Vol. 125, Number 1 Ladysmith, Wisconsin 54848 Thursday, April 18, 2019

Electric co-op expanding New headquarters planned in city Page A2

Holy week Attend a church service Page A7 Milk pricing Where does Wisconsin rank? Page A10

Complaint alleges $9,744 stolen Former county department head facing felony theft related charges

By Luke Klink SWORN IN AT CITY HALL — City council members who won seats in the Spring Election take the oath of office at the council’s organizational meeting on A former Rusk County Department Inside Tuesday, April 16. They are (from left) Marty Reynolds for District 7, Bonnie Stoneberg for District 5, Brian Groothousen for District 3 and Mark Platteter for head is charged in Rusk County Cir- District 1. Alderman Al Hraban in District 6 was approved unanimously as new council president. cuit Court with four felony internal County maintenance — News photo by Luke lLink embezzlement employees tell and theft related Projects scheduled to start on or before May 6 counts alleging investigators super- use of county visor ordered them identification to Fritz, Worden schedule a moving target purchase furnac- to install furnaces, es, water heaters, By Luke Klink cluded when work would begin and City officials also expressed concern from W. Fifth Street to W. Ninth Street tires, deck boards, air conditioners for With the city preparing to undertake end, which street would see major about how construction would affect at Wis. 27. skid steer parts one of its busiest street construction work first, the direction of travel for special downtown events, namely the The cost of the projects are esti- and other materi- boss’ relatives and seasons in many years, getting all the construction and how to lessen impact Ladysmith Jaycees Mardi Gras Street mated at $1.9 million with almost half Mike als for both per- build a deck for his moving parts into the necessary order to many downtown area shops that Parade on the third Sunday in July. funded through Community Develop- sonal and family remains a work in progress. will hope to do business amid incon- The street portions involved are: ment Block Grants and principal for- Naczas use. lakeshore campsite. A pre-construction meeting was veniences caused by the construction. n Eight blocks of Worden Avenue giveness loans through the Wisconsin Mike Naczas, 62, of Chetek, the held last Thursday, when engineer- Also included in talks was impact from E. Fourth to W. Fourth streets. Department of Natural Resources Safe county’s former maintenance su- ing and construction representatives construction could have on fire, law n Three blocks of Fritz Avenue Drinking Water and Clean Water Fund pervisor who oversaw a department identifying information or documents. overseeing the work met at city hall enforcement and ambulance service from W. Second Street to W. Fifth programs. with four employees, was charged on He was placed on paid administrative to discuss the projects and coordinat- that rely on these roads when respond- Street. Thursday, April 11, with one count of leave March of last year as the inves- ing with utilities. The discussion in- ing to emergencies. n Four blocks of Summit Avenue Please turn to Page A12 felony misconduct in office-acting in tigation began before he resigned last excess of authority and three counts of felony unauthorized use of an entity’s Please turn to Page A9 City taps grants to fund downtown roadwork By Luke Klink nancing tools being used to fund near- Prison for courthouse When the Ladysmith Common ly half of the project including Com- Council held a public hearing to al- munity Development Block Grants low comment on proposed sewer, and principal forgiveness through the bomb scare suspect water, curb, gutter and sidewalk spe- Wisconsin Department of Natural Re- cial assessments for this year’s $1.96 sources Safe Drinking Water Loan and By Jerilea Hendrick emailed to the Rusk County Court- million in street work on Fritz and Clean Water Fund programs. Principal After a jury found him guilty of house between July and September Worden avenues, it had the project forgiveness is additional subsidy, pro- four bomb scares to the Rusk Coun- 2016. designer, an engineer, city auditor vided by the federal government, to ty Courthouse, Assistant District Attorney Lester and an attorney on hand to strength- assist municipalities that would expe- a Mondovi man Liptak called Hewitt’s case “trou- en its argument for its method of fi- rience significant hardship raising the was sentenced blesome on a number of levels.” The nancing the improvements. revenue necessary to finance needed to 10 years in type of trauma Hewitt inflicted on City officials project $499,699 in infrastructure projects. Principal for- prison. the entire community of the court- special assessments with $456,177 for giveness is used to reduce the size of Dustin E. house is a difficult kind of trauma, private property owners and $43,522 a loan, thus reducing annual principal Hewitt, 25, ap- said Liptak, while it’s not physical, for publicly owned parcels. Nearly 50 and interest payments. peared in Rusk it’s very difficult for some people percent of the project is being funded With the DNR loans, the city will be County Circuit to recover from because it sticks in through grants and principal forgive- to W. Fourth Street and three blocks of for resurfacing only as part of a sepa- paying back $125,698 in interest over Court on April 2 your mind. Liptak asked the court, ness loans. Fritz Avenue from W. Second Street to rate $117,206 project. 20 years. Alternatively, if the city had to be sentenced “how do you give someone back a The street portions involved in the W. Fifth Street. Another four blocks Cooper Engineering Environmental applied for funding through USDA, it Dustin for four bomb reconstruction are eight blocks of of Fritz Avenue from W. Fifth Street to Scientist and Community Financing Hewitt scare threats he Please turn to Page A11 Worden Avenue from E. Fourth Street W. Ninth Street at Wis. 27 is scheduled Specialist Amy Kelsey described fi- Please turn to Page A11 Bruce area author publishes new book sequel By Jerilea Hendrick Knops realized he could wait no lon- the story of a nation-wide serial kill- and has used it to continue to grow A Bruce area writer filled his life- ger. “So many people say they will er who’s killing career spans more as a writer. On his writing journey, long dream by releasing his second wait until retirement to write a book than 50 years. one of the best tips he received was novel, Eight-Five…Still Alive; a or work on a life goal,” said Knops. To write this second novel, Knops for writers to write like you speak sequel to his first novel published in He was able to finish his first book said he completed more background because it will help create a real and 2014 called Eight-Five. within four months. research to allow the story to incor- relatable story for your readers. After enjoying writing short sto- Based on feedback he received porate more reality and spent time Knops worked for many years for ries for most of his life, Arian Knops from his readers, he decided to write rearranging and fine-tuning the sto- Northern States Power in downtown has always wanted to write a book. the sequel Eight-five…Still Alive. ry. Building, blending and creating Minneapolis before retiring to the Knops shared a memory of a long- Knops said some of his readers characters is the fun part of writing, Bruce area. He believes his experi- time friend who had a similar life didn’t like the ending and wanted says Knops. ence of working around a variety long goal but passed away before more. His second novel took almost Writing creative short stories since of people from many backgrounds, that goal could be realized. four and a half years to complete. high school, Knops said he has re- The night after his friend’s funeral, Eight-five…Still Alive continues peatedly received positive feedback Please turn to Page A11

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$ “Good news since 1895" Lady Smith 1 www.ladysmithnews.com Ladysmith News Thursday, April 18, 2019 - A9 Criminal complaint details charges filed against Naczas A criminal complaint against former tone brand tires size P275/55R. Rusk County Maintenance Supervisor, The detective reported he spoke with Mike Naczas alleges the following thefts Judge OK’s releasing former worker’s records Naczas about the purchase of the 20-inch and department activities while he was tires and Naczas admitted there are no overseeing a county department and By Luke Klink time due and owing employee, and the senior center roof project and to allow the parties to redact any fleet vehicles he is aware of that have 20- staff of four employees. A separation payout agreement employer shall receive no addition- not being given enough money to information that could be deemed inch tires. When the detective told Nac- between Rusk County and its for- al payouts,” the document states. get the work done. confidential. zas about the information he had that the n Gibson brand residential high effi- mer maintenance supervisor was “If an inquiry is received, employ- Naczas contested the newspa- The redacted information ap- 20-inch tires had been placed on his per- ciency furnace found installed at a Cam- among numerous documents re- er shall inform the Department of per’s request, and was granted peared to be employee financial sonal truck, Naczas allegedly stated he eron home. leased earlier this month, eight Workforce Development that the a temporary injunction in Rusk and personal information of no can buy tires and reimburse the county An interviewed county employee de- months after a newspaper request employee resigned in lieu of termi- County Circuit Court to block the relevance to the investigation into for them since he uses his personal truck scribed a residential forced air furnace for information related to an inves- nation and the reasons therefore.” county from releasing the docu- Naczas’ work performance while all the time for county business. Naczas that had been shipped to the shipping tigation into the department head’s The settlement also releases the ments. employed at the county. also allegedly said he remembered buy- dock at the Rusk County Government work-related conduct. county of any current and future Schedule conflicts for Naczas’ Other documents released in- ing the set of 20-inch tires for his truck Center. The employee observed the in- Mike Naczas was charged last claims. attorney, Michael Cohen, over the clude a May 7, 2018 letter from and assumes he reimbursed the county voice for the residential furnace was both Thursday, days after the records Last Aug. 2, the Ladysmith News following Thanksgiving, Christ- county Personnel Committee Chair- for them. shipped and billed to Rusk County from were released to the Ladysmith formally requested documents in mas and New Year’s holidays post- man Tom Hanson ordering Naczas The forensic audit shows no payment an Eau Claire business. The employee News to comply with the news- the personnel file of Mike Naczas. poned the hearing on a possible to turn in work keys, identification from the defendant reimbursing Rusk stated that, a few days after the residen- paper’s request under the federal It also asked for documents in his permanent injunction until early in badge and any county property in County for the purchase of the 20-inch tial furnace arrived, he, along with anoth- Freedom of Information Act and disciplinary file, work performance 2019. The next scheduled hearing his possession including county-is- tires. Rusk County paid the total invoice er co-worker and Naczas, delivered the Wisconsin open records laws. related documents and any separa- date was suddenly canceled due to sued credit cards, electronic devic- in the amount of $2,326, of which the in- furnace to the Naczas’ stepson’s house Naczas’ release and resignation tion, resignation, termination and a weather-related power outage af- es and passwords. The letter orders voice amount for the set of four 20-inch in Barron County. The employee stated agreement states the employee shall other similar documents. It also fecting most of Ladysmith, includ- Naczas to perform no work for the tires was $537. they installed the forced air furnace in remain in paid status through June asked for minutes from meetings ing the courthouse. county and to provide the county n Trailer tires. Naczas’s stepson’s house. 15 last year. He will be paid for 223 where Naczas’ employment, termi- When the hearing was finally with information about where he Last March, while investigating the The employee told the detective he hours of accrued but unused paid nation or resignation were discussed held in late February, Cohen and can be contacted at all times. Nac- 2016 truck tire purchase, store staff said questioned Naczas about this furnace and time off based on accruals through or considered. It also asked to see Naczas did not appear in-person, zas was also informed not to have Naczas had just been at the store two why they were installing it in a relative’s last May 31, valued at $6,663 and documents handled by Naczas be- but instead by teleconference. contact with any current or former days earlier and bought eight tires which home. Naczas allegedly responded by less applicable taxes and with- tween the county and contractors in After hearing arguments from county employee, official or -con he indicated were for enclosed trailers claiming the furnace was only shipped holdings. He will be eligible for 2018 and any and all documents re- Cohen and Ladysmith News Edi- tractor “regarding any issue which for the maintenance department in the to the Rusk County Government Center, retirement at 75% of employee’s lated to the roof project at the Rusk tor Luke Klink, Rusk County Cir- you may believe may be related to amount of $470. They were bought with but was billed to his stepson. The em- extended leave bank with $7,647 County Senior Center and contrac- cuit Court Judge Steven P. Ander- this investigation.” the same credit card used for making the ployee stated he knew this was not true contributed to his post employment tors who did the project. son agreed to allow Cohen and the “You are directed not to enter any 2016 truck tire purchase. because he saw the invoice and knew the health reimbursement account. During a telephone interview county’s attorney Sven Strutz, to county properties without escort by Last May, while at Naczas’ nephews’s furnace was billed to Rusk County. “This represents a full and com- with a Ladysmith News reporter review the records the county was a designee of the sheriff,” Hanson Marshfield workshop, the detective ob- The co-worker also questioned Nac- plete settlement of all paid benefit last year, Naczas specifically named prepared to release. The review was writes. served tires on a tandem axle trailer ap- zas about this furnace and why they were peared to be new tires, matching the tires going to Cameron to put it in the Nac- on the tandem axle trailer to the purchased zas’ stepson’s house on county owned Skidsteer pallet forks (Auburndale confirmed that Rusk County purchased on the Naczas’ privately owned ATVs. The criminal complaint alleges tires in the size of ST225/75R15/10 Tow- time. The co-worker stated Naczas told home). and paid for the hot water heater, gas fur- The business owner stated he traded the the composite deck order came from max brand tires with a serial number of him, “He should keep his mouth shut or The employee described a third resi- nace and parts. The forensic audit shows defendant’s repair bill for a wall-mount- Lampert Lumber in Ladysmith. The CMAX53T. he would be looking for a new job if he dential forced air furnace and a residen- no payment from Naczas reimbursing ed garage heater. The detective observed store did not have a transaction record When the detective asked Naczas ever talks about it.” The co-worker stated tial air conditioning unit and condenser Rusk County for the purchase of the gas and photographed the garage heater that for the sale of the decking material and about the trailer tires, he allegedly admit- to the detective Naczas told both county that he saw received at the shop. A few furnace, hot water heater and parts. was mounted in the shop of the owner’s no disbursement from Rusk County to ted purchasing them from a Rice Lake workers that they should mark their time days later, the employee noticed those The detective also observed a newer building. Lampert Lumber for the purchase of business. Naczas stated he purchased six sheets as working at the courthouse and items were gone. A third county employ- Gibson brand air conditioning condenser Last April, the detective spoke with a composite decking material was located tires for the five maintenance trailers. The not to discuss that they were working ee answered he saw Naczas’ nephew unit and pad outside the residence with a corporate loss prevention manager for as part of the forensic audit. Dave Lane forensic audit shows no payment from outside of Rusk County. stop one day and “they disappeared.” serial number matching the serial num- the company that sold the garage heater. at Lampert Lumber informed the detec- Naczas reimbursing Rusk County for The furnace and parts cost $866 total The employee stated an on-demand ber for a Gibson condenser shipped and An on-line invoice showed the 80,000 tive that, in the past, he has donated and the purchase of the new tires the detec- and was ordered on Jan. 5, 2015.The hot water heater was also shipped to billed to the Rusk County Courthouse in BTU garage heater was ordered on Oct. not sold material to the Fair Association. tive observed on the tandem axle trailer. detective found the furnace installed the Rusk County Government Center the customer’s name “air port.” The or- 22, 2015, in the total amount of $582. The n Truck tires. — In 2016, the em- n Other — The criminal complaint at Naczas’ stepson’s house in Barron from the same Eau Claire business and der date is June 15, 2016, and the ship garage heater was ordered and shipped to ployee stated that he and a co-worker also alleges the detective obtained three County. The serial number matched the invoiced to Rusk County. Several days date is June 16, 2016, the same date as the “Rusk County Airport.” The forensic drove to Rice Lake where they picked additional invoices that were shipped serial number on the invoice for the con- later, he noticed the hot water heater was the invoice. The price of the condenser audit identified the only county issued up tires for county-owned vehicles. The and billed to the Rusk County Court- densing gas furnace that was shipped and no longer on the shipping dock or in the was $738. credit card Naczas had access to ended employee recalled one set was 16-inch house by the Eau Claire business where billed to the Rusk County Courthouse in maintenance garage warehouse, tell- Several additional entries for parts in the same last four digits as were on tires for the airport plow truck. Another the furnace observed at Naczas’ stepson’s the customer’s name of “Mike N.” ing the detective Naczas said it was the were included on this invoice, along the invoice. The forensic audit shows no set was 17-inch tires for the three-quarter Cameron home was ordered. A forensic accounting of disburse- wrong unit and that his nephew picked it with a $10 freight charge, bringing the payment from the defendant reimburs- ton maintenance truck. Included in the A Sept. 4, 2013 invoice was for a ments made by Rusk County confirmed up and returned it for him. total amount due on this invoice to $779. ing Rusk County for the purchase of the purchase of the tires was a set of four 20- Gibson gas furnace and parts. A Feb. 18, Rusk County purchased and paid for the The employee further told the detec- A forensic accounting of disbursements 80,000 BTU garage heater. inch Firestone brand tires which were a 2016 invoice was for a Gibson condens- gas furnace and parts. The forensic audit tive new skidsteer pallet forks had been made by Rusk County confirmed that n Composite decking boards at Nac- heavy-duty winter radial tire. ing gas furnace and parts. An Oct. 13, shows no payment from Naczas reim- delivered along with a leased skidsteer Rusk County purchased and paid for the zas’ campsite on Lake Holcombe. — In Last March, the detective spoke with 2016 invoice was for an electric 50-gal- bursing the county for the purchase. that was to be used during the Rusk air conditioner unit and parts. The foren- late July 2016, the employee indicated the store manager, who located the in- lon upright water heater and parts. Only n Gibson brand high efficiency fur- County Fair during the late summer of sic audit shows no payment from Naczas a full unit of about 60 twenty-foot long voice for the purchase of tires by the one of these invoices was determined to nace, air conditioning condenser unit 2016. The employee stated a Rice Lake reimbursing Rusk County for the pur- composite decking boards was shipped Rusk County Highway Department in be a furnace that was installed on county and pad found installed at a Stratford company delivered both the skidsteer and chase of this air conditioning condenser and delivered to the Rusk County Fair- the total amount of $2,326. One of the property. That furnace is located in Trails home — The county employee told the pallet forks to the fairgrounds prior to the unit, pad and parts. grounds and placed into a shed near sets of four tires that was purchased is End. detective around the same time frame or fair. Several weeks later, he was talking The detective also observed a newer the grandstands. About one year later, Firestone brand size P275/55R 20 inch A county worker stated he assisted shortly thereafter, a second residential to a co-worker when the co-worker said style New Holland brand skidsteer the employee stated Naczas came to tires, and the store manager specifically the employee in installing a new high- forced air furnace also shipped to the he ran into Naczas’ nephew and asked parked in the driveway of the residence. him with a building project including remembered Naczas telling him the 20- efficiency furnace at Trails End Camp, shipping dock at the Rusk County Gov- him when he was going to bring the new The skidsteer had a black colored walk- measurements and dimensions. Naczas inch tires were for his personal truck and but said there has been no other instal- ernment Center. This furnace was loaded skidsteer pallet forks back. through set of pallet forks. The detective assigned the county employee to build going out to the defendant’s personal lation of new furnaces in the four years into the defendant’s personal Chevy The co-worker stated that the nephew observed they were a newer set of pallet wooden panels using this composite truck, which had 20 inch tires, to get the he has worked for Rusk County. The Avalanche truck. The employee, along replied, “They’re mine now.” The pal- forks that actually had the business name decking. The employee described the correct size. worker also recalled a new air-condition- with the co-worker and Naczas, drove to let forks had not been returned when laser cut through the top metal portion project as consisting of approximately The detective reported he drove last ing unit that was shipped in a box from a private residence near Marshfield and the employee left his employment with and later identified the pallet forks as the 12 or 13 (approximately 3-foot x 4-foot) May to a Thorp auto dealer where Naczas the Eau Claire business, and he indicated installed the furnace. The employee indi- Rusk County in January 2018. set that went missing. dimensioned squares. The employee traded in his previously-owned Chevro- he has no idea what happened to the air cated the home was owned by the defen- The co-worker stated he was aware The detective obtained an invoice for helped load the dimensioned squares into let Avalanche truck. The detective visu- conditioning unit and knows it was not dant’s nephew and this furnace, too, was there was a new set of walk-through pal- Berlon walk thru 48” forks from the busi- the Naczas’ Chevrolet Avalanche truck. ally inspected the tires on the truck and installed in any of the buildings they shipped and billed to Rusk County from let forks that went missing from the fair- ness. The pallet forks were sold to Rusk Several weeks later, the employee was noted that all four tires are 20-inch Fires- maintain. the same Eau Claire business. grounds approximately two years ago, County maintenance at a total price of invited to Naczas’ seasonal camping site The co-worker told the detective he and he heard rumors Naczas’ nephew $895. A forensic accounting of disburse- on Lake Holcombe. The employee ob- was directed by Naczas to go with Nac- may have acquired them. He told the de- ments made by Rusk County confirmed served all of the composite wooden pan- NOTICE: zas and the other county employee to in- tective he asked Naczas’ nephew about Rusk County purchased and paid for the els he made were used to make the top of stall the new forced air furnace. the pallet forks and did not get a reply pallet forks. The forensic audit shows no a dock which extended out into the lake. VILLAGE OF BRUCE The co-worker stated they drove to back. payment from Naczas reimbursing Rusk A co-worker stated that, in the spring Stratford, where they worked for four Sheriff’s Department detectives from County for the purchase of the pallet of 2017, he observed the employee Water Customers to five hours installing the furnace- in Barron and Marathon counties executed forks. cutting up the same composite deck- The Village of Bruce will be cluding putting a conversion kit on it to a search warrant on Naczas’ nephew’s n BTU garage heater (Holcombe ing material that had been stored at the convert it from liquid propane to natural home in Auburndale. business) — The employee described a fairgrounds into smaller size boards and Flushing Water Hydrants gas. Again, the co-worker stated Naczas A Barron detective observed a Gibson Modine brand wall heater that had been loading it into the defendant’s personal informed the two employees they should brand high efficiency furnace inside the shipped to the Rusk County Government truck. When shown a picture of the APRIL 22nd, 23rd, 24th & 25th mark their time sheets as working at the residence, matching the serial number Center and he told the detective he over- dock extending into the water in front from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. courthouse and not to discuss traveling to for a Gibson condensing gas furnace heard Naczas speaking with a Holcombe of the Naczas’ campsite, the co-worker Please refrain from running water during this time. Stratford to install the furnace. that was shipped and billed to the Rusk recreation business owner about repairs recognized it as the same decking mate- The detective located a Gibson brand County Courthouse in the customer’s Naczas needed on his personally-owned rial and approximate dimensions that the 7KHÀXVKLQJRIZDWHUPDLQVLVWRUHPRYHH[LVWLQJVHGLPHQWDQGSRVVLEOHGHSRVLWV RIPDQJDQHVH EODFNVSHFVDQGWKHFDXVHRIEODFNZDWHU DQGLURQ WKHFDXVH high efficiency furnace in the home’s name “fair ground.” The order date is ATV four-wheeler. The employee asked employee had cut up and placed into the RIEURZQRUUHGZDWHU ,QWKHSURFHVVRIÀXVKLQJVRPHEODFNVHGLPHQWPD\ basement with a serial number matching Oct. 21, 2015, and the ship date is Oct. Naczas what the Modine heater was for Naczas’ personal truck. When the detec- RUPD\QRWEHFRPHHYLGHQWLQ\RXUZDWHU,IVRSOHDVHÀXVK\RXUKRXVHOLQH the serial number on the invoice for the 22, 2015, the same date as the invoice. since it was not a commercial unit and tive showed the picture of the dock to IRUDVKRUWSHULRGRQH&2/':$7(5IDXFHWIRUWRPLQXWHV,IGLVFRORUHG gas furnace that was shipped and billed The price of the gas furnace was $633. wouldn’t be applicable for any of the another county co-worker, he, too, indi- ZDWHUODVWVIRUPRUHWKDQDGD\SOHDVHFRQWDFWWKH9LOODJH+DOODWRU to the Rusk County Courthouse. The detective reported that, in the government buildings in Rusk County cated it was identical to the composite 6KRSDW The price of the furnace was $801. course of executing the search warrant, and Naczas allegedly told him it was for decking material that was delivered to '2127%(&20($/$50('RYHUWKHVDIHW\RIWKHZDWHU,WLVRQO\DQDHVWKHWLF SUREOHPDQGLVQRWKDUPIXOWRKHDOWK3OHDVHLIDWDOOSRVVLEOHGRQ¶WXVHZDWHU A separate entry for parts was included he also observed an on-demand hot wa- the DNR building. The employee stated the fairgrounds. IRUZDVKLQJLIEODFNZDWHULVH[WUHPHVLQFHPDQJDQHVHDQGLURQLQFRQFHQWUDWHG on this invoice, along with a $10 freight ter heater inside the residence with a se- he knows that heater was never installed A third county co-worker also recalled DPRXQWVZLOOGLVFRORUFORWKHV charge, bringing the total amount due rial number matching the serial number in the DNR building, and was no longer some composite decking boards that had on this invoice to $1,090. A forensic ac- for a condensing tankless water heater on any county owned property. been delivered to the fairgrounds went THANK YOU, counting of disbursements made by Rusk that was shipped and billed to the Rusk The detective spoke with the Hol- missing. He stated the boards remained By Order of the Village Board County confirmed that Rusk County County Courthouse on the same invoice combe business owner and asked him at the fairgrounds possibly over the 1N purchased and paid for the gas furnace as the gas furnace. The price of the wa- if he has ever done any repair work on winter before he and the employee as- and parts. The forensic audit shows no ter heater was $1,109. Several additional lawnmowers or service equipment for sisted in cutting them up and building 3 payment from the defendant reimburs- entries for parts were included on this Rusk County, and the owner said he had foot x 4 foot squares. When asked what ing Rusk County for the purchase of this invoice, along with a $10 freight charge, not. The detective then asked the busi- happened to the decking, the co-worker BUCKLE YOUR SEATBELTS! high efficiency furnace and parts. bringing the total amount due on this in- ness owner if he had ever done any re- stated he noticed they ended up on the As he was leaving the house, the de- voice to $2,096. A forensic accounting pair work for Naczas, and the owner said defendant’s dock at his seasonal camp- tective observed a newer Gibson brand of disbursements made by Rusk County about two to three years ago he worked site on Lake Holcombe. air conditioner near the home with a se- rial number matching the serial number on the invoice for a Gibson condenser air conditioning unit, condenser pad and nu- Naczas: Facing four theft-related charges merous other parts that were shipped and Continued from Page A1 A second employee also provided independently verified items reported billed to the Rusk County Courthouse in a detective with hand written notes to him that were shipped and billed the customer’s name “Mike.” The order June. he had taken of things he had docu- to Rusk County that Naczas then date is June 18, 2015, and the ship date is An 11-page amended criminal com- mented that he felt were either “illegal converted to his personal use and for ,WLV7LPHIRUWKH June 19, 2015, the same date as the fur- plaint alleges during the investigation or ripping off the taxpayers of Rusk which there is no record of payment nace invoice. which took more than a year to com- County.” from Naczas to Rusk County. The price of the condenser was $698, plete, a forensic audit for the period Naczas has worked for the county Naczas faces maximum penalties UNGLA$WWKH2IÀFHRISS ALE and the total amount due on this invoice between May 1, 2014 and April 30, since 1973. As maintenance supervi- of $40,000 in fines or 21 years and 6 S S after including the condenser pad, parts 2018 found Rusk County made pay- sor, Naczas had supervisory author- months in prison, or both. and freight charge was $866. A forensic ments connected to this investigation ity over four maintenance technicians A motion for a replacement judge accounting of disbursements made by lacking business purpose substantia- who worked under his direct supervi- from Rusk County Circuit Court Judge Rusk County confirmed Rusk County tion in the total amount of $9,744. sion. Steven P. Anderson has been filed in In Downtown Ladysmith purchased and paid for the air condition- According to the complaint, a The investigation, which began the Rusk County Clerk of Courts of- (715) 532-3006 ing unit, pad and parts. The forensic audit county employee told a detective that, March 21 last year, was handled by an fice, on grounds Naczas was a long- shows no payment from the defendant shortly after his initial employment, he outside jurisdiction, the Barron Coun- term county employee who managed reimbursing Rusk County for the pur- witnessed property being purchased ty Sheriff’s Department and charged the maintenance department. The case All Sunglasses 40% OFF chase of this air conditioning condenser by Rusk County and converted to by special prosecutor Barron County has been assigned to Chippewa County 3UHVFULSWLRQRUQRQSUHVFULSWLRQ 51N52S1N2S unit, pad and parts. Naczas’ or Naczas’ family’s personal Assistant District Attorney John Rafa Circuit Court Judge James Isaacson. n Gibson brand high efficiency fur- use. The employee produced notes he Todd. An initial appearance is scheduled Now through April 30th nace, on-demand hot water heater, air had taken over time and provided that Barron County Sheriff’s Detective for Tuesday, May 14. *See Well * Look Good * Feel Great * Have Fun* conditioning condenser unit and pad, list to a detective. Jeff Nelson alleges in the complaint he www.ladysmithnews.com Ladysmith News Thursday, April 18, 2019 - A5 Opinion

Editorial Legal system fails in release of records ‘as soon as practicable’ Last August, the Ladysmith News the public had a right to know why. requested numerous documents to As a department head, Naczas was help the public gain a better under- a public officer, favoring disclosure standing of why a longtime county as stronger than non-disclosure. The department head was placed on paid public has a right to know how a administrative leave and later signed county department head, was per- a release and resignation agreement forming, or perhaps in this case not from his 45 years of employment. performing. The public has a right Fast forward eight months, and re- to know how its tax money is being quested documents that clearly fall spent, by a county department head Letters under the statutory presumption of doing government business. openness in Wisconsin open records Naczas’ salary was paid for with law are, at last, provided. public money. He was working for Writes about enthusiastic engineer tooting train horns, writing contest entries Wisconsin Statute 19.35(4)(a) the public. The documents being mandates a response to a request requested also may have indirectly A few things have been bugging me, and I bet there anything we can do to curb his enthusiasm students (good for them!) and the RAAA schol- under the federal Freedom of Infor- shined a light on how elected of- they are bugging other people, too. for the horn? arships only received one entry. Perhaps there is mation Act and Wisconsin public ficials were or were not overseeing First is the very inconsiderate train engineer who Second, it’s very disappointing to see that our misunderstanding about eligibility or something, record law be provided “as soon as an entire county department. Were went through Ladysmith at about 11 pm on Sun- school kids are either not being giving the in- but in that case, teachers or advisors should call practicable and without delay.” Re- elected officials not doing due dili- day, April 7, and Monday, April 8, tooting the horn formation about contests or are not rising to the the sponsor and clarify. Sports is not the only are- leasing these documents to the La- gence and keeping watch for taxpay- from one end of the city to the other. He didn’t just challenge. I am referring to the writing contest na for competition in this world, and the more stu- dysmith News eight months after the ers while Naczas was employed by toot, he tried to make it melodious, dragging out sponsored by the Writers’ Group, which encour- dents strive to create and compete, the better off request was made is in no way soon, the county? the long notes and providing a romantic version of ages students to enter their writings in an annual they will be. At the very least they will have the practicable and without delay. Unfortunately, the Woznicki rule the proper warning rhythm (two longs, one short, contest for monetary prizes, and the new art schol- experience, and if they win, they get a prize and it Sadly, a high school teacher’s suc- clouds government transparency. one long). This is probably the same guy who has arships offered by the Rusk Area Arts Alliance to goes on the resume, which is always a plus. cessful fight more than 20 years ago The words “As soon as practicable done this in the past all night long, especially in the three local high schools. The Writers’ Group Ruth Meszaros to block release of his personnel file and without delay” were summarily the summer when we have our windows open. Is only received entries from North Cedar Academy Ladysmith resulted in “the Woznicki rule.” The redacted in Naczas’ attorney’s busy state Supreme Court held in the case datebook book during Thanksgiv- of Thomas Woznicki the law must ing, Christmas and New Years. The allow the subject of public records soonest possible hearing date right Highlights youth-powered movements focused on climate crisis threatening future to seek judicial review of a custo- after the holidays also had to be post- What do the Sunrise Movement, This Is Zero of citizens, reduce carbon pollution and create protecting their health from carbon pollution. It dian’s decision to release them. In poned due to an unforeseen weather- Hour, and Youth Climate Strike have in common? millions of jobs while preserving our civiliza- will create millions of new jobs, stimulating eco- 2003, a compromise “fix” was made related power outage at the court- They are all youth-powered movements focused tion for future generations. These young activists nomic growth in local communities. And the gov- to the rule in an effort to curb delays house. Almost two more months on the climate crisis that threatens their futures. clearly understand that we must do this without ernment will not keep any of the carbon fees. by limiting public employees’ right passed before the case could finally Their leaders are as young as 14 and all recog- delay. “We cannot solve a crisis without treat- If this sounds like a positive solution that will to challenge disclosure through the be squeezed into the attorney’s date- nize the magnitude of the crisis that is undermin- ing it as a crisis” (Greta Thunberg, 16, Swedish be the first step in solving our crisis, then please courts, especially the rights of agen- book. When the case finally did go ing their futures…and they aren’t taking it sitting climate activist) call our 7th District Representative Sean Duffy, cy and department heads. before a judge, a news reporter sat down. Since the adults in charge of protecting So, what can we do to raise the alarm, support and tell him to support H.R. 763: 1-202-225- Attorneys for Rusk County quick- alone in the courtroom to argue why the future of our planet have failed to act, young the younger generations and protect their futures? 3365. Tell him we must treat the climate crisis as ly attempted to comply with the La- the public had a right to know. people across the globe are filling the void. They Right now, there is bipartisan legislation in the a crisis before it robs our children of their futures. dysmith News request last August Naczas and his attorney, who cited are organizing, meeting with legislators, march- House of Representatives called the Energy In- They can’t wait until they are old enough to be in for documents relating to the em- numerous reasons why he couldn’t ing, speaking out, raising the alarm, and conduct- novation & Carbon Dividend Act, H.R. 763. This charge! Tell him “I want you to act as if our house ployment of former county Mainte- squeeze the hearing into his date- ing school strikes in countries around the world. bill is effective, quickly reducing CO2 emissions. is on fire. Because it is.” (Greta Thunberg) nance Supervisor Mike Naczas. The book, failed to appear in person and They are demanding action to transform our en- It is good for people by putting money from the Linda Herscher documents, which included e-mails, argue why the documents needed to ergy systems in ways that will protect the incomes fee directly into their pockets every month and Birchwood project receipts and meeting min- remain hidden from view. His argu- utes, were finally made public just ment was phoned in. days before the release last week of If an attorney didn’t have time to an 11-page criminal complaint that argue the case, he should not have Your Right to Know alleges the department head abused taken it on. If an attorney could ar- his position in government by charg- gue it over the phone, it did not have ing $9,744 in building materials and to take this long. If an attorney can Don’t purge records of expunged cases other items to the county for his own come up with enough excuses, it be- personal use. The complaint also al- comes possible to keep the public in By April Barker of expungement. Gov. Tony Evers has called for ready may not legally discriminate in hiring unless leges Naczas threatened his staff, the dark for a very long time. Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council expunging convictions for individuals convicted of the circumstances of the conviction “substantially ordering them to install stolen goods A decision to release employee possessing small amounts of marijuana, and legis- relate to the circumstances” of the job, or in other purchased at taxpayer expense in records should not be decided by a Wisconsin legislators are looking to reform cur- lators are looking to allow expungement for first- similarly limited instances. homes of the his family members busy attorney, a packed datebook or rent law governing the expungement of criminal offense drunken driving. Proponents of removing information assert that while his employees were supposed a slow court. The county’s attorney records. Currently, when a case is expunged, the court file people are frequently denied employment because to be working for the county. was prepared to fulfill obligations Among other things, SB-39 would allow those is sealed and the record removed from the state’s on- of minor or long-ago criminal convictions. But A whistleblower in the department spelled out in federal and state open convicted of crimes for which the maximum term line court records system, Wisconsin Circuit Court in fact, the vast majority of people with criminal provided an investigating detective records laws. of imprisonment is six years or less (including Access program. Supporters of these bills consider convictions do manage to find work. The state has with hand written notes he had taken In the Naczas’ records case the some felonies) to ask a judge to this removal of records an essential component of 1.4 million people with criminal pasts, according of items he had documented that he public had a right to know, not to be expunge their convictions even expungement. (Last year, in a similar vein, the di- to one group pushing for expungement reform; the felt were either “illegal or ripping off manipulated within the legal system if they fail to do so at the time rector of state courts implemented a policy remov- state’s unemployment rate is 3 percent, or about the taxpayers of Rusk County.” in an effort to stand in the way of of sentencing, as is currently ing, after two years, dismissed criminal cases from 94,000 workers. When Naczas finally was placed openness in government. required. WCCA.) Ceding the right to know what our government on paid administrative leave before It would also allow those While the goal of assisting people in moving is doing is a slippery slope that has no identifiable eventually quitting while still under Ladysmith News editorials are older than age 25 at the time of past their pasts is laudable, we would do well to re- stopping point. The denial of access to information investigation by law enforcement, written by news staff. an offense to request expunge- member the words of the late U.S. Supreme Court about government activity unquestionably under- ment, and expressly provide Justice Louis D. Brandeis, who wrote, “Experience mines our ability to know what our government is that an expunged record can- teaches us to be most on our guard . . . when the doing and has done. not be considered a conviction government’s purposes are beneficent.” In this case, there is little empirical evidence April for purposes of employment. Wisconsin’s open records law declares that deny- supporting the reasons for limiting access, however Barker The standard under present law ing access to information about the actions of gov- honorable the government actors’ intentions may would be carried forward, which lets judges grant ernment is generally contrary to the public interest. be. expungement if they determine “that the person That may be especially true when the information will benefit and society will not be harmed.” being removed involves the actions of law enforce- Your Right to Know is a monthly column dis- The rationale for the bill, which has broad bi- ment agencies and courts, both of whom are en- tributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information partisan support, is to give those who have made trusted with great powers that are subject to abuse. Council (wisfoic.org), a group dedicated to open minor mistakes a fresh start, including supposedly The goal of erasing criminal convictions for those government. April Barker, the Council’s co-vice enhanced employment opportunities. It is one of who are deserving can be accomplished without president, is an attorney with Schott, Bublitz & En- several current proposals to expand the availability removing records from public view. Employers al- gel of Brookfield.

The Capitol Report Neubauer defeat dashes liberals’ hope for Supreme Court majority Lisa Neubauer conceded to Brian Hagedorn on son’s seat. And in 2020, when Democrats state- Neubauer spokesman Tyler Hendricks said April 10, a week after Democrats woke to a shock- wide turn out for a presidential primary, they would she won’t run for the state Supreme Court ing result. complete the task by dispatching Justice Daniel next year, when Kelly is up for a full 10-year term. On-line poll Liberals and Democrats had a money advantage, Kelly, appointed to the court by Scott Walker. Re- She instead will look at seeking another six-year a template from Rebecca Dallet’s big court vic- publicans were so fearful of this scenario that they term to the 2nd District Court of Appeals, where (Last week’s question and result) tory in 2018, and a turnout boost through various even thought about changing the date of the spring she served alongside Hagedorn. school spending referendums, contested mayoral elections next year. TV numbers shared with WisPolitics.com and a races in Madison and Green Bay and a Democratic That liberal dream is now kaput. When Hage- check of filings with the state Ethics Commission primary in the Kenosha seat once held by former dorn gets sworn in this summer, the conservative detailing independent expenditures show outside Assemblyman Peter Barca. court majority will be back to 5-2 and give conser- groups backing Neubauer outspent those support- On top of that, the traditional conservative coali- vatives a cushion should Kelly lose. ing Hagedorn by nearly 2-to-1. Still, Neubauer tion that had helped engineer a solid court majority The win was narrow — some 6,000 votes — but bemoaned the role of outside money, saying she for the right fell apart over Hagedorn’s controver- enough for a liberal loss. This can be added to the hoped future races would see less influence from sial past writings on gays. list of “what ifs” that includes Hillary Clinton in “outside special interests.” But grassroots conservatives, the state GOP and 2018 and JoAnne Kloppenburg in 2011. The Republican State Leadership Committee’s late money from out of state woke up the Christian “Judge Hagedorn said that he was running to get Judicial Fairness Initiative spent more than $1.2 right and the WOW counties around Milwaukee to partisan influences out of our courts, and I hope million over the last week of the race on TV, digi- give Hagedorn a narrow upset win. he lives up to his promise,” Neubauer said. “Our tal ads, mail and other advertising backing Hage- Hagedorn, age 41, will take over for longtime courts are strongest when politics are set aside, and dorn. liberal Justice Shirley Abrahamson, 85, who is we follow the law regardless of personal views.” “With more than $1 million poured in against dealing with cancer and decided against seeking In a message to supporters, Hagedorn said he me with false and misleading attacks in the final another 10-year term. She had been on the high was “deeply humbled and grateful.” Throughout week alone, it’s not hard to imagine that is what court since 1976. the campaign, he said a justice should “say what made the difference,” Neubauer said. So Hagedorn not only takes Abrahamson’s seat the law is, not what the law should be,” that par- To vote on this week’s new poll question: to the delight of conservatives who have railed tisan politics have no place at the court, and he The Capitol Report is written by editorial staff against her for years, but he dashes the hopes of would uphold the constitution as written. at WisPolitics.com, a nonpartisan, Madison-based Do you attend an Easter service? liberals who had dreams of taking back the court “I meant every word, and I will endeavor to ful- news service that specializes in coverage of gov- majority. fill these promises with all my ability,” said Hage- ernment and politics, and is distributed for pub- Dallett’s win got liberals closer, to a 4-3 edge. dorn, a former Walker aide appointed by the then- lication by members of the Wisconsin Newspaper go to www.ladysmithnews.com Then Neubauer was supposed to keep Abraham- governor to the state appeals court in 2015. Association.