By Jacob Mathias

A Monday presentation on Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law for village leaders in Park Ridge was postponed.

The presentation, scheduled for delivery by District Attorney Louis Molepske, was cancelled after Molepske was unable to attend at the last minute. The presentation covers state statutes 19.81-19.98, which govern the process of holding a government meeting. Under the law, government entities are required to take certain steps relating to public notice of meetings, meeting agenda wording and discussion topics during each meeting.

Park Ridge President Trish Baker said Molepske often gives the presentation to municipal bodies, including village boards and common councils, following elections so the newly-elected understand the law.

“We have a couple members of our board that [sic] have never worked in government before and it’s just simply good information,” said Baker.

Trustee Jim Sachs was elected in April, and Kathy Bemowski was also recently hired as the village’s clerk/treasurer; neither have seen Molepske’s presentation, Baker said.

Baker, who also currently serves on the Stevens Point School Board, previously saw the presentation in 2015, when Molepske addressed that board following an accusation of an open meetings violation. Baker is also the former Portage Co. Clerk of Courts who now practices law privately in Stevens Point, and previously served on the Park Ridge Village Board.

Molepske’s presentation will be rescheduled, but no date has been set.

Park Ridge Board of Trustees next meet on Monday, Aug. 21 at 5:30 PM. The Park Ridge Village Hall is located at 24 Crestwood Dr. in Stevens Point.