To the Editor-

The current City Council has a lot of problems today it’s never had before in recent memory.

Those problems appear to be due partly to partisanship, partly to ignorance. I’d been hearing rumors in the community about some of what is said and done during City Council meetings but couldn’t believe it; so I started watching the meetings. I still can’t believe it!

After attending the last three Common Council meetings at the courthouse, and watching several before that on the city website, I am alarmed more people aren’t speaking out against this council’s actions!

I can see a clear problem with some of our council members, to include Mary Kneebone, Cindy Nebel, Mary McComb, and Meleesa Johnson. These four don’t seem to respect any city employees or the mayor. They act like they deserve more power than they should have.

They act without regard for the information presented by experts hired by the city, and vote on emotion and principal. Recent examples include Mary McComb’s comment about hiring a specific company to paint bike lanes just because it was owned by a woman (instead of the company approved by the city!); also Cindy Nebel’s belief that changes are needed to the city’s trash can ordinance despite Mayor Mike Wiza saying publicly that it was overly restrictive and unnecessary, and despite the city already employing someone to write ordinances. Cindy Nebel could have very easily requested the ordinance change through that office, and it could have saved three months of bickering.

I also have to point out the new executive committee, which was the idea of Meleesa Johnson and seemed to be very supported by Tori Jennings and Mary Kneebone, is one of the worst ideas ever. I am very glad it was withdrawn. This group appears to be threatened by the status quo, and very distant from the pulse of this city.

This group seems to support bicycle and pedestrian issues above all other concerns. Social justice issues are more important to them than fiscal responsibility. It’s an embarrassment to the entire city. I encourage you all to take more of an interest in what’s happening in city government and to speak out at the meetings.

Patrick Lynn
Stevens Point

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