Neillsville City Council Holds Organizational Meeting, Heritage Days Committee Appointments Cause Friction
Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 -- 10:42 AM
-The Neillsville City Council held their organizational meeting on Tuesday.The City Clerk swore in Diane Murphy, David Harnisch and Joe Neville for their respective terms in their respective offices. The council welcomed them as newly elected and re-elected members. Mayor Murphy announced the purpose of the meeting is to reorganize the council and make appointments of the various officials, boards, committees and commissions. Mayor Murphy presented her nominees for council consideration. Mayor Murphy nominated Council Member Dan Clough for President of the council. Council Member Julie Counsell nominated Council Member Joe Neville, but the nomination died for lack of a second. Mayor Murphy called the vote for Council Member Clough as President of the Council and it was approved. From there, the council began to make the various appointments to different positions and committees. For the most part, there was little argument over them. However, there was one exception. When Mayor Murphy got to the Heritage Days Committee, she presented a history of Heritage Days from its start at Tuft’s Mansion, to the Fire Hall, to the downtown showcasing our Historic Downtown and Nelson Muffler donating the big tent, to its move to Schuster Park. She stated it can be held in both locations and people have been telling her that their ideas are not being listened to by the Committee. Mayor Murphy recommended downsizing the Committee from 11 members to 7 members.
Alderman Neville motioned to deny the recommendation to downsize and keep both the current 11 member size and current Committee members. Neville stated that there is no reason to take people off, anyone is welcome to attend a meeting and bring ideas. He stated that, yes, it can be better, but these people have been on the Committee and are willing to serve. why should they be taken off? His motion received a second. Mayor Murphy stated that she is sticking with her nominations of three current committee members and three non-committee members. Her feedback is that people come to the meeting, but are not being heard and she stated she will not be having meetings on a Sunday. Council Member Neville stated that the meeting days have been mixed up, with meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, also. Council Member Joe Weiers suggested expanding the Committee to add three new members as a compromise. But, Mayor Murphy disagreed with further enlarging the Committee size and stated that there is not enough activities for the older and younger people and the Fire Chief would like the water fight moved.
Council Member Counsell stated the Mayor nominates, but the Council votes. Council Member Neville stated that for a compromise, if the Committee would be left at 11 members, adding the names Mortenson, Erickson, Poeschel and himself to Mayor Murphy’s nominations. After some discussion, Council Member Neville and Clough agreed to withdraw their motion. Mayor Murphy present a compromise nomination. In the end, the council approved that Mayor Murphy, Council Member Neville, Dale Erickson, Michelle Friemoth, Michelle Grap, Vic Lindenman, Maggie McDonald, Barbara Miller, Amanda Mortenson, Gerald Pfeiffer and Justin Poeschel be appointed as members of the Heritage Days Committee (2021) with Mayor Murphy as chair.
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