GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Media Trackers, a conservative political watchdog group, is reporting the City of Green Bay has received an open records request for text, emails and social media messages from alderpersons involving two recent city controversies.
The request was made anonymously, which is allowed under state law:
1. All emails, text messages and social media private message from the alderpersons to each and Mike Frantz, Dennis Doucette and or Steve Frantz regarding the Hotel Northland from December 1, 2016 through April 9, 2017.
2. All emails, text messages, and social media messages from the alderpersons to each other and Scott Vanidestine, Jeremy Levinson and or Halling and Cayo S.C. regarding the petition and complaint to remove the Mayor from December 1, 2016 through February 28, 2017.
The Hotel Northland is a redevelopment project that has been mired in controversy, much of it involving Mayor Jim Schmitt.
The complaint to remove Schmitt from office came after he was convicted of misdemeanor campaign finance violations.
The complaint advanced to the Green Bay City Council, where it fell just one vote short of forcing Schmitt’s removal from office.
Schmitt has said he suspects several aldermen were involved with the effort to remove him. The reason why some would ask for aldeperson’s messages related to the Hotel Northland project is unclear.
What’s noteworthy about the request is it comes a couple of weeks after Media Trackers received the results of an open records request for Schmitt’s text messaging with those involved in the Hotel Northland redevelopment.
Media Trackers continues to review the text messages it has received.
Media Trackers asked Schmitt via text message Wednesday afternoon if he had made the anonymous open records request. They received no reply.
Media Trackers says it will continue to reach out to Mayor Schmitt.
