Editor,

A new ordinance, which creates a code of ethics, which will regulate the conduct of council members along with an ethics board made up of five community members.

Really? I am going to admit to being a pessimist.

Another set of standards to live by which seem to already be covered within “An Overview of the City of Rhinelander” under “Personal Policies and Employee Manual” and basic “City Ordinances.”

Members of the council, along with mayor and administrator, already belong to numerous organizations such as scouting, Masons, Knights, their churches, even work places, to name a few, which have principles they expect the members to live by, not just display periodically to impress.

Just who will be chosen, who can be trusted to serve on this board and make these judgment calls? Perhaps city clergy?
We already have had problems with standards of behavior when a letter is written but the composer will not step up, even when it costs another a job!

When a closed meeting is illegally recorded and same turned over to out of town media and again, the person responsible won’t step up and admit to it.

Have suggested that ALL recording devices be left at the door by persons attending council meetings (open or closed), it would have prevented a drama that took place during a meeting. One has to wonder WHY, when viewed on Facebook, a camera was focused directly on one council member in November prior to a member of the audience “suddenly” confronting them, and that camera never wavering, flinching in response to the “surprise” appearance and shouting.

Perhaps the person filming wasn’t surprised?

Plus, when you have such a secret not smart to share (sic). Secrets shared never stay secret.

But most upsetting is the fact that the city hall staff are still putting up with the “no confidence” issues they presented almost a year ago, which were just dismissed at that time. Does anyone who knows, who deals with them, truly think they were not truthful when they signed and submitted that letter? Are they NOT to be believed?

No confidence needs to be investigated, or working circumstances need to improve and now. To quote what someone once wrote to a city employee, “behavior and demeanor in the workplace must be pleasant, cooperative and conductive to a happy, safe and productive job site.”

What happens at city hall and council meetings reflect on the community as a whole. Being a council member or in a position of authority in the city is to be taken very seriously. Not to be considered as a popularity contest.
Any impropriety tarnishes the name Rhinelander.

Is it not understood that the actions occurring at public meetings or in work spaces are noted by our youth? Adults are supposed to set a good example.

Check out the Facebook pages of council members present and those running for election. Might be surprised with some, unless of course they start deleting.

I was.

Kate White, Rhinelander