OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – The anger and hurt feelings from the outcome of Tuesday’s presidential election has reached the municipal level in Wisconsin.
During the pledge of allegiance at Wednesday’s Oshkosh City Council meeting, councilwoman Caroline Panske protested by sitting down and staying quiet.
“There are words in there that are hard for me to believe at this moment,” Panske told FOX 11. “It was just raw honesty. I couldn’t pull it off, I couldn’t do it, and so I sat down.”
Panske, however, didn’t expect what happened next, the backlash from her spur of the moment decision.
“I am sorry that people feel disgusted and disappointed, what I would like them to do is reach out to me,” Panske said.
Oshkosh Mayor Steve Cummings says he didn’t see Panske’s protest during the council meeting, but when he found out about it later…
“[I was] stunned or surprised. We are a nonpartisan body,” Cummings said, who deemed the gesture inappropriate. “Whatever your political leanings are, you park those at the front door, you do not bring those into the council chambers. We are elected, and we are here to serve the entire City of Oshkosh.”
Cummings adds he’s never seen this type of thing happen in a council meeting.
“As a veteran, I’m offended. This is just not the place to do it,” he said.
“I do support our veterans. I understand the sacrifices that they make by giving up their family, their lives here to do that,” Panske says.
Panske says she never meant to offend service-members, but doesn’t regret her decision.
“I do feel like there is a community out there that does feel represented by this move,” says Panske.
Panske contends this was a one-time thing.
