GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Green Bay City Council President Jesse Brunette tells FOX 11 he wants to revise the city’s codes of conduct and ethics for elected officials to keep partisan politics out of those positions.
“I think we need to have a community conversation right now to make sure that that same level of toxicity that we see in the state and federal level doesn’t seep its way into our local politics.”
Like most local government positions, Green Bay’s mayoral and city council positions are nonpartisan, meaning they aren’t supposed to be biased toward any sort of political party.
Brunette’s proposal comes the week after Mayor Eric Genrich, a former Democratic state representative, wrote a letter to President Donald Trump ahead of his visit to the area. The letter was a hit with local Trump opponents and out of bounds for the President’s supporters.
Brunette says his plan isn’t in response to the letter.
“I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time,” said Brunette, who says he’s championed nonpartisan politics throughout his local government career.
Brunette says he doesn’t have an opinion to share on the content of Genrich’s letter, but believes the mayor’s use of the city letterhead could be portrayed as him speaking for all Green Bay residents.
“If that was my personal opinion, I would have written it as Jesse Brunette, citizen, not speak for the entire 12th district.”
“I’m elected to represent the people of Green Bay, to serve the people of Green Bay. I’m going to use this platform for as much good as I possibly can do for as long as I can do it,” said Genrich.
Genrich tells FOX 11 he has constitutional concerns with Brunette’s idea.
“Just because we’ve been elected to local office doesn’t mean that we’re sacrificing our first amendment rights.”
City Council Vice President Barb Dorff agrees with Genrich’s concerns. She’s among a handful of council members who’ve recently endorsed a candidate in a partisan state race.
“I don’t understand it and I don’t know how we could phrase it where I wouldn’t feel that my first amendment rights were not being infringed upon.”
Brunette believes there is a way, pointing out parts of the city codes that dictate what elected officials can’t say. For example, they aren’t supposed to speak negatively about any city employee.
“I just think when people use their elected positions, they should be speaking as individuals, not as though they speak for their entire district when it comes to partisan matters.”
A city committee is expected to discuss the proposal in two weeks.
Potential violations of the city’s code of conduct or ethics can result in penalties, if the city council chooses. Those include censure, community service, fines, and counseling.
