Column: Accolades earned this yuletide season

By Dan Kontos

As an amateur observer of local government, I am often drawn to comment on their policies, decisions, and most importantly, their actions. Because it’s human nature to be drawn to mistakes, either genuine or perceived, I tend to point out how local officials can do better in their positions.

Today, in the spirit of the season, I’d like to congratulate the Portage County Board for what has certainly been a difficult yet productive year. 

There is always a ton of activity that occurs at the county level, and the vast majority of functions are accomplished quietly, professionally, and with a fair amount of transparency – if you care to look. However, the big policy issues are what get our attention.

Let’s start out with the three big wins for the citizens of Portage County.

Starting with number three: courthouse security. If you know, this has been an issue for decades. Feel free to read all about it, but the County Board took the next step to actually improve the safety situation in the County/City Building. While a full courthouse remodel is still a bit out in the future, $5 million in security upgrades have been approved for 2026.

While they completely missed the boat on a jail and courthouse combined project, over and over again, this decision was the right call for now. It wasn’t easy, I know. Dealing with the City’s often competing interests in a building they own 27% of, and enjoy a 20th-century attitude towards more modern 21st-century security concerns, can be difficult at times, to say the least.

I think that this is a pretty big deal that flew virtually under the radar. It’s even more impressive when you see that the Board unanimously approved this plan. I congratulate the supervisors for finally making a move to shore up this shamble.

Coming in at number two is the emotional subject of the Health Care Center. The supervisors voted to approve the sale of this aging facility and actually reduce the size of government. On paper, it’s a no-brainer. This optional function was a money loser and a strain on taxpayers, who often funded out-of-county residents. 

However, this was an emotional battle. A classic struggle for many between the heart and the head. I get it, and don’t condemn anyone for their genuine passion in wanting to keep government ownership, but that was not a wise decision, and the County Board acted in the overall citizens’ best interest.

Government can’t be all things to all people, and there will be enough opportunities to fund actual core missions coming up. After a long and diligent effort, the Board, along with County Executive John Pavelski, got this across the finish line despite the tremendous headwinds created by a small but very vocal opposition.

This wasn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination, but they got it accomplished. Thank you, and well done.

Finally, at number one, the Law Enforcement Center. I’ve always held to the presupposition that an 80% solution now beats a 100% solution that will never come. In other words, don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Trust me when I tell you that a new jail is needed in this county, and frankly, it was needed since the day it was built. The wrangling over, not the need, but the location, was a fight that should never have happened. With the obvious value of having a collocated courthouse and jail, that elegance was lost over squabbling over how much business the Sheriff’s Office generates for downtown businesses.

The move to put the new facility in the Village of Plover was an unconventional, but successful gambit. The 80% solution, if you will.

After so much wasted time, effort, and money, the County Board finally decided that enough was enough and approved the construction of the new Sheriff’s Office and jail. Yeah, I know, but they actually did it. Now imagine that. 

County board supervisors, many of whom were once considered the stumbling block to progress, came together to find a solution. I personally know of at least two supervisors who ran for reelection just to get this project over the finish line. Other new members came in with an open mind. Still others, frankly, were worn down by the relentless onslaught of facts and common sense. Any way you slice it, it’s moving forward.

Now, if we can just move the county seat back to Plover, we can build a new courthouse adjacent to the jail. I jest, I jest! Or do I?

Anyway, a huge hat tip to the men and women of the Board for shepherding this along. I frankly never thought I would see it any time soon.

All-in-all, A good year for Portage County. With seven supervisors not running for reelection, and a county executive race too, government at the county level certainly won’t look the same.

Splendid work, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you. Now what will I have to write about? I’ll think of something.

So, with that, let’s meet in the opinion section to talk about all of it, boldly, honestly, with an appreciation for all our public servants, and with a healthy respect for each other. Until then, remember that God loves you, and so do I. See, miracles can indeed happen.

Merry Christmas, and a happy New Year!