Column: The decision not to decide is still a decision
Editor’s note: For clarity, District Attorney Louis Molepske did, in fact, determine that in his opinion, the state’s open meeting law had been violated, but considering some of the nuances of the wording in the statute, Molepske forwarded the issue to Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul’s office.
By Mike Somers
One of the paramount skills an effective leader must retain is the ability and courage to make decisions, especially the hard ones.
Likewise, citizens of our community and this great country alike are tasked with that same obligation, making decisions. And without even realizing it, we are all making decisions every day.
While looking in the rearview mirror, we can realize that recent decisions made, or not made, in our own local community have had a profound impact on all of us. Here are some examples:
The Stevens Point Common Council decided not to listen to citizens’ and business owners’ concerns on the Business 51 road diet project. In turn, taxpayers have decided to present a signed petition to the City Council calling for a referendum on a resolution curtailing the city’s power to build large projects going forward. Decisions have consequences.
The City of Stevens Point Mayor will decide whether it is in the best interests of citizens to delay the Business 51 road diet project until a referendum speaks for the voice of local voters. Citizens will decide by vote to reign in a nonresponsive Common Council.
The Stevens Point School District Board decided to close seven of its 12 monthly meetings to the public in the past year clearly violating Wisconsin’s open meeting laws. The Portage County District Attorney decided not to enforce that law. Some decisions are not the right ones.
Many local elected officeholders decided they would not attend meetings in person this past year. Consequently, numerous local citizens stepped up to the plate and decided to challenge many of these elected officials for their seats in the April 5, 2022, local election. Decisions can lead to change.
Every eligible voter in Portage County has the opportunity to decide to change leadership in the County Executive position. Stevens Point School District voters also have a responsibility in deciding whether they are happy with the present Board or if they desire a positive change with courageous and ambitious citizens/parents who have a desire to serve the taxpayers and parents of the community.
As the number of active COVID-19 cases begins to fall, the school district superintendent will decide if he will continue to require masks in the district or let students get back to living life as normal children. The Stevens Board decided to abandon its responsibility to decide on major health protocols. Parents will decide if they will continue to make their children endure ineffective e-learning, forced health restrictions, and continued mental health anguish.
Decisions are always important. We make decisions continuously. If we can look into our crystal balls, we will see that on the near horizon, very important decisions need to be made for our community.
Unfortunately, when decisions become difficult, many often make the mistake of simply ignoring the decision hoping it will just go away. It doesn’t. When ignored, other issues often arise, things go south, and the situation gets worse.
Nearly as bad is when we choose people to operate our local government, manage our schools, or enforce our laws and they either fail to decide or pass the decision up the ladder for others to make. Yet, we elect these people to be our local leaders to make the tough decisions. Do they?
What many locally elected officials forget is that real leaders make decisions, even the tough ones. Have our local elected officials in our county, city, or schools earned the title of “leader?” You decide.
Let your votes on February 15, 2022, speak for your decision. And remember…the decision not to decide is still a decision.
May God bless our great community.
Mike Somers is semi-retired and lives with his wife in Custer.
We are seeking a liberal columnist. Anyone with interest should email [email protected].