Curmudgeon's Corner

Village Buzz - June 29th

Posted by Al Campbell on June 29, 2008

Germantown, Quality of Life, Village Board, Village Buzz

Former Village President, Charlie Hargan, responded in a comment to the Village Buzz published on Friday with this:

"The trees on Mequon Road in front of Pick 'n Save were diseased and will be replaced in the same locations. The trees in front of Sendik's were healthy ash trees that, as you indicated, had the misfortune to be in front of Sendik's over-sized sign. Sendik's asked Pres. Kempinski to have them removed, who told Adm. Schornack to have them removed, who told the Village Parks & Grounds Sup. to remove them. These were planted in accordance with the Village Street Tree Program, part of the reason we were voted as a Tree City USA community, and the only authorization for this had to come from the Village Board, after a recommendation from the Public Works Committee. It was never brought in front of either of them. They should be replaced in the same location. I think Sendik's will be a great asset to the Village but the trees were also and they were "grandfathered in" (here first)."

I am assuming that Mr. Hargan has his facts correct; if others wish to comment, please take the opportunity.

It seems that, more and more often, the President is making himself a committee of one and determining resolution of issues, and then implementing those resolutions by direct order to village administration and staff.  In my opinion, those kinds of actions can be seen as undercutting the staff and committee members, certainly can adversely impact morale, would appear to be contrary to established protocol and limiting of the proper public discussion that should precede such actions being taken.  There is no public meeting involved if that should've been taken prior to this action.  There is no audit trail available to the public to enable a review process.

If there were diseased trees, it is possible that there could be a reason to circumvent protocol, but the trees that affected the Sendik's signage certainly were a worthy subject of debate before precipitous action (such as destroying them) was taken.

I cannot help but feel that this is unhealthy in any government, even that of a village.  What decision-making will be next in line to be short-circuited if that is what has happened?