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Ed Hernandez, County Conservationist -
Jim Lietz, Chief Deputy Sheriff
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Wild Rose resident, Sam Wood, spoke during public comments at the Waushara County Board of Supervisors Meeting held at the Courthouse on Feb. 20th.
Wood said before a packed house that he took a stand against government agencies eight plus years ago as he said he has been attacked by Waushara County people, State, and Federal agencies. “I have stood strong and I defended myself against it.”
“I have been assaulted by George Nigh, Waushara County Highway Employee… I want accountability and this is personal,” he added. “I hired an attorney for the reason of suing all of you and suing the county, after talking to my attorney he said that will only get you a paycheck and no accountability,” he said.
He also said after a recent snowstorm, the roads were horrible, noted it on Facebook and added, “I led an attack against Waushara County Highway Commissioner, Brian Freimark, and I let him know it was personal.” He also questioned some spillage on county property he observed and he brought it to the attention of Freimark. How does it end? He said he wants to make peace, but only with resignations or terminations. “I have confidence and we are at war and I will win the war, until then look me up on Facebook — I have a lot that will be exposed,” Wood concluded.
There was no discussion or comments following Wood’s statements as it was a Public Comment and not on the agenda.
Waushara County Administrator Melissa Pingel reported that a reorganizational meeting of the County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on April 16th. She said repurposing of the Highway Department buildings are ongoing. There are seven applicants for the UW Extension Community Development position that will replace the Family Educator. The Strategic Planning is off the ground and will help the county plan for the future. She added this would be her last board meeting and said, “The Board has been awesome and I am proud of all the departments and what they have done and thank you,” Pingel said. Pingel has taken a position with the City of Port Washington.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Jim Lietz, gave the Sheriff’s Dept. Annual Report to the board stating that the department has 58 full time positions, plus two part-time Courthouse Security and the call volume for law enforcement is about 25 calls per day. A full time Recreational Deputy has been added to the force and area lake associations are pleased with the position. He said a new water control system was installed at the jail and the radio tower upgrade has been completed.
A total of 839 papers were served by the Waushara County Sheriff’s Dept. compared to 630 in 2022. The department collected $19,835 in fees compared to $15,690 in 2022. They booked 282 inmates on Felony charges and 584 on Misdemeanors charges. The average daily population of the jail is 76, up six inmates from 2022 and he noted these were only Waushara County inmates as they do not house inmates from other areas. The county recorded 496 traffic crashes, including 387 property damage, 104 injury crashes and five fatalities. The department investigated 41 sex offenses, zero robberies, and 24 burglaries. Investigations included 77 domestic abuse, 185 disorderly conduct, and 55 cellphone/tablets. Record requests rose from 1147 in 2022 to 1523 in 2023.
He concluded his report stating Deputy Scott Eagan is recovering and they hope to have him back in the department in June or July.
During questions supervisor Pat King asked about the distribution and use of Narcan and Chief Deputy Lietz said in Waushara County it is distributed by Waushara County EMS, Waushara County Sheriff’s Department, and Wautoma Police Department.
In other business the board approved an amendment to the bylaws adding strategic planning. They also passed two resolutions acknowledging Ed Hernandez for over 26 years of service as a county conservationist and Administrator Melissa Pingel for her service to Waushara County.
Bernadette Krentz was appointed to the Human Services Board, John Sierk and Kevin Fitzgerald to the Board of Adjustment and John VanAmerongen to the Planning and Zoning Committee.
The next regular meeting of the board of supervisors will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 in the county board room of the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.
Wood said before a packed house that he took a stand against government agencies eight plus years ago as he said he has been attacked by Waushara County people, State, and Federal agencies. “I have stood strong and I defended myself against it.”
“I have been assaulted by George Nigh, Waushara County Highway Employee… I want accountability and this is personal,” he added. “I hired an attorney for the reason of suing all of you and suing the county, after talking to my attorney he said that will only get you a paycheck and no accountability,” he said.
He also said after a recent snowstorm, the roads were horrible, noted it on Facebook and added, “I led an attack against Waushara County Highway Commissioner, Brian Freimark, and I let him know it was personal.” He also questioned some spillage on county property he observed and he brought it to the attention of Freimark. How does it end? He said he wants to make peace, but only with resignations or terminations. “I have confidence and we are at war and I will win the war, until then look me up on Facebook — I have a lot that will be exposed,” Wood concluded.
There was no discussion or comments following Wood’s statements as it was a Public Comment and not on the agenda.
Waushara County Administrator Melissa Pingel reported that a reorganizational meeting of the County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on April 16th. She said repurposing of the Highway Department buildings are ongoing. There are seven applicants for the UW Extension Community Development position that will replace the Family Educator. The Strategic Planning is off the ground and will help the county plan for the future. She added this would be her last board meeting and said, “The Board has been awesome and I am proud of all the departments and what they have done and thank you,” Pingel said. Pingel has taken a position with the City of Port Washington.
Chief Deputy Sheriff Jim Lietz, gave the Sheriff’s Dept. Annual Report to the board stating that the department has 58 full time positions, plus two part-time Courthouse Security and the call volume for law enforcement is about 25 calls per day. A full time Recreational Deputy has been added to the force and area lake associations are pleased with the position. He said a new water control system was installed at the jail and the radio tower upgrade has been completed.
A total of 839 papers were served by the Waushara County Sheriff’s Dept. compared to 630 in 2022. The department collected $19,835 in fees compared to $15,690 in 2022. They booked 282 inmates on Felony charges and 584 on Misdemeanors charges. The average daily population of the jail is 76, up six inmates from 2022 and he noted these were only Waushara County inmates as they do not house inmates from other areas. The county recorded 496 traffic crashes, including 387 property damage, 104 injury crashes and five fatalities. The department investigated 41 sex offenses, zero robberies, and 24 burglaries. Investigations included 77 domestic abuse, 185 disorderly conduct, and 55 cellphone/tablets. Record requests rose from 1147 in 2022 to 1523 in 2023.
He concluded his report stating Deputy Scott Eagan is recovering and they hope to have him back in the department in June or July.
During questions supervisor Pat King asked about the distribution and use of Narcan and Chief Deputy Lietz said in Waushara County it is distributed by Waushara County EMS, Waushara County Sheriff’s Department, and Wautoma Police Department.
In other business the board approved an amendment to the bylaws adding strategic planning. They also passed two resolutions acknowledging Ed Hernandez for over 26 years of service as a county conservationist and Administrator Melissa Pingel for her service to Waushara County.
Bernadette Krentz was appointed to the Human Services Board, John Sierk and Kevin Fitzgerald to the Board of Adjustment and John VanAmerongen to the Planning and Zoning Committee.
The next regular meeting of the board of supervisors will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 in the county board room of the Waushara County Courthouse, Wautoma.