Cady Town Caucus - Call for Candidates

It's January of an odd-numbered year, so that means it's time for our Cady Town Caucus where we have the opportunity to nominate candidates for the Cady Town Board. The Town Caucus is going to be held on January 14, at 7:00PM at the Cady Town Hall. The current Town Board members have stated that they intend to run for re-election this year, as expected. 

One big difference this year is that we, the residents of Cady, have told the Town Board that we do not want them to continue with implementing a zoning ordinance in Cady. However, most of the current board members are not completely satisfied with the results of the November referendum. While Chairman Mike Tully has said that as far as he is concerned, zoning is a dead issue, Supervisors Jim Mikla and Bob Klanderman believe that more followup and discussion is needed before they would be willing to submit to the clearly stated wishes of the Cady townspeople. They said as much in the December board meeting.

CADY NEEDS YOU!

Cady needs Town Board members that are willing to govern in accordance with the will of the people. We need board members who will work to preserve our rights and our livelihoods, not take control of them. We need board members who respect the clearly stated wishes of the townspeople and will strive to foster better communication between the residents and town government. We need board members who will support our efforts to conduct business in our homes and on our properties. 

While the current Town Board has done a fine job of managing our roads and emergency services, they have repeatedly failed us in many of the areas listed above. We believe that it is time for a change. 

If you believe in the values of life, liberty and property, you are willing to consider serving Cady as a member of our Town Board, and would like the support of the Cady Liberty Caucus, please contact us as soon as possible. We would like to talk to you before the Town Caucus on January 14th. We would like to do what we can to ensure that good men and women are nominated for service in the Cady Town government, for the future of Cady.

Cady needs you...

Phone: 262-345-CADY (262-345-2239)

Email: CadyLibertyCaucus@gmail.com

Thank you,

Cady Liberty Caucus

Zoning Referendum Results - Liberty Prevails!

I trust that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are now looking forward to Christmas. I expect that most of you are probably already aware of the results of the advisory referendum on zoning, but perhaps some of you are not, so I thought I would send out an update to you all.

The people of Cady have officially requested that the Cady Town Board NOT continue to develop a zoning ordinance.

Will they respect our wishes and abide by the results of the referendum? We'll have to see. The two supervisors had originally said that they would not commit to abide by the results, but Chairman Tully has said that he would.

Remember, they are up for re-election in April, 2019.

Thank you to all of you who turned out to vote on November 6 to formally voice your opinion. Now we must ensure that the Town Board intends to abide by our wishes, or they must be replaced.

Property Taxes vs. Permitting Fees - What's the Difference?

There is a statement in the Cady Zoning Referendum that says "Zoning has no impact on property taxes."

This statement was intentionally inserted into the referendum statement to try and alleviate concerns about the personal cost of zoning to Cady residents.

I already pointed out that per Wisconsin state law, 70.32(1g), the assessor shall consider the effect on the value of the property of any zoning ordinance.

Additionally, according to the Wisconsin Towns Association website:

Town zoning with village powers can be manpower and cost intensive. Both a plan commission and a zoning board of appeals will need to be staffed. The town will bear all costs of ordinance creation and amendment, administration and enforcement. Enforcement in particular includes ordinance prosecutions by the town attorney as well as the initiation of and defense against lawsuits related to the town’s zoning.

Question: How is the Town of Cady going to support these expenses if they do not raise property taxes?

Answer: They'll have to do it through permitting fees and penalties, which is just another name for taxes.

Just say "NO" to Zoning in Cady on November 6.

Our property rights are just too precious to surrender.

Non-binding Advisory Referendum on Zoning

The Cady Town Board has submitted their proposed wording for the non-binding advisory referendum on zoning in Cady. The referendum is scheduled to be on the ballot in Cady for the general election on November 6, 2018.

The referendum is expected to read as follows:

This is a nonbinding question to give the Town Board direction concerning zoning. Zoning has no impact on property taxes. Should the Town of Cady continue to develop a Zoning Ordinance?

Yes

No

This referendum is an advisory referendum. The governing body of the Town of Cady is not legally bound by the results of this advisory referendum.

A "yes" vote would advise the Cady Town Board that you want them to create a Zoning Ordinance.

A "no" vote would advise the Cady Town Board that you would like Cady to continue as it is, without a Zoning Ordinance.

However, regarding the statement on property taxes, Wisconsin 70.32(1g) states that the assessor shall consider the effect on the value of the property of any zoning ordinance under s. 59.692, 61.351, 61.353, 62.231, or 62.233. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/70.32(1g)

Also, according to a Wisconsin court decision in State ex rel. Hensel v. Town of Wilson, while a sale establishes value, the assessment still has to be equal to that on comparable property. Sub. (2) (b) requires the assessor to fix a value before classifying the land; it does not prohibit him from considering the zoning of the property when it is used for some other purpose.

Chairman Mike Tully has publicly stated that he will abide by the results of the referendum. However, supervisors Bob Klanderman and Jim Mikla stated that they may not. They said that they would wait to see the results before deciding. Since they have consistently supported the Title 13 zoning ordinance, it my expectation that they would only intend to abide by the results of the referendum if the people of Cady vote "YES" for zoning. If the people of Cady vote to retain their existing property rights and say "NO" to zoning, the town supervisors may not be willing to abide by the results. Remember, ultimately zoning in Cady will be up to these three individuals, and if two out of three board members decide to implement zoning against our wishes, the use of our private properties will wind up under their control.

It has been my goal all along to have the residents of Cady make our own informed decision as to whether or not to surrender our property rights and submit ourselves to a zoning ordinance. This planned referendum is a rare and incredible opportunity for the people of Cady to clearly make our position known to our town government. Let's not let this opportunity pass us by. Spread the word to all of your friends and neighbors in Cady.

JUST SAY "NO" TO ZONING IN CADY!

Thank you for your continued interest and support. Together, we can keep Cady free.

***** CADY ZONING UPDATE *****

It is my pleasure to bring you some very good news today. Last night, the Town Board decided to move ahead with a town referendum on zoning in Cady. Although the exact wording of the referendum has not yet been determined, it will ask something like "Should the Town of Cady continue to develop a zoning ordinance?" The choices will be "YES" or "NO" and should be on the ballot for the November 2018 election.

Chairman Mike Tully has publicly stated that he will abide by the results of the referendum. However, supervisors Bob Klanderman and Jim Mikla stated that they may not. They said that they would wait to see the results before deciding. Since they have consistently supported the Title 13 zoning ordinance, it my expectation that they would only intend to abide by the results of the referendum if the people of Cady vote "YES" for zoning. If the people of Cady vote to retain their existing property rights and say "NO" to zoning, the town supervisors may not be willing to abide by the results. Remember, ultimately zoning in Cady will be up to these three individuals, and if two out of three board members decide to implement zoning against our wishes, the use of our private properties will wind up under their control.

It has been my goal all along to have the residents of Cady make our own informed decision as to whether or not to surrender our property rights and submit ourselves to a zoning ordinance. This planned referendum is a rare and incredible opportunity for the people of Cady to clearly make our position known to our town government. Let's not let this opportunity pass us by. Spread the word to all of your friends and neighbors in Cady.

Thank you for your continued interest and support. Together, we can keep Cady free.

St. Croix County Referendum - Change the 1st Amendment? NO WAY!

Regarding the St. Croix County Referendum on the April 03 ballot, it is the position of the Cady Liberty Caucus that if anyone wishes to effectively get the money out of politics, what must first be done is to significantly reduce the power of government to affect businesses. Take that power out of government and there will no longer be any influence for businesses to purchase, and less opportunity for corruption.

Therefore, a constitutional amendment is really not needed. What is needed is for the federal government to operate within the enumerated powers already established by the constitution.



The referendum is as follows:

“Shall the County of St Croix adopt the following resolution? RESOLVED, that “We the People” of the County of St Croix, Wisconsin, seek to reclaim democracy from the expansion of corporate personhood rights and the corrupting influence of unregulated political contributions and spending. We stand with communities across the country to support passage of an amendment to the United States Constitution stating: 1. Only human beings are endowed with constitutional rights ─ not corporations, unions, nonprofits or other artificial entities, and 2. Money is not speech, and therefore regulating political contributions and spending is not equivalent to limiting speech.”

There is an excellent editorial in the Hudson Star Observer on this referendum "Viewpoint: We don't need a First Amendment change".

The wording of the referendum itself shows the author's ignorance of our system of government. It says "RESOLVED, that “We the People” of the County of St Croix, Wisconsin, seek to reclaim democracy from the expansion of corporate personhood rights and the corrupting influence of unregulated political contributions and spending." Someone should have stayed awake in civics class. Then, they would know that Section 4 of the US Constitution states "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government..." A "democracy", which is a tyranny of the majority over the minority, was soundly rejected by the founding fathers in favor of a representative republic.

The Cady Liberty Caucus is recommending a "NO" vote on this St. Croix County Referendum.

Bill Reusch for St. Croix Board of Supervisors - Dist. 19

The Spring Election is on April 3, and there are several important elections and referendums on the ballot that could impact life, liberty, and property in the Town of Cady.

First of all, there is the Sr. Croix County Board of Supervisors. The Cady Liberty Caucus is endorsing Bill Reusch for this seat against the incumbent, William Peavey.

William Peavey's voting record is available here: William Peavey Votes

• Has a history of approving budget increases
• Voted for the purchase of land in Baldwin for new county maintenance facility
• Supports spending 10s of millions of dollars on bicycle/pedestrian trail
• Supports the county wide mass transit planning/study

I don't know where William Peavey stands on the discussion of making St. Croix county a sanctuary county or on the "living wage" idea, but it is clear that he is more interested in spending other people's money than he is in preserving liberty and personal property.

The Cady Liberty Caucus encourages you to go and vote for Bill Reusch on April 3, 2018.

Wisconsin Supreme Court - 2018 Primary Election February, 20, 2018

There is another election coming up next week. This time it is a primary election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Sitting Justice Michael Gableman did not file to seek re-election. Three candidates have filed to run for the seat being vacated by Justice Gableman. All three candidates will be on the ballot on Tuesday's primary, and the two candidates who receive the most votes will advance to the general election which will be held on April 3, 2018.

Rebecca Dallet

· Dallet was first elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2008 and won re-election in 2014. As of the 2018 election, she still holds the seat. Dallet's previous experience includes 11 years as a prosecutor in the offices of the Milwaukee County District Attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin as well as three years spent teaching law at Marquette University.

· In her June 2017 announcement speech, Dallet pointed to her past experience: "I have the right experience to return independence and balance to what has become an increasingly partisan Supreme Court." Dallet's campaign website argues that she has "spent my career, first as a prosecutor, and now as a judge, working to make our community safer" and identifies the economy, crime, healthcare, and criminal justice law as areas of dissatisfaction, arguing that Dallet is "prepared to fight and represent our values on day one."

· Dallet has received endorsements from former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Louis Butler, former Gov. Tony Earl (D), Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Stark, and Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm (D).

· Watch interview with Rebecca Dallet on Wisconsin Eye

· Stated that a police search of a black man was acceptable because Diggins was leaning against the wall for five minutes “with no real obvious purpose for being there.” She sentenced him to two years in prison and two years of extended supervision.

The District 1 Court of Appeals unanimously threw out the ruling in 2013, finding prosecutors’ claims that there was reasonable suspicion of drug dealing “beyond thin.”

“More than mere presence (i.e. hanging out) in a public place is required for reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot,” Judge Joan Kessler wrote for the court.

Michael Screnock

· Screnock was first appointed to the Sauk County Circuit Court by Gov. Scott Walker (R) in 2015 and was elected to a full term in 2016. Screnock's previous experience includes time spent in private practice and, prior to earning his law degree, in municipal management.

· In his June 2017 announcement speech, Screnock referred to his stance on the role of the judiciary: "I share ... the belief that it is the role of a judge to say what the law is and not what it should be...Judges must respect the different roles of the court and Legislature and should not legislate from the bench." Screnock's campaign website argues that his "experience as a judge adds to the experience I gained as a local government official and an attorney, and uniquely prepares me for service on our state’s highest court." Screnock describes his judicial philosophy as a belief that "the role of a judge or justice is to interpret and apply the law, not rewrite the law" and that it is "important that the judicial branch serve as the stable branch of our government."

· Screnock has received endorsements from Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Daniel Kelly, Michael Gableman, and Rebecca Bradley, as well as former Justices David Prosser and Jon Wilcox

· Watch interview with Michael Screnock on Wisconsin Eye

· Michael Screnock was arrested and ticketed for trespassing and obstructing officers twice in 1989 when he participated in large protests at a Madison abortion clinic. He reached plea deals that dropped the obstructing citations and required him to perform community service for the trespassing charges, according to Screnock and public records.

“In the context of my life, it’s not something I’ve ever regretted doing,” Screnock said.

Tim Burns

· An attorney with experience in insurance-related law, Burns has not previously run for elected office.

· In his May 2017 announcement speech, Burns referred to dissatisfaction with the Wisconsin Supreme Court as a factor motivating his run: "For the past 40 years, I've watched special interests chip away at the impartiality of our courts and it has got to stop."[6] Burns' campaign website argues that "this race isn't about Tim, it's about you and your rights" and identifies Burns' priorities if elected as voting policy, environmental regulations, and business regulations.[7]

· Burns has received endorsements from Bernie Sanders-aligned group Our Revolution, former Supreme Court candidate JoAnne Kloppenburg, and Rep. Mark Pocan (D).

· Watch interview with Tim Burns on Wisconsin Eye

· Burns — who is advertising that he's a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan race — thinks the state’s high court has titled its decisions to corporations instead of the average person.

This isn’t normal. Typically, court candidates avoid overtly stating their political affiliation or directly talking about issues that might come before them as justices — although they often provide hints about their leanings.

Please review all three candidates and choose the one that is most likely to serve in a manner that ensures that the state constitution is supported and defended. The candidate that values justice for all and will work to see that the natural rights of Wisconsin's resident's life, liberty, and property are protected equally and diligently.

We hope to see you at the polls.

WI Senate District 10 - Special Election 2017

Hello Cady Residents,

As you may or may not already know, Governor Scott Walker has appointed Sheila Harsdorf, our elected District 10 State Senator, to a to the office of secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The governor has called for a primary election to take place Tuesday, December 19 with a special election taking place on Tuesday, January 16 to fill the vacancy.

The December 19th primary is only two weeks away and there are two Republicans and three Democrats running to be on their respective party ballots in the January 16 special election.

Republicans:

• Shannon Zimmerman of River Falls - Assembly District 30 Representative
• Adam Jarchow of Balsam Lake - Assembly District 28 Representative

Democrats:

• Rueben Herfindahl of River Falls - CEO of Digital Brigade
• Patty Schachtner of Somerset - St. Croix County Medical Examiner
• John Calabrese of Glenwood City - Cabinet Maker at Big River Woodworks

Libertarian

• Brian Corriea of Wilson - Unknown

As is the case many times with these local elections, there is not a lot of information readily available for each of these candidates. However, the Republican candidates are sitting Wisconsin State Asssemblymen, and will have a voting record associated with their service. You can see these records by following the links next to their names above.

Additionally, there will be a debate tonight at 10PM on "The West Side with Rich Kremer" on Wisconsin Public Radio. You can also listen to, or download the debate from their website.

The Democrats will hold their debate on Wisconsin Public Radio on December 14.

Please conduct your research and be sure to come to the polls on December 19. The Cady Liberty Caucus tries to provide comprehensive and accurate information on candidates that are running for public office in our area, and will only support candidates that are expected to hold to the principles of limited government for the protection of life, liberty and property.

Cady Town Caucus - January 10, 2017

Hello Cady Residents, 

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. As we begin 2017, we are presented with an opportunity to choose whom we would like to have serving us on our Town Board and our Plan Commission for the next two years.

There will be a Town Caucus at the Cady Town Hall on Tuesday, 1/10/2017, for the purpose of nominating candidates for Town Chairman, two Supervisors, Treasurer, and Clerk. The positions are currently held by Mike Tully (Chairman), Bob Klanderman (Supervisor), Jim Mikla (Supervisor), Carla Greiber (interim Treasurer), and Shelly Ninneman (Clerk). All are expected to be nominated to run for the positions that they currently hold, and if things go as they usually do, no one will be nominated to challenge them in the Spring Election on April 4, 2017.

Evidently they are hoping that this will be the case again this year because they actually stated during the January Town Board meeting that they are hoping for a low turn out at the Town Caucus. They seem to want the people of Cady to remain apathetic and disinterested in who serves on their Town Board. Let's show them that the trust we put in our Town Board members is not to be taken lightly by showing up and nominating some good candidates for these positions. There are a lot of good people in the Town of Cady who would serve us well.

There are also openings to serve on our Town Plan Commission right now as the terms of several members are up and they are showing no interest in renewing. So far, Chairman Tully has not had any success in recruiting replacements, either. The Town Plan Commission is in charge of implementing zoning in Cady. It would be wonderful if we could have some strong advocates of property rights approach Chairman Tully and let him know that they would be interested in these appointments. We could do a lot to continue to prevent the implementation of the draconian zoning ordinances that were approved by the Town Board back in 2012 and later rejected by the County. 

If you are committed to preserving liberty and might consider serving your town as a member of the Town Board or the Plan Commission, please contact the Cady Liberty Caucus at the phone number or email address below. We would love to talk to you and help you. If you are not interested in serving, we would urge you, at the very least, to participate in choosing who will serve by coming to the Town Caucus on Tuesday, 1/10/2017. If you don't work to select those whom you wish to govern over you, others will gladly do it for you. Usually, this is limited to those who desire to govern you. Don't just sit idly by and let them have their way. Let's make sure that we don't just let this Town Caucus quietly slip by us as the Town Board is hoping we'll do. Let's show up, make our voices heard, and nominate some candidates who will work hard to preserve our liberties and our chosen way of life here in Cady. We're counting on you.

Happy New Year, and God bless Cady,

Surrendering "Freedom of Choice" for "Poll Worker Convenience"?

Although it's somewhat older news by now, most people are probably not aware that the rules have changed in Wisconsin regarding "write-in" votes.

According to this article on Isthmus, Wisconsin rules were changed in 2014 to save poll workers as much as 45 minutes on election nights, because they are no longer required to count all the votes. 

On April 2, the day after this year's spring election, Gov. Scott Walker quietly signed a bill lifting the requirement that all write-in votes must be counted.

Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted 

To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.

Not only does this new law prevent votes from being counted, but it also prevents votes for "registered" write-in candidates from being cast in the first place. 

According to a memo published by the Wisconsin G.A.B., 

Municipal clerks must provide their inspectors with a list of registered write-in candidates and the offices for which they are running.  This list is not to be posted or advertised in any way.  The list should be present at the polling place, in a folder, so that if a voter directly asks an inspector about write-in candidates, the inspector may refer to the list.  Inspectors may not volunteer write-in candidate information. (emphasis added)

So, how do you even know who you can write-in for an elected position? Well you'll have to ask an inspector at the polling place, assuming that you are even aware that a list of registered write-ins even exists in the first place.

We're told that this new rule is intended to prevent poll workers from having to count votes for Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, but it also relieves them from counting votes for Joe Citizen who doesn't know that he must first "register" with the clerk prior to the election if there is to be any hope that he might be chosen to represent the people.

Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted.
To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.
- See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/news/write-in-election-rules-changed-under-new-wisconsin-law/#sthash.vlLpWCFT.dpuf

Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted.
To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.
- See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/news/write-in-election-rules-changed-under-new-wisconsin-law/#sthash.vlLpWCFT.dpuf

On April 2, the day after this year's spring election, Gov. Scott Walker quietly signed a bill lifting the requirement that all write-in votes must be counted.
Under the new law, only votes for registered write-in candidates, and write-in votes in races absent a certified candidate on the ballot, will be counted.
To be considered a registered write-in candidate, a special form must be submitted with the appropriate clerk's office prior to the election.
- See more at: http://isthmus.com/news/news/write-in-election-rules-changed-under-new-wisconsin-law/#sthash.vlLpWCFT.dpuf