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As has become fairly well known, Alder Suslick has missed quite a few Monona common council meetings lately (as well as attending only two of his city committee meetings since his April re-election.) Less well-known: His County Board attendance isn't any better. A little research reveals that County Board Supervisor Suslick has also been missing most of the County Board meetings (Committee and Board) at least since May 2007.
He serves on one main committee, the Environment, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. (He also sits on the Aquatic Plant Management Committee and, but for whatever reason that body hasn't met since September 2006.).
According to the County Board's web site (County Board Supervisors), the Environment, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee has met 18 times in 2007 and Supervisor Suslick has attended five (28%). The Committee has met nine times since May 1 and he has attended once (11%).
(You can find a detailed description of what this committee does here: Environment, Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee. )
Supervisor Suslick attended all but one of the County Board meetings up until May 17. Since then he has attended only three of nine.
We all miss some meetings now and then (I missed the Parks Board's budget review meeting last week due to illness), but at some point it's just too much. Several years ago I had some health issues that interfered with doing my council work and attendance. I considered resigning, but was able to address the issues instead.
Pointing out Dale's attendance shortcomings is not personal. And my guess is that he is simply over-extended with family and business commitments, but the public has a right to be represented.
Check my facts and my math by looking at the meeting minutes:
http://www.co.dane.wi.us/committees/agendas.asp?CommitteeID=137&startDate=&endDate=&sortButton=Search
County Board agendas and minutes:
http://www.co.dane.wi.us/committees/agendas.asp?CommitteeID=71&startDate=&endDate=&sortButton=Search
Sometimes a personal or family health emergency will temporarily affect attendance, which is very understandable.
ReplyDeleteBut if a public official is just too busy with other things, he has no business holding on to public office.
Either way, it seems he owes the voting public that put him in office -- as well as the residents he represents -- an explanation for his absences. I think most folks would be understanding if it was something personal, or even health-related. But absent any comment, it fosters speculation. He should clear the air, or resign if he doesn't have the time to devote to office. As of right now, citizens are being deprived of representation. (He won both seats by very narrow margins; it's highly doubtful the two people he beat out -- Mr. Wiswell and Ms. Schmidt -- would have this kind of poor attendance record.)
ReplyDeleteI boated by his house one day, and his family was playing in the back yard. They looked very healthy.
ReplyDeleteRobin Schmidt would have made an excellent County Board member. I believe she was not "blessed" by the Monona innser circle. She must have not schmoozed properly.
It is disappointing that Dale ran for Council and beat Wiswell by a hair, and a month later started missing County Board meetings.
I completely agree that we would all understand if he has some personal or medical things going on. I like Dale alot and support his views on many things. But it is ridiculous that he is not showing up to do the job we elected him to do. There is not a soul in the world who would blame him if he resigned either position- or both- and simply said he tried to do too much. But he needs to do something.
ReplyDeleteWe know he reads this blog- and no comment??? C'mon Dale- what is up?
why attack Dale?
ReplyDeleteWhy aren't u examining or looking at other political leaders attenance?
What happened with the WATER BILLS?
ReplyDeleteI mean WOW!
Can I put a sandpoint in at my house?
Yea,,, there is a thought foucs on helping build a better city instead of attacking people...just a small thought.
I don't think anyone has "attacked" Dale here. It is perfectly legitimate to ask an elected official to explain when their attendance is as bad as his has been, especially when he assured everyone he could handle both city council and county board. Now, it appears he cannot and no one is being negative when they simply ask him to respond and explain. And Doug is doing the right thing by bringing attention to this. The public has a right to know. Shame on the other council members for not similarly questioning the absent member.
ReplyDeleteQ: why attack Dale?
ReplyDeleteA: These are the facts not attacks. He's getting paid taxpayer money to do the job and that requires showing up.
Q: Why aren't u examining or looking at other political leaders attenance?
A: Because nobody else in Monona is missing most of their meetings. I've never seen anything like it in Monona.
What did Dale say when you asked him about this? Or did you just post the blog without talking to him 1st? We should all worry more about our own actions before pointing fingers at others. I remember back in 2005 when another Alder missed a bunch of meetings. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteYou know, these are all valid questions. On the other hand, I know the Suslick's. I think if you added up all the hours he has put in since he 1st came to Monona, you would not find too many others have put in as many hours into efforts to put Monona 1st. He does put every spare minute into Monona issues after he takes care of higher priorities (i.e.. remember your family folks). I would guess if that is not good enough for some, then you should call him and let him know. Anytime I have asked him about a issue I disagreed with him on, he listens and actually seems well informed. If you don't like his style or beliefs, let him know. In my opinion, Monona would be better off with involvement from busy folks as well as the folks that have time for 10, 20, 30 or 40 hours per week of government. Some folks have time to do more, some don't. We need to all focus on ourselves and do what we can to help Monona vs. advancing a political agenda that suits our own perception.
ReplyDeleteI think that Dale is not alone in the effort he has put into Monona. Saying "well, he puts in a lot of hours, so if he blows off the meetings, it doesn't matter" is ridiculous. It is at those meetings where decisions are made and issues are voted upon. If he doesn't attend, it matters little what he "knows" about Monona issues because he is not affecting the outcome. He is an elected official, not a volunteer. Those are very different things. It IS a big problem when an elected official does not attend the meeting sof the elected body. period.
ReplyDeleteI agree. When a person decides to run for public office, they're making a commitment to regularly attend meetings and represent the people who elected them. If they can't honor that commitment due to time constraints or whatever, then they shouldn't run or should step down. Personally, I don't think anyone should be on both the city council and county board at the same time. It's impossible to do justice to both positions and in the end it's the people of the community who suffer for it.
ReplyDeleteAs long as Dale shows up at the meetings when another conservative vote is needed, all is well.
ReplyDeleteIf he resigned, they wouldn't appoint another conservative to finish his term.
The October 15th council agenda is posted. Is the following, new business on the agenda, regarding a current adlerperson, resigning or taking a leave?:
ReplyDeleteNew Business
* 2. Consideration Of Resolution 07-10-1505, A Resolution Appointing An Interim Alderman (Mayor Kahl).
weird.
ReplyDeletemonona dug seems to have gone on a vacation after a couple of recent comments.
yet, we do know the following from Doug"
This was not an attack-Doug was just stating the facts.
We are not sure if doug spoke w dale before blogging, but I am sure he did.
There are no policital motivies.
And-noone has done before on the council.
Dale sent an email to the city clerk stating his intention to formally resign from the city council and focus more on county board.
ReplyDeleteDoes it feel dirty around here or is it me?
ReplyDeleteQ: Does it feel dirty around here or is it me?
ReplyDeleteA: Huh? Clarify what you mean, please.