Open Meeting Law Violations...or not

In his Amery Free Press column this week, Bob Zank takes the entire County Board to task for going into closed session to discuss negotiation strategy for the sale of Golden Age Manor.
Mr. Zank does not mention in his column that Corporation Counsel Fuge, along with private counsel from the Riley firm in Eau Claire, advised the Board that the closed session was appropriate and legal. When a person (or the County Board) hires a lawyer to give advice, the best course for the client is to follow the lawyers' professional guidance. I'm a teacher, not a lawyer. I assumed then, and I assume now, that Mr. Fuge's advice, as well as the concurrence from the Eau Claire lawyer, was given in good faith, and that we would not be breaking the law by going into closed session.
Polk County Board members acted on advice of counsel when we went into closed session, and that's why the court today declined to impose any forfeiture for any Supervisor in this case.
I'll be looking forward to Mr. Zank's column next week, when he explains the court's ruling. Mr. Zank was there when Judge Harrington announced that we Supervisors had a right to rely on legal advice, and that forfeitures would be inappropriate because there was no intent to violate the Open Meeting Law.
I've been on the Board now for three years. By and large, it is, as Mr. Zank points out in his column, a pretty thankless job. But the occasional opportunity to make a difference and do something positive to help bring better government to Polk County makes it worthwhile for me. I'll continue to do my best, and although I probably have not made my last mistake, I pledge to work hard for the best interests of the citizens of Polk County.
In the meantime, Mr. Zank, as well as other concerned citizens, should attend a committee meeting once in awhile. The committes are where the County Board grunt work is done. Bob should drop by Land and Water, Lime Quarry and Extension Committee meeting. Human Services is another committee, which I chair, that addresses issues important to the County. Citizen attendance at these meetings is unusual. An observer who attends only the County Board meeting each month does not get a true picture of how the Board functions.
Some people run for office thinking that they're going to cut taxes and improve the roads at the same time. After they're elected, they find out how difficult it is to balance a budget. There are things I'd like to see changed in the County Board. I think we have too many Supervisors. I think we need a full-time Administrator. There are some people in County government who should be gone. Overall, though, the County is blessed to have hard-working people who are dedicated to the best interests of the citizens of Polk County.
New candidates for office are not encouraged when they read in the Amery Free Press how everyone on the County Board is essentially either an unrepentant criminal or incompetent. I don't think holding everyone on the Board up for public ridicule is a particularly effective way to drum up qualified candidates in the next election. There are several excellent Supervisors who should be re-elected, if they choose to run again. I hope that the negativity in Mr. Zank's column doesn't convince them that they should decide to spend more quality time with their family instead of shouldering the responsibility of public office, especially when that public service includes tar and feathers, courtesy of Mr. Zank.