS has heard from multiple city employees, but there has been no announcement on Majerus’ change in title.
TBS has reviewed documents from the Finance and Personnel Committee and finds no supporting documentation for this title change.
There is no:
Job description
Salary schedule
Documents forwarded from Human Resources
If you are a member of the Common Council, is this how changes in titles and new positions are handled?
Is it normal for the Council to be completely excluded from this process?
TBS has talked to multiple leaders in different city departments and has been told that this would not be tolerated if they tried to do this.
Why can Chuck Adams and City Attorney’s office employees change titles without going through the Council?
The reason is Chuck Adams does not care about you being represented by your elected officials.
This was evident when he advised the Council to move forward without residents of District 10 being represented in voting for council leadership or their alderman serving in council leadership.
TBS has been informed that the new City Administrator, Casey Bradley, has outsourced development contracts from Adams’s office to an outside firm due to Adams and Majerus’s inability to execute critical development deals.
TBS was informed that the massive subdivision development in Sheboygan Falls designed to increase the labor force was initially slated to be within the City of Sheboygan.
The developers chose Sheboygan Falls due to the challenges of working with the City of Sheboygan.
Adams asked for an additional assistant city attorney and was granted the position in the passing of this year’s budget. The position is currently posted.
It is mid-April, and the job has been posted.
Why was this position not posted in January if the workload was such an issue in the Attorney’s office?
Chuck Adams has failed you as a taxpayer.
Adams has:
Refused to investigate former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook for lying to citizens in an email regarding an investigation.
Bullied a local radio station for posting an article regarding Westbrook’s resignation.
Wrote a letter defending Westbrook but refused to write a letter correcting the negative public perception of former Director of Planning and Development Chad Pelishek.
Provided guidance to Council in terminating Todd Wolf without cause, which has led to two current federal lawsuits against the City of Sheboygan.
There are currently two Department of Workforce Development complaints against the city that may lead to MORE lawsuits.
Adams robbed an entire district of Sheboygan of the right to representation by their local government by advising the Common Council to move forward without 10th District Alder Joe Heidemann. This may result in another claim of violations of Constitutional rights under Adams’s watch.
Adams gave a title change to Liz Majerus without any involvement of your elected officials.
When Adams advised the Common Council to fire Todd Wolf without cause, one of the reasons was that the City felt Wolf might have put the City at legal risk and could be a legal liability.
On April 30, the City and Wolf will meet in federal court for mediation. A financial settlement is highly likely.
This will be paid for by you.
Examine the list above and ask yourself who may be the legal liability for the City of Sheboygan.
Is Chuck Adams the real liability?
Are you fed up with the never-ending lawsuits?
Are you fed up with bad legal advice to your Common Council?
If you are a resident of District 10, are you fed up that Adams advised the Common Council to rob you of your constitutional right to be represented by your elected official?
Are you concerned that Deputy Attorney Liz Majerus’ new position does not have a job description or salary schedule?
How much is Majerus making?
Nothing will change if you don’t demand it.
Nobody will come and save Sheboygan other than you.
Are you ready to demand change to protect your hard-earned tax dollars?
Email the Committee of the Whole Chairperson Grazia Perella and demand an ethics investigation into Chuck Adams for denying District 10 representation in their local government. grazia.perrella@sheboyganwi.gov
Email City Administrator Casey Bradley and demand that he look into the Attorney’s office and the change in title of Liz Majerus with no Common Council involvement. casey.bradley@sheboyganwi.gov
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!
According to a Sheboygan Press article covering the Common Council organization meeting, City Attorney Chuck Adams informs us that the losing candidate for the District 10 alder seat made the decision to prevent residents of District 10 from being represented in the selection of council leadership.
Adams is quoted as saying, “While I indicated our office’s willingness to work with her to draft such a written waiver, she made the decision not to pursue this.” Adams added, “This was within her rights to decide.”
Marcia Reinthaler led the effort to infringe on the constitutional rights of residents of District 10.
Reinthaler denied her own neighbors the right to be represented in their government.
Chuck Adams stated it was her right.
Why did the losing candidate have more power than the winning candidate in the election of council leadership — the power to trample the rights of your neighbors to be represented?
The election was on April 2. The results were available that evening.
The Sheboygan Press article states that Reinthaler waited until April 8 to file the request for a recount.
Why did Reinthaler wait so long?
Was this a coordinated effort to run out the clock to prevent Heidemann from being sworn in?
Mayor Sorenson reacted quickly to Alder Mitchell’s request to delay the vote until ALL citizens of Sheboygan had representation.
Mayor Sorenson incorrectly called it out of order and was embarrassingly corrected by Adams due to his lack of understanding of city ordinances and his failure to lead a Common Council meeting correctly.
TBS is surprised that City Attorney Adams publicly points the finger at Reinthaler in the Sheboygan Press.
Marcia, if you feel that Adams is being dishonest or unethical by stating you chose to deny your neighbors their right to fair representation, please email TBS with your side of the story. https://takebacksheboygancounty.com/contact/
If you do not respond, TBS will assume your silence implies you did indeed decide to strip the most fundamental right from the residents of your own neighborhood.
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!
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.
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!
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 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!
TBS has recently discovered that the book “Invisible Monsters” is in the North High School Library. This book is vile, pornographic, and disgusting.
This is the second incident of a book with inappropriate content found at North High in the past month. Palahniuk’s Invisible Monsters was originally rejected by the publisher for being too disturbing.
“Invisible Monsters” includes a quote from a scene depicting the family eating Thanksgiving dinner:
This is only one passage, there are many more examples of this type of crude, vulgar, appalling, and horrific language.
Is this how you raise your children?
Does this reflect your family values?
Would your family talk like this over Thanksgiving dinner?
If you answered NO to any of these questions, you must act now!
In January 2023, the Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) was made aware of pornographic graphic novels in the library of South High School.
SASD leadership has done nothing to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
Incoming Superintendent Jake Konrath and School Board President Mary Lynne Donohue have failed to keep vulgar content from the SASD libraries.
Are you frustrated with Donohue and Konrath failing your kids?
This is the second controversial book discovered at North High.
If you are frustrated by the failure of SASD leadership to protect the children of Sheboygan, you must act now!
Email North High School principal John Matczak and demand that Invisible Monsters and Push be removed from North High School.
Email incoming superintendent Jake Konrath and ask what steps he will take to stop this from continuing to happen. High school libraries should not be places where kids learn about felching!
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!
You are at a critical moment as a taxpayer. The common council has repeatedly failed you.
Have you seen a decrease in the quality of your services? Have you seen an increase in your property tax bill?
Your city is in a rough spot. There are currently two federal lawsuits against your city. One is in mediation now and may be moving to an expensive settlement.
This will cost you money as a taxpayer.
The marina is being poorly managed and consistently neglected. The Southpointe industrial park is empty. There must be a clear plan of action moving forward.
Dean Dekker is the president of the Common Council. He has led this massive failure of your city government for the past year. He is more concerned about the mayor’s political agenda than your interests.
Dean Dekker went on record at the council meeting where former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook resigned.
Westbrook has since been charged with sex crimes against his adopted children. Others have been arrested for sending Westbrook videos of humans having sex with animals. There are allegations of videos of people having sex with dogs, cows, and horses.
Dean Dekker defended Westbrook passionately. Dekker stated that a small but vocal group bullied an employee to resign. He said Sheboygan is better than this.
Email Alder Dekker and tell him this has to stop. Encourage him to allow a new leader to step forward—one who will, at minimum, require alders to show up!
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!
TBS is shocked that this is not the only instance of Alders failing to serve their district and the city of Sheboygan. Alder Betty Ackley has also failed to fulfill the most basic requirements of the job by not showing up.
In the past six months, Ackley has missed:
47% of Common Council meetings
75% of Committee of the Whole meetings
80% of Licensing, Hearings, and Public Safety Committee meetings
71% of Finance and Personnel Committee meetings
Betty Ackley has failed to deliver to the residents of Sheboygan as an alder.
Dean Dekker has enabled this behavior. Dean Dekker does not lead the council effectively. Dean Dekker is unfit to serve as President of the Common Council. Dekker has a history of failed leadership by allowing two alders not to show up!
Citizens have emailed city officials after a previous post about Barb Felde’s failure to serve as an alder.
The common response is that there is nothing that can be done.
Mayor Sorenson has stated that he does not have the power to remove a member of the Common Council.
That is a lie.
Section 2-33 of the Sheboygan Municipal Code states:
“Sec. 2-33. – Control of members. The common council shall be the judge of the election and qualifications of its members, may compel their attendance, and may fine or expel a member for neglect of duty. (Code 1975, § 2-23)
Mayor Sorenson is the presiding officer of the Common Council. Dean Dekker is the Council President.
As leaders of the council, they have the authority to compel attendance and expel members for neglect of duty.
Why has Council President Dean Dekker not held Alders accountable?
There is no more precise definition of neglect of duty than failing to attend required meetings.
Could you neglect your job 47% of the time and remain employed?
The real world does not operate this way. So why should the Common Council of Sheboygan?
If Dean Dekker was as committed to serving you as President of the Council as he was to defending former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook, who is facing federal charges for sex crimes against children and allegedly received videos of humans committing sexual acts with animals from his dog groomer, he would move to remove Alder Felde immediately.
When is enough going to be enough for you? Two federal lawsuits Alders not showing up A culture of fear and intimidation was allowed under Dekker’s watch
Are you ready to take action now? You must act today.
Email Mayor Sorenson and demand that he holds Council President Dekker accountable for failing to serve you as President of the Council.
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!
The Common Council meeting on March 18 was pivotal in deciding who would fill the vacant seat created by Amanda Salazar’s resignation. However, the meeting could not start on time because there were not enough alders showing up to form a quorum.
Mayor Sorenson has failed to lead his Council in showing up for meetings.
The most shocking absences were those of Alders Barb Ackley and Angela Ramey. Alder Barb Felde, who was supposed to sign on virtually, was not present at the start.
These three alders, who failed to appear, are known to be loyal to Mayor Sorenson except in their most basic duty—showing up to conduct the business of the City of Sheboygan.
The meeting was delayed eight minutes due to a lack of quorum.
Approximately two minutes in, City Attorney Adams can be heard stating that there is a council provision and an ordinance allowing the Chief of police to find the missing alders. Mayor Sorenson asks what provision before the microphones are shut off.
City Attorney Adams was suggesting to Mayor Sorenson that the Chief of Police could physically locate the absent alders and bring them to City Hall for the meeting.
Mayor Sorenson nearly had to resort to using the power of the police chief just to get his alders to show up!
Witness the discomfort of eight minutes, which feels like an eternity, as you watch your mayor fail you as a resident of Sheboygan.
Although Alder Felde eventually logged on remotely, this incident raises concerns about her attendance and capability to serve.
Alder Felde has a troubling attendance record for Common Council meetings.
Out of the last 15 meetings, she has been absent eight times.
She logged in remotely for five of them and was physically present only twice.
Felde does not show up to serve you!
Could you show up less than half the time to your job?
Felde’s committee attendance record highlights her failure to serve her residents and the city of Sheboygan.
She has missed 70% of the last 10 Licensing, Hearings, and Public Safety Committee meetings, where she serves as Vice Chair.
Felde has not attended the last seven Finance and Personnel Committee meetings.
This is not acceptable.
The residents of District 1 deserve an alder who will show up.
The City of Sheboygan deserves an alder who is present for two essential committees.
Barb Felde is failing the residents of District 1 and Sheboygan.
The responsibility to address this lies with the Council leadership.
Mayor Sorenson and Council President Dean Dekker must act and provide the leadership needed to correct Barb Felde’s massive failure as an alder!
If Dean Dekker took his role as Council President as seriously as he defended former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook, who is facing federal charges for sex crimes against children, he would initiate the replacement of Felde immediately.
Mayor Sorenson, as the presiding member of the Common Council, is responsible for leading the Council.
But…
He cannot even ensure the alders show up!
If Mayor Sorenson cannot lead the Council, how can he lead Sheboygan?
If you are a District 1 resident, you must demand more from your alder.
If you live in Sheboygan, you must insist on a full council representing you.
This is an issue for the entire city!
Email Council President Dean Dekker and Mayor Sorenson to demand that they lead and remove Alder Felde immediately for her failure to meet the obligations of her position.
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!
TBS has been reflecting on the moral ineptitude of the local leadership, driven by the local Democratic Party. This came full circle yesterday with a high-level Democratic operative being officially charged with election fraud.
That’s right—election fraud right here in Sheboygan, in the most basic form of our democracy, for a seat on your Common Council.
A theft of a political opponent’s election literature.
An act of election fraud recorded on camera—a suspect who admitted to stealing a political opponent’s literature.
Something that is so fundamentally wrong it should be assumed everyone can agree on this.
That assumption has been proven false.
Local Democratic supporters denounced the story’s relevance. Some suggested on social media that the theft was a kind act by Deb Klock because it prevented the candidate from committing a federal crime by placing election materials in a mailbox.
An extensive police investigation uncovered only one crime: election fraud by a member of the local Democratic Party in coordination with Alder Zach Rust’s re-election campaign.
It seems like an easy political opportunity to own the mistake and apologize.
Far from it, Zach Rust, who is running for re-election and was questioned in the criminal investigation, has neither apologized nor acknowledged his campaign’s mistakes.
A local Democratic Party activist’s account on X, GoSheboygan, referred to individuals and the Sheboygan Police Department as a “bunch of retards.”
A local political activist, identifying as Blossom on X, “liked” the tweet.
The term “retard” is considered outdated and offensive. It is a hurtful word that diminishes people with disabilities. It is regarded as hate speech. A campaign called “Spread the Word to End the Word” raises awareness of the need to eliminate this term.
Yet, local Democratic Party activists have used and “liked” the term.
Candidate Roberta Filicky-Peneski, running for re-election for the 2nd District seat on the Common Council, was recorded using the N-word.
She has not acknowledged her mistake or apologized during this campaign, stating instead that she was in the comfort of her own home and recorded without her knowledge.
People show their true selves in the safety of their homes. When someone like Filicky-Peneski tells you who they are, believe them.
City Attorney Chuck Adams ardently defended former Human Resources Director Adam Westbrook, who has since been charged in federal court with sex crimes against children.
None of them, nor anyone else from the City of Sheboygan, has denounced Adam Westbrook’s actions.
Mayor Sorenson appeared in a photo that mocked the Catholic faith. There were concerns about religious discrimination. Sorenson removed a citizen complaint from a Common Council agenda, effectively silencing the community.
Mayor Sorenson could have simply acknowledged the feelings of others and apologized for making city employees and residents feel small by apologizing for minimalizing the religious beliefs of residents and employees.
Co-chair of the local Democratic Party, Mary Lynne Donohue, described herself as the chair of a social justice project and encouraged DEIB work in city government.
Donohue is on record at a school board meeting referring to the “growth formula” of the state report card as an intergalactic formula that nobody can understand.
The formula, a DEIB initiative, gives schools credit for increasing achievement among traditionally underperforming groups: kids of color, kids living in poverty, and kids with disabilities.
Kids with disabilities, the same group GoSheboygan carelessly referred to as “retards” on X.
Kids that need support from a true social justice warrior.
Donohue also serves as the School Board President of the Sheboygan Area School District, which is under scrutiny for allowing a sexually graphic book titled ‘Push’ in the North High School library.
This is the second incident involving graphic sexual content in a SASD library in the past 15 months. Donohue has taken no action as School Board President to prevent this from continuing to happen.
These individuals tell you that you lack understanding of:
Diversity
Equity
Inclusion
Belonging
Yet none of these actions demonstrate a commitment to genuinely enhancing any of these principles. The controlling Democrats’ reckless behavior in Sheboygan has resulted in two federal lawsuits.
In one suit, the Federal Magistrate indicates there is reason to investigate a hostile work environment that was not prevented but was perpetuated by Mayor Sorenson — a suit that is moving forward based on a white, Christian, heterosexual male being discriminated against.
A second complaint with the Department of Workforce Development has forced the city to hire outside lawyers. That complaint states a white, heterosexual female was harassed while working for the City of Sheboygan.
The actions of the members of the Sheboygan County Democratic Party are rooted in:
Division
Exclusion
Indoctrination
Blasphemy
Take a look at the well-documented evidence of what DEIB looks like in Sheboygan under the leadership of the Sheboygan County Democratic Party here:
When is enough going to be enough for you? Are you ready to take action?
Filicky-Peneski and Rust are unfit to serve.
There is a local election today. Polls close at 8:00 p.m.
Go vote!
Today’s election does not mean an end but rather a beginning.
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!
Longtime Sheboygan County Democratic Party (Democratic Party) activist Deb Klock has been charged with “Election Fraud – Deface Campaign Poster” charges for her work with the reelection campaign of Sheboygan Alderman Zach Rust.
On February 18, there was a Ring doorbell alert about a person removing something from a resident’s door. Citizens suspected that the person removing Roethel’s campaign literature might be Deb Klock. It was later determined that the literature belonged to District 8 Common Council candidate Jesse Roethel.
Klock is not just a Democratic Party activist; she is prominent in a picture dating back to 2017, positioned in the front row. In the middle, Klock is flanked by the party’s co-chairs, Mary Lynne Donohue and Maeve Quinn.
In the report, Klock states that she has been trained on proper campaigning procedures. Most shockingly, Klock also reveals that she trains other Democratic Party members on campaign policies.
Klock is a leader in the Democratic Party. She educates others. She has been photographed with senior leadership. She is the Sheboygan County Democratic Party.
Klock is charged with Election Fraud!
According to the complaint, the Democratic Party dispatched Klock to this neighborhood with specific addresses to visit based on prior voting data. She was part of a coordinated effort between the Democratic Party and incumbent Alderman Zach Rust.
How long has this type of corrupt and dirty politics been going on in Sheboygan under the current leadership of the local Democratic Party?
Klock’s Story Does Not Seem Truthful
Klock claims she had concerns that the literature did not meet election laws by failing to state who paid for the materials. She indicated she was collecting the literature to report back to the Democratic Party of Sheboygan.
However, Rust and a local party member said it would not be good practice to remove another candidate’s literature, even if there were concerns. The witness at the Democratic Party was unaware of the whereabouts of the materials or whether Klock had submitted them.
Did Klock lie in an investigation by law enforcement?
Rust Remains Silent
The complaint indicates that Zach Rust was aware of the election fraud investigation. Rust has not contacted Jesse Roethel to apologize. They have attended two public forums together, yet Rust has never addressed the alleged criminal acts by Klock, who acted under the guidance of the Democratic Party of Sheboygan.
Rust Is Unfit to Serve
Zach Rust’s campaign has been under criminal investigation since February 19, yet he has neither apologized nor acknowledged any wrongdoing. As the head of the Common Council’s ethics committee, Rust’s failure to address these issues is telling.
How can the head of the Ethics Committee fail to acknowledge criminal activity within his campaign, especially when coordinated by the Democratic Party of Sheboygan County and their campaign trainer?
Deb Klock faces a charge of Election Fraud.
She was acting on behalf of the Democratic Party of Sheboygan and the Rust campaign.
Filicky-Peneski Also Unfit to Serve
Roberta Filicky-Peneski, also running for reelection in the District 2 Common Council race, has been recorded using a racial slur and has not acknowledged this ethical failure. She has minimized her behavior by stating it occurred in her own home without her knowledge of it being recorded.
People reveal their true selves in the comfort of their own homes.
Filicky-Peneski and Rust both voted to fire Todd Wolf without cause. Wolf, the former City Administrator, is at the center of two federal lawsuits against the city.
The Wolf case is proceeding to mediation, which will likely lead to a financial settlement—a settlement that would be paid with your tax dollars.
Rust and Filicky-Peneski have demonstrated that they are unfit to serve on your Common Council.
Elections Matter, as Do Your Tax Dollars
If you are tired of your hard-earned money being wasted by reckless behavior, please research the candidates before voting on Tuesday, April 2.
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!
A criminal investigation into Zach Rust’s campaign for re-election to the Common Council was conducted by the Sheboygan Police Department.
The investigation has been completed and submitted to the Sheboygan District Attorney’s (D.A.) office. The alleged suspect is Deb Klock, a longtime operative of the Sheboygan County Democratic Party.
On February 18, in the late afternoon, a Ring Doorbell neighborhood notification was posted to residents of Sheboygan. A citizen asked why a man had hung something on his door, and then a woman came and removed the flyer.
This incident was quickly reported to Jesse Roethel, a candidate running against Rust for the District 8 seat on the Common Council. Citizens reported that Roethel was placing his campaign materials on doors in District 8. Shortly after Roethel distributed his flyers, a woman was seen removing them, placing them in her clipboard, which displayed Rust campaign materials.
Social media users identified the suspect as Deb Klock, who has long been associated with the Sheboygan County Democratic Party. Klock, who is closely tied to Sheboygan County Democratic Party Co-Chairs Maeve Quinn and Mary Lynne Donohue, is not a low-level volunteer.
Here is a photo from 2017 showing Klock in the front row, flanked by Donohue and Quinn, with the current mayor of Sheboygan, who also has ties to Klock.
Given her extensive commitment to political activism, Klock would presumably know better than to remove campaign materials. Yet, Klock is allegedly the person in the video removing election materials.
Has Sheboygan County Democratic Party been doing this for years?
Was this theft coordinated?
Issues in the Investigation
After Roethel reported the incident to the Sheboygan Police Department, he was informed by two individuals, including a supervisor, that no crime had been committed. Persistent efforts from Roethel led to the launch of an investigation on February 19.
Despite being told the investigation would be submitted to the D.A.’s office for charges, Roethel found out on March 18 that the D.A.’s office was unaware of the investigation. It had been incorrectly submitted and had to be resubmitted formally.
On March 19, Roethel learned that the police had resubmitted the investigation. By March 21, the D.A. was close to proceeding with charges, expected by March 22. However, as of March 29, no charges have been filed.
Despite video evidence and citizen identification of the suspect, the case of alleged election fraud has seen a six-week delay in charges.
Democratic Party of Sheboygan County’s Ethical Concerns
Klock is active in party causes and is connected to co-presidents Quinn and Donohue, as well as Mayor Sorenson.
Is this behavior standard for the party?
In light of such actions for a Common Council election, what might occur during larger elections?
Has Mayor Sorenson received donations from Klock?
Two years ago, under Quinn’s leadership, the Mead Public Library received a more significant funding increase than any other city department, surpassing the police and fire departments.
Did Mayor Sorenson and the Council advocate for this increase, possibly to benefit Quinn and the library?
Donohue is implicated in a federal lawsuit, accused of conspiring to terminate former City Administrator Todd Wolf without cause.
Is anyone concerned by this unethical behavior?
Rust’s Fitness to Serve Has to be Questioned
As Rust’s campaign is scrutinized, his role as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole, which oversees the Ethics Committee, came under fire. Rust ignored complaints about Mayor Sorenson’s ethics and delegated the investigation to Adam Westbrook, now facing federal charges for sex crimes against children. Rust’s inaction and support for Westbrook call into question his ethical judgment.
Rust received emails last summer from Sheboygan residents stating they demanded an ethics investigation into Mayor Sorenson on the basis of harassment based on religion. This was related to Mayor Sorenson posing for a photo with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Rust refused to convene the Committee of the Whole to address the complaints.
This, combined with Mayor Sorenson brazenly removing an agenda item effectively silenced local residents from a chance to publicly speak about their harassment concerns by Mayor Sorenson to the Common Council.
Rust and Mayor Sorenson trampled on your right to free speech and silenced you!
With his campaign under investigation and his failure to uphold ethical standards, Rust is unfit to serve.
Ask them what they will do to address Rust’s campaign being under criminal investigation.
Ask Mayor Sorenson about his ties to Klock.
Demand answers into why Mead Public Library received such a massive increase in funding in the 2023 budget?
Tell them Sheboygan deserves integrity in leadership. Oppose election fraud by making your voice heard before the Tuesday, April 2, election. Be informed about your candidates.
Go Vote!
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!
It has recently been discovered that there are concerning books in the library of North High School in Sheboygan. The book Push by Sapphire is listed as available on SASD library websites to be checked out by students at North High School.
The book is described on Amazon as:
Precious Jones, an illiterate sixteen-year-old, has up until now been invisible to the father who rapes her and the mother who batters her and to the authorities who dismiss her as just one more of Harlem’s casualties. But when Precious, pregnant with a second child by her father, meets a determined and radical teacher, we follow her on a journey of education and enlightenment as she learns not only how to write about her life, but how to make it truly her own for the first time.
Push details explicit accounts of sexual activities that include incest and molestation.
TBS has included an excerpt from Page 27:
Push uses the following words in the entire book:
F*ck- 83 times
P*ssy-13 times
C*nt- 3 times
There are other accounts that are this graphic in a sexual nature. The book is dominated by explicit and vulgar language.
TBS has shared one passage. Overall, the book is alarming and concerning with the quantity of vulgar passages.
Last February, the Sheboygan Press reported on how South High School decided to remove three books that were graphic novels and included extremely graphic drawings of sexual activity.
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!
The City of Sheboygan had a tough week in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. This site has expressed frustration with a lack of ethics, integrity, and professionalism while dealing with the city.
The City Attorney’s office has refused to address elements of open records requests or failed to respond to specific questions, violating open records laws and daring residents to take legal action to compel them to share information they are legally required to disclose.
Their lack of ethics, integrity, and professionalism did not fare well in Magistrate Judge Duffin’s federal courtroom.
In a scathing response to the Pelishek v. Sheboygan case, the federal magistrate accused the City of Sheboygan and their legal team of “frequently misrepresenting legal authority.”
Federal Magistrate Duffin stated:
“For present purposes, the court will presume that these misrepresentations were mere errors of the sort that no attorney or lawyer is above. But counsel should be diligent to ensure that these types of mistakes do not recur.”
A Federal Magistrate calls out the City of Sheboygan for “frequently misrepresenting legal authority.”
Can the City and its legal team do anything more concerning than lying in federal court?
Another Potential Integrity Issue in Second Lawsuit
In a response from former City Administrator Todd Wolf’s attorney in a second case, there are accusations that the City and their legal team ignored directives from the same federal magistrate and agreements from a March 4 meeting between both sides, moderated by the federal magistrate.
Wolf’s attorney cites multiple examples of the City changing the wording and disregarding items that were agreed upon. This is evidence of a morally bankrupt City Attorney’s office that believes it can do whatever it wants, with disregard for the law or others involved.
A scathing reprimand from a federal magistrate for misrepresenting the law.
Allegedly breaking agreements between lawyers and disregarding directives from a federal magistrate.
When is enough going to be enough?
The federal magistrate will rule on the response by Wolf’s attorney.
It looks like the court will order the City to turn over all communications between City Attorney Adams and the lawyers from von Briesen & Roper who conducted the investigation into Todd Wolf.
TBS has many questions about the bill the City paid for what was called an impartial and independent investigation.
Why did von Briesen & Roper bill you, the taxpayer, for:
A meeting with Mayor Sorenson and City Attorney Chuck Adams on February 3, 2023, for a telephone conference on the report
A meeting with City Attorney Chuck Adams on February 8, 2023, for a telephone conference regarding final terms of the report
How was there this level of collaboration on finalizing an independent and impartial investigation?
The City has to turn these communications over because of the actions of the City Attorney’s office and Mayor Sorenson.
The City Attorney’s office shared information on the report into former Administrator Todd Wolf. Mayor Sorenson shared that Wolf may have violated policies.
Wolf’s attorney stated in the latest response that a privilege holder “cannot be allowed, after disclosing as much as he pleases, to withhold the remainder.”
The truth will come out.
The City of Sheboygan has found that its lack of ethics and integrity do not play well in federal courts.
Are they protecting you, the taxpayer, from legal costs?
How does the current City Attorney’s office limit the legal risk of your city?
Does the City Attorney’s office act with Sheboygan’s best interest in mind?
Last week seems to indicate they are not.
The costs will be significant to get out of these legal cases.
You will be the one to pay for this.
Are you ready to do something?
If you have had enough of the dysfunction and lack of legal protection for your tax dollars, send an email to the current City Administrator, Casey Bradley (Casey.Bradley@sheboyganwi.gov) and demand he look into our current City Attorney’s office.
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!
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.
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.
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/.
You are the solution! Be part of a movement to improve your community!
Former Director of Planning and Development Chad Pelishek’s case against the City of Sheboygan will proceed on the Title VII claim of a hostile work environment in a scathing response by U.S. Magistrate Judge William E. Duffin toward both sides’ attorneys.
There will also be a claim moving forward that the following parties failed to provide equal protection for Pelishek from discrimination due to his race:
Mayor Sorenson
Former Alder Amanda Salazar
Director of Senior Services Emily Rendall-Araujo
City Attorney Chuck Adams
City of Sheboygan
The judge dismissed Barbara Felde and Roberta Filicky-Peneski from that claim.
TBS has referenced a culture of fear and intimidation under former Human Resources Director Adam Westbrook and has received questions on evidence to support a culture of fear and intimidation.
Magistrate Judge Duffin raised the bar from a culture of fear and intimidation to a potentially hostile work environment.
Magistrate Judge Duffin points out that being falsely labeled a racist could constitute harassment. The false allegations were so severe that Pelishek couldn’t do his job and had mental health issues due to the stress.
The decision and order state that Mayor Sorenson, as Pelishek’s supervisor, not only allegedly contributed to this false narrative but also allowed it to be repeated and spread through the community and city government.
The Sheboygan Press published articles stating that Pelishek used a racial slur in a meeting. TBS was informed that he repeatedly asked city leaders for a press release or statement to clear his name. This request was always refused.
City Attorney Chuck Adams, however, was quick to release a press statement regarding the article posted by WHBL on former Human Resources Director Adam Westbrook’s resignation. View WHBL link here.
Adams was quick to offer support to Westbrook, who is currently facing charges of child pornography and sexual exploitation of a child.
Why wouldn’t Adams step up to clear Pelishek’s name?
When Pelishek contacted former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook, he was informed that he “had no protected status,” and it was implied that Pelishek should just deal with it.
This is the second documented complaint alleging Westbrook informed the employee that they could not be harassed or discriminated against.
Both employees are moving forward with legal action against the City of Sheboygan. Regardless of the outcome of these cases, litigation will cost money, and you, as the taxpayer, will pay for it.
The city attorney’s office should prevent or minimize how often Sheboygan faces legal issues.
There are currently two federal court cases against the city and two Department of Workforce Development complaints against it, which may end up as lawsuits.
Adam Westbrook cited unwavering personal and professional support from Assistant Attorney Liz Majerus.
Did this unwavering support lead to Westbrook allegedly denying employees protections under the law?
According to Magistrate Judge Duffin, one mistake could have contributed to a hostile work environment — a much higher bar than a culture of fear and intimidation.
Are you tired of the endless stream of lawsuits?
Are you frustrated that you will have to pay for these lawsuits as a taxpayer?
When will it be enough for you to act?
Email City Administrator Casey Bradley today to share your concerns with the city attorney’s office: casey.bradley@sheboyganwi.gov.
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!
The Sheboygan Area School District (SASD) is beginning a campaign to ask taxpayers like you for a $126 million referendum to build two new middle schools.
This site has raised concerns about academic achievement in the SASD high schools. Lack of student achievement is a significant economic issue as we fail to prepare students to enter the workforce.
Our community and surrounding areas are rich with strong businesses that need employees. Companies cannot find people to work, and SASD fails to provide qualified talent to fill jobs despite significant investments by area businesses in the Red Raider Manufacturing program.
Local businesses have invested millions of dollars in Sheboygan’s high schools to equip students to enter the workforce and fill jobs in your local economy.
Companies that invested millions of dollars in the Red Raider Manufacturing programs should question the return on investment they are receiving today.
The current state of Sheboygan South and Central High School is abysmal.
97% of Wisconsin high schools in academic achievement
99.5% of Wisconsin high schools in academic growth
Sheboygan Central High School fails your kids. Your tax dollars go to a high school that fails to meet the expectations set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
There have been no presentations by the current SASD superintendent, Seth Harvatine, or the incoming superintendent, Jake Konrath, last year to address the miserable results of Central High School.
They have avoided the failures of Sheboygan Central High School while they are preparing to ask you for an additional $126 million in taxes!
This site has been referenced by SASD leadership and the SASD school board as disseminating disinformation.
Others in the community have referred to this site as propaganda.
In June, TBS estimated the project’s cost to be $150 million. Today, SASD says it is $140 million. SASD will ask taxpayers for $126 million and fund the balance of the project on their own.
TBS has been accused of misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda.
Why did no other media outlet in Sheboygan talk about this last June?
Take Back Sheboygan wants to hear from you about this referendum.
Is the Mill Road and Najacht Road site ideal for a new middle school?
Has this referendum been well thought out?
Is this referendum reflective of a district with declining enrollment?
Is there a better solution?
Is it time to consider combining our Sheboygan High Schools into one school?
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!
TBS has received word that a former city employee has filed another complaint with the Department of Workforce Development.
A loyal and committed employee of 28 years with zero discipline issues was forced to decide between retirement, resigning, or being terminated by former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook.
What would cause such an extreme response from the City of Sheboygan towards a loyal and committed employee?
This.
This long-term loyal employee attended the presentations of the city administrator finalists. The final presentations that you, as a taxpayer, were notallowed to attend were only open to city employees, as detailed in an email from Westbrook to all city employees.
At this, city employees were asked to fill out a questionnaire that would provide feedback to the common council. The photo details what this former employee submitted.
The following information is alleged in the Department of Workforce Development complaint.
This employee was told they would need to meet with Westbrook, and the meeting occurred. In the meeting, Westbrook asked the employee if that was their form. The answer was yes. Westbrook then told the employee that they were unprofessional and toxic. He informed them that their actions were “basically like you flipping off the council and saying f*ck you.”
After retiring, the employee emailed two members of the Common Council, who stated they were unaware of any of this.
The employee was allegedly given the three options of retirement, resignation, or termination and had to decide in two days.
The employee’s wife was scheduled for a biopsy, and this stress would not help. The choice was retirement, as there was a significant need for health insurance due to the wife’s health issues.
The employee stated that nobody else could do the job and offered to stay on for an extended time to train a replacement. Westbrook said no, and the employee’s last day was one week from the day he submitted a retirement letter.
In an interview with Westbrook, the employee stated that they had been around for 28 years and had seen mayors, department heads, and council members come and “fix” everything, which led to a mess after they moved on to another job. The long-term employees are left to clean up the mess. This employee informed Westbrook that it was exhausting.
Westbrook said if that’s the case, you should have come to talk to me. The employee said no, that would never happen. I would have a target on my back. Some city employees are worried about retirement and are miserable. They come to work, put their heads down, and hope to make it to retirement.
Westbrook allegedly said that’s not true.
The employee said yes, it is.
This is evidence of a culture of fear and intimidation that Westbrook was allowed to force on city employees.
When the former employee asked their supervisor for notes from the meeting with Westbrook, the supervisor responded, “Let me think about that.” According to the complaint, the supervisor then said they would need to ask the City of Sheboygan if they could share that with them and mentioned being an at-will employee.
The notes were not shared.
This is evidence of a culture of fear and intimidation.
When Westbrook was asked for his notes from the meeting by the employee, Westbrook stated there were no notes.
The employee retired after 28 years of loyal service to the city. There were no previous discipline issues. This was the treatment this employee received from your city while their wife was facing a biopsy.
Questions have been sent to TBS about a lack of proof of a “culture of fear and intimidation.”
The city has approved hiring an outside attorney to handle one Department of Workplace Development complaint regarding an employee who reported to Adam Westbrook and was fired over the phone while attending a conference as a city employee.
They were fired over the phone before they could return home or to work.
This complaint alleges that a 28-year employee was forced to retire or be fired by Westbrook over voicing concerns on a questionnaire. The supervisor refused to provide details due to being an at-will employee.
What more evidence do you need to show a culture of fear and intimidation?
Two pending lawsuits.
Two attorneys in the City Attorney’s office.
Westbrook cited unwavering support from Assistant Attorney Liz Majerus, both personally and professionally, in his resignation.
The report that led to the firing of former City Administrator Todd Wolf stated that he “constituted insubordinate and inappropriate comment against citizens, and created possible legal risk for the City, all in violation of numerous City policies.”
The city attorney’s office claimed Todd Wolf created possible legal risk for the City of Sheboygan.
The current city attorney, Chuck Adams, and the assistant city attorney, Liz Majerus, are tasked with limiting the city’s legal risks.
Is the current City Attorney’s office a legal risk for the city of Sheboygan?
The lawsuits keep coming in.
These are real.
The city attorneys should be limiting the legal risk.
Are they?
This is a question for current city administrator Casey Bradley to examine. Email him to voice your concerns or questions.
Is the current city attorney’s office protecting your interest as a taxpayer?
Is there a better, more efficient use of your tax dollars for legal needs?
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!
TBS has been made aware of two cases where citizens brought forward concerns regarding former Human Resources Director Adam Westbrook. We previously discussed Westbrook’s resignation letter, where he cited “unwavering support” both personally and professionally from Assistant City Attorney Liz Majerus.
Two citizen complaints were shared requesting Westbrook investigate the photo of Mayor Sorenson at the Pride Event with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
On July 26, at 11:26 a.m., Westbrook responded to a citizen who voiced concern over the photo. Westbrook informed that citizen he was currently investigating the incident due to another citizen’s complaint regarding violations of ethics and harassment based on religion.
Roughly twenty minutes later, Westbrook emailed the second citizen stating he would not conduct an ethics investigation of Mayor Sorenson for the photo at the Pride Event.
This concern was brought forward to Westbrook in an email from one citizen asking why he lied by telling the first citizen there was currently an ethics investigation being conducted and then telling the second citizen he would not conduct an ethics investigation.
Westbrook was so bold that when the citizen stated they were going to ask Attorney Adams to open an investigation around lying, Westbrook told the citizen he would help by sharing his documentation of all events leading up to the complaint with the citizen.
In Westbrook’s own documentation, he stated that he told the first citizen there was currently a harassment investigation open regarding Mayor Sorenson. Roughly 20 minutes later, Westbrook documented that he informed the second citizen he would not conduct a harassment investigation.
Westbrook shared his own documentation of his lie.
This was brought forward to City Attorney Chuck Adams, and no investigation was opened into former H.R. Director Adam Westbrook.
There was also an open records request from a different citizen regarding an investigation into Westbrook for an inappropriate comment that may have embarrassed another employee.
The City Attorney responded that there were no records of any investigation regarding Adam Westbrook and a sexual harassment investigation.
Adams went on to accuse the resident of making a false accusation of harassment. There was only a request for records. No accusation.
When Westbrook resigned, WHBL posted an article on the resignation that included a mention of the records request. Adams was quick to respond to WHBL, releasing a press release. In the press release, Adams states that early in Westbrook’s tenure, a city employee contacted Adams with concerns over a comment Westbrook made to another employee. Adams noted that he talked to a few people and quickly determined that everything was “appropriate and above board.”
Adams also states that “city officials are demanding WHBL retract their misleading article and apologize for its actions smearing the name of a valued employee.”
Two concerns were brought forward, and Adams did not investigate Adam Westbrook.
Why did Adams refuse to investigate Westbrook?
Maybe because Adams and Westbrook knew each other before Westbrook came to Sheboygan.
Maybe because Westbrook reached out to Adams when he first applied for the role in Sheboygan, and Adams told Westbrook that he would “do what he can” to help Westbrook get the position and that it “would be great to have you on our team.”
The City Attorney is an elected position.
Elected officials are elected because they are held accountable by their constituents.
The role of an attorney involves the law. The law is not accountable to anyone. The law is the law.
Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason.
The Sheboygan City Attorney’s office is peeking from behind the blindfold, not seeking justice but protecting political interests.
They provided unwavering support, personally and professionally, to someone who created a culture of fear and intimidation.
A culture that currently has the city facing multiple lawsuits.
That person is now facing allegations of child sex crimes.
How many other cities have elected attorneys?
Is there a better way to provide this service to your city?
Why is your attorney’s office not avoiding lawsuits filed against your city?
The time is now to call on Casey Bradley as the City Administrator and ask for an investigation and a better solution to Sheboygan’s legal needs.
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!
Monday, February 19, the Common Council approved a resolution to pay an attorney to respond to a Department of Workforce Development complaint against the City of Sheboygan.
This is the first step to sue the city from a former employee fired by former HR Director Adam Westbrook.
The former employee worked in the Human Resources office and applied for the director position but was turned down in favor of Westbrook. This person had more human resources experience and training than Adam Westbrook but was told by Mayor Sorenson they would not get the position as the city hired Westbrook instead.
Why did Mayor Sorenson choose to hire Westbrook over a more qualified person?
The complaint states that Mayor Sorenson stated Westbrook had experience in transit labor negotiations that they did not and would bring more value to the role. It details that upon starting in the role, Westbrook stated that he had no experience in transit labor negotiations. It also details that in Westbrook’s interview, he said that he had experience in human resources software in a previous role, and upon starting in Sheboygan, when there was an issue with this software, Westbrook stated he had no idea how to work with it on this issue.
The complaint details a culture of discrimination and retaliation by Westbrook and another employee from a different department. It describes a scenario where a department head asked for additional time off for an employee whose grandparent passed away. Westbrook instructed the complainant to grant the extra time. When it was questioned by the payroll department, the former employee asked for support, and Westbrook did not support the employee. This created a more complex and challenging situation for an employee dealing with the grief of losing a grandparent.
The former employee was terminated while away from Sheboygan attending a conference for professional development. The employee was not allowed to return to Sheboygan or work before being fired. This employee was fired over the phone because Westbrook was out of work for ten days because of the placement of his adopted children.
The culture of fear and intimidation detailed on this site could produce another lawsuit for Sheboygan that you, the taxpayer, will pay for by hiring lawyers to defend your city.
This site has been claimed to be propaganda. This site has been criticized. This site has been accurate, and the legal fees to defend against this claim are not fake.
The City of Sheboygan has an attorney in Chuck Adams and an assistant attorney in Liz Majerus. They are paid with your tax dollars and employed to handle legal matters in Sheboygan. They are both there to protect Sheboygan’s legal interests.
They were both present for the volatile nine-month tenure of Adam Westbrook. A source within city hall stated that he was close to Assistant Attorney Liz Majerus towards the end of Westbrook’s time in Sheboygan. Westbrook went out of his way to mention Majerus in his resignation. Westbrook mentioned Majerus by name, stating her unwavering support for the human resources function and for him personally.
The actions of Westbrook as HR director are referenced in the federal court case by former Director of Planning and Development Chad Pelishek, where Westbrook allegedly stated he could not be discriminated against because he was not in a protected class.
The current claim alleges that Westbrook told the former employee another woman could not harass her because she was a woman. Both individuals filed complaints for concerns that Westbrook told them they could not be victims.
Westbrook stated that he received unwavering support from Assistant Attorney Liz Majerus.
That unwavering support enabled the culture of fear and intimidation under Westbrook’s leadership that employees have shared with this site.
There are mentions of additional complaints coming from more employees terminated by Westbrook. The city continues to deal with legal ramifications from the volatile nine months that Adam Westbrook led the human resources department.
If the city’s attorney’s office will grant unwavering support to behavior that results in lawsuits against the city, why do we have an attorney’s office?
Chuck Adams and Liz Majerus have put aside protecting Sheboygan’s legal interests.
As Westbrook put it, their unwavering support has been directed toward Mayor Sorenson’s agenda and has been misguided from the start.
The weaponizing of this agenda by Westbrook in the ruthless treatment of employees and terminations has produced legal costs to you as the taxpayer.
New City Administrator Casey Bradley has moved to outsource legal services to assist with development matters. Do you think Bradley should eliminate the City Attorney’s office?
Email your concerns over your current City Attorney’s office to Administrator Bradley here:
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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