GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Despite some strong opposition, Green Bay Mayor Jim Schmitt will keep his job.
In a special meeting, that started at 7 p.m. and lasted over 4 hours Monday night, the city council voted 8-4, only 1 vote short of ousting Schmitt. A three-quarters majority vote would have been needed to remove the mayor from office.
Members of the common council, public and media, heard Jeremy Levinson, the attorney representing the city council and Mayor Schmitt’s attorney, Patrick Knight, go head to head. Petitioner and Green Bay resident Scott Vanidestine also spoke at the meeting, stating his reasons for wanting to strip the mayor of his title.
“This is not a case of a couple of simple errors. It’s a case of 37 violations that show the intent to deceive,” Vanidestine said.
At around 8:30 p.m. the council went into close session to go over the facts brought about in a report handed out by Vanidestine among other things. The Alderpersons didn’t resurface for another 2 hours.
Once they returned to the council room, two votes were taken; one to see there was “cause” to remove the mayor. “Cause” was defined under Wis. Stat. Ch. 17 as “inefficiency, neglect of duty, official misconduct, or malfeasance in office.”
The council voted 9-3 that there was “cause” to remove the mayor but in a subsequent vote to remove the mayor the council voted 8-4, one vote short of what was needed to take Schmitt’s title away.
Alderman Chris Wery voted in support of the removal and says they now have to look forward.
“Well, obviously disappointed. I think a case was made and you heard the vast majority, 8 out of 12 people speak for various different reasons all across the spectrum for removal.”
Alderperson Barbara Dorff didn’t feel there was “cause” to remove Schmitt.
“This was just a horrible experience. It was hard for all of us. It will make so many people unhappy…it will make so many people happy,” said Dorff.
As for Mayor Schmitt, he plans to finish his term as mayor and if there is a re-call election, he will run.
“To face a recall, it’s very difficult and it’s not something I want to do but again I’m going to do what’s best for Green Bay.”
Schmitt’s terms as mayor is up in 2019.