(Chapter Six in the Mayor Gunfumble Farce. Readers may appreciate the additional background information found in earlier Gunfumble Diaries)
Statement from Donald A. Kriefall, County Board Chair
Date: April 13,2022
Subject: Washington County District 17 Supervisor Timothy C. Michalek
It is alleged that on March 9, 2022,Washington County Supervisor Timothy Michalek (District 17) illegally carried a firearm into the Washington County Sheriff's Office...Upon learning of this potential infraction, the Washington County Sheriff conducted a thorough investigation and referred charges of Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Carrying a Firearm in a Public Building in violation of Wisconsin law to the Washington County District Attorney who forwarded the request for charges to the Dodge County District Attorney for review.
Since that incident, the County has retained outside counsel to assist in the review and investigation of this matter. After meeting with counsel and reviewing the allegations, I am calling for Supervisor Michalek to resign from office effective immediately.
I am aware that while serving as Mayor of the City of Hartford last evening, Supervisor Michalek issued a brief statement expressing his regret for his actions. While Supervisor Michalek may regret his conduct, it is important to remember that nobody no matter their position in life is above the law. Mr. Michalek's decision to conceal carry his firearm without a valid permit in a place where firearms are prohibited by law amounts to a significant breach of the public trust.
Each day that this matter remains unresolved is a burden to the taxpayers of Washington County and casts a shadow over the Washington County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Michalek's presence on the board is an unwelcome and unwanted distraction. The people of Washington County deserve better from their elected leaders. Supervisor Michalek should resign at once and spare the Board and the public the very costly and time-consuming process of seeking his statutory removal from office.
If Supervisor Michalek will not immediately resign, I will be preparing formal charges seeking his removal from the Board.
Kreifall received Michalek's resignation statement at 4:56pm on Monday, April 18th. The Board was scheduled to meet the next day. Item number seven in the agenda reads:
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Motion to Approve a General Fund Transfer to Pay Potential Legal Fees for the Chapter 17 Removal from Office Proceedings Regarding County Board Supervisor Timothy C. Michalak
Michalek did not attend that meeting to offer his resignation in person. Nor did he offer the Washington County Board of Supervisors any kind of apology, in any form, for his actions. Kriefall and the other supervisors must be wondering, “How many times did Michalek illegally carry a concealed firearm in the Washington County Public Safety Building?”
Michalek's Concealed Carry permit expired in November of 2021. But did Michalek carry his concealed firearm into other government buildings after that permit expired? Say, anytime in December, January and February? Did Michalek carry his concealed firearm into, say, Hartford City Hall, in violation of Wisconsin law, during those same three months?
How many misdemeanors are we adding up here?
Washington County residents who value public safety and who expect public officials to be held to the same letter of the law are hoping the Dodge County District Attorney proceeds with charges against Michalek. He has a whopping case of Entitlementitis, and his head is extremely swollen.
Washington County no longer has to tolerate Michalek’s dysfunctional and antisocial behavior at County Board meetings, or witness his contempt for the law. His infantile behavior infuriated sane residents. But it’s a different story in Hartford, Wisconsin, where Michalek is Mayor. Chapter Seven reveals how the Good ol’ Boys circle the wagons to defend their fellow dimwit.