Go Anita

Editorial from The Reporter today August 2, 2006

Board chair wrong to say it's 'sadistic'

In a radio interview July 26, County Board Chairman Martin Farrell opined that it was "fanatical" for a citizen's group "to force a referendum" on reducing the county board of supervisors from 36 to 18. He claimed that there was "something sadistic about this whole group." He also said, "They hate for some reason" and accused them of "personal and hidden agendas."

Farrell is a political science professor at Ripon College. Surely he must know that the right of the people to petition their government is guaranteed by the Constitution — a right recently affirmed by the Wisconsin Attorney General when the right of Fond du Lac County supervisors to circulate petitions was questioned.

The kindest definition of "sadist" is one who enjoys cruelty.

Wisconsin Act 100 which outlined the procedure to be used if citizens wished to reduce the size of their county boards was passed by both houses of the legislature on a voice vote and signed by the Governor this spring; it's a non-partisan issue. I am reasonably certain that they didn't think that they were aiding and abetting "cruelty" to county supervisors currently holding office. County supervisor is not a lifetime appointment.

Members of CPR are willing to discuss the merits of the issue after the Ad Hoc Committee's report is presented to the County Board -- anywhere, anytime we are invited, if our schedules permit, but only if the discussion is civil, and remains civil.

Right now, I wouldn't discuss the weather with Marty Farrell.

A gentleman and a scholar would apologize for his tirade. We won't hold our breath!

M. Anita Anderegg

Fond du Lac

As I see it Marty Farrell has a agenda, it is to keep the people from voting on the referendum. What's wrong Marty can't you come up with a reason to keep the board at 36? Make your case because we intend to. And for heaven sakes stop the name calling!