Letter: Checks and balances of power are unchecked in Stevens Point
To the Editor-
The Constitution of the United States Article 1 Section 1. states, “All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.”
This quote addresses the formation of the Senate and House of Representatives or legislative branch of the federal government and permits one seat per elected person.
To my knowledge, no one is both a Senator and a Representative simultaneously. This quote is meant to inspire our local government to re-instate the separation of powers into the legislative branch for the decentralization of power, prevention of arbitrary use of powers, harmonious working relationships, protection of liberty, and enhancement of effective government.
Aristotle (384 B. C.-322 B. C.) gave the West the idea for three branches of government; the Magna Charta declared a written separation of power between King John and the Barons. The federalist principles of the Iroquois Confederacy of Native America inspired the writers of our Constitution, and Lord Acton (1834-1902) gave us quotes as, “Socialism means slavery,” “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” and “ Authority that does not exist for Liberty is not authority but force.”
The national precedent of separation of power/checks and balances was founded in Colonial times where individual states adopted it as a template and then it moved across the nation. Wisconsin joined the Representative Republic as a state in 1848, Portage County formed 1844, and Stevens Point became a city in 1858.
Stevens Point embraced the keystone concept 163 years ago which effectively established respect and smooth workings in the government.
Then, 10 years ago Tony Patton, Mike Wiza, and Meleesa Johnson changed the balance of power in our county/city legislative government. They knowingly and willingly held legislative positions on both the county board and city common council simultaneously.
The holding of more than one legislative office at the same time is dangerous and breaks our national, state, county, and city precedent. There can be ‘conflict of interest’ concerns but more importantly, it has a damaging effect, opens the door for fraud, corruption, and then leads to the abuse of power.
Sadly, not one supervisor or alderperson has tried to end this breach, therefore, our separation of power/checks and balances of power remain broken in Portage County, Wisconsin.
President Kim Jong-un, the North Korean Supreme Leader since 2011, has a sister Kim Yo-jong who could become a resident of Portage County, Wisconsin, run for alderperson unopposed, simultaneously hold the position of county supervisor, and eventually become mayor.
The election process for the county board and common council serves as a highway for those with less than innocent intent and that is why we need leaders to specifically and permanently state separation of power in the form of written law. This along with ridding us of running for office unopposed will protect us from the infiltration of tyranny. Where is the common council?
Some Paths Back to Restoring the Checks and Balances of Power:
*Create an ordinance electing supervisors and alder persons to one legislative position per term on either the county board or common council of Stevens Point, Portage County, Wisconsin.
*Immediately accept the resignation of any officer currently serving both on the county board and common council. Appoint officers to finish the terms.
*Immediately accept the resignations of any married couple currently serving on the county board and common council which are both legislative branches. Appoint officers to finish their terms.
*Require each common council district to present two candidates for alderperson on election day or forfeit representation for the two-year term. No one runs for office unopposed as in socialist countries.
*Require a deadline for all incumbent alderperson resignations by September 1st before spring elections.
New officer appointments can be chosen from the city of Stevens Point’s population of 26,000, past officers, and the new candidates who are willing to accept relief appointments. Portage County, Wisconsin governments are based on controlled power.
Jean C. Edens
Stevens Point
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