When looking back at 2014, it might be known as the year of unrest when it came to city politics in the city of Clintonville.
Starting in May, city politics dominated Clintonville news. Residents attended city council meetings in droves to let the council know how they felt.
This is the first in a two-part review of the top stories for 2014.
January
It was announced that the University of Wisconsin Varsity Band would perform in Clintonville on April 5. The performance was hosted by the Clintonville Lions and Rotary Clubs.
Nine candidates announce intentions to seek election to various city government posts when the election takes place in April.
Clintonville City Council approved a plan to add two wings to the Clintonville Veterans Memorial. The plan called for two wall sections to be added, with space for 220 bricks on each wall. At the time Jeannie Schley, chairperson of the Veterans Memorial Committee, said the committee hoped to construct the addition in 2014, if brick sales and fundraising efforts go well.
Gerald Plumb received special recognition from the city council, as he was retiring after 40 years of service to the city.
Clintonville School District approves the purchase of a handheld radio system for administrative office and custodial personnel. The system was to cost $16,787.
A Lake Management Plan for Pigeon Lake was unveiled at a special planning meeting held at the Clintonville High School Auditorium.
February
The city of Clintonville issued a city-wide water trickle notice to prevent frozen private water lines.
Clintonville School Board hired Lynette Edwards as business manager for the district, effective July 1. Current business manager Jenny Goldschmidt had previously announced her retirement, effective June 30.
The Clintonville Area Foundation distributed $11,300 in grants to eight charitable organizations serving people in the Clintonville area.
The Clintonville School Board approved the purchase of 130 Chromebooks for staff, administrators, and some student use. The board was told the purchase price would be between $33,000 and $34,000.
March
The late John Schoenike became the fifth person to be inducted into the Wisconsin Bowhunters Heritage Hall of Fame in the organization’s 75 year history. The award was presented to his family on March 1.
Several students from Clintonville High School advanced to State Solo and Ensemble.
At a March 24 school board meeting the Clintonville School Board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and awarding the sale of $4,665,000 General Obligation Refunding Bonds. It was announced the move would save the district $332,859.
Governor Scott Walker helped Specialized Products Ltd. celebrate 20 years of success on March 25. Walker visited the business, toured the facility and presented a special recognition award to Wayne, Carol, and Chris Oestreich.
April
The date of the UW-Wisconsin Marching Band’s visit to Clintonville had to be changed to April 11 because the Wisconsin Badgers mens’ basketball team advanced to the Final Four.
Judy Magee fended off the challenge of write-in candidate Tricia Rose and was re-elected Mayor of Clintonville.
There was turnover on the Clintonville City Council as Jim Krause defeated incumbent Al Miller for the District 1 seat and John Wilson defeated incumbent Steve Kettenhoven for the District 3 seat. Incumbent Mike Hankins tied with challenger Mary Beth-Kuester. The winner was determined at a future date by pulling a name out of a hat. Kuester’s name was pulled, giving her the seat on the council.
Incumbent Ben Huber was defeated for another term on the Clintonville School Board. Challenger Jim Schultz was elected, as was incumbent Tom Neely.
Waupaca County voters elected Vicki Taggartz Clussman to be Branch 2 circuit court judge. Clussman defeated Keith Steckbauer by a vote of 3,687 to 2,713,
The UW-Wisconsin Marching Band made a visit to Clintonville April 11.
Jeannie Schley was elected the new president of the Clintonville City Council at the April 15 council meeting.
At the same meeting, Tim Schmid was nominated to continue as the Clintonville City Attorney. Six of the 10 council members voted against his nomination, but it was announced he will remain the city’s de facto attorney beginning May 1.
Lynne Simpson, a first and second grade teacher at St. Rose St. Mary Catholic School, was named a 2014 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellow. Simpson joined 99 other teachers from around the state to receive the award in 2014.
Karen Petermann, physical education teacher at Rexford Longfellow Elementary School, was also named a 2014 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellow.
Keith Malueg, a senior at Clintonville High School, earned a Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Initiative Scholar award. The high honor came with a $1,000 scholarship to the college of his choice.
Arty’s Legendary Cocktails announced it was expanding its product line to include two new beverages. It also announced distribution beyond state lines continued to grow.
At its April 28 meeting, the Clintonville School Board discussed the possibility of moving 4K students from Dellwood Early Learning Center to Rexford Longfellow Elementary School. A final decision was not made regarding the change.
May
Bella, daughter of Dan and Sandi Lundt, had her wish of being a princess for the day granted by Make-A-Wish Wisconsin on May 4. She and her family received a horse-drawn carriage ride from their home in Clintonville to McDonalds.
The Clintonville City Council approved spending up to $1,000 to hire special counsel to research the city attorney position.
The Clintonville Tribune-Gazette newspaper returned with the May 8 issue. It was previously called the County Post East. The return to the Tribune-Gazette meant more local coverage of Clintonville news. Bert Lehman was named the editor of the paper, and Tim Beiemal the sports editor.
Brian Dunlavy, Jeni Yaeger and James Peters received Doug Jirschele Sports Awards at the 22nd Annual Doug Jirschele Memorial Sports Award Banquet on May 10. Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy received the Doug Jirschele “Nice Guy” Award. Jodi Behnke received the “Forgotten Person” Award.
At its May 13 meeting, the Clintonville City Council suspended City Administrator Lisa Kotter for five days and opened an investigation of alleged misconduct by Kotter. The decision came after almost three and a half hours of closed session deliberation.
At the same meeting, the city council confirmed the appointment of April Dunlavy as city attorney. Mayor Judy Magee said she appointed Dunlavy to city attorney after being threatened by someone within the building. After the appointment was confirmed and Dunlavy sworn in, defacto city attorney Tim Schmid left the meeting.
The legality of a special council meeting scheduled for May 21 was questioned when a 24 hour notice to the public was not given by the city. In the end, a quorum did not assemble at the meeting time, thus no meeting actually took place.
Suspended City Administrator Lisa Kotter addressed the Clintonville City Council at its May 27 meeting. Kotter urged the council to let her return to work. Many Clintonville residents also addressed the council during the citizens forum portion of the meeting, expressing their views regarding Kotter’s suspension.
June
On June 1 Mayor Judy Magee vetoed the city council decision to refer the personnel matter involving City Administrator Lisa Kotter to the city’s labor attorney. The veto reinstated Kotter as city administrator.
At a June 10 city council meeting, the council voted 6-4 to pass a vote of no confidence in Mayor Judy Magee.
At the same meeting, the council failed to override the mayor’s veto, meaning City Administrator Lisa Kotter continued in her role with the city. There was disagreement as to whether the investigation into Kotter was over or not.
Also at the same meeting, citizens addressed the council for more than two hours regarding the city administrator and the investigation.
Retiring Rexford Longfellow Elementary School Principal Kris Strauman was flash mobbed by students and staff at the school on June 10.
David Schuler, PH.D, a former student of the Clintonville School District, received the 2014 Alumnus Honoris award prior to the High School graduation, June 13. Schuler also spoke at the graduation.
At a special Clintonville City Council meeting, June 25, the council approved an additional $2,200 for repairs to the city’s outdoor swimming pool. The council had previously approved $3,700 for repairs.
The first Lame Ox Festival was held in Clintonville on June 28.