Cathi Malke - Letter to Editor

Dear Editor,

On the City of Peshtigo Citizens Discussion Group website, administrator Tony O’Neill can approve or deny anyone who wants to become a member. Mr. O’Neill can write a comment or a response, and Mr. O’Neill can choose to keep the comment or delete the comment. This is why I did not become a member. I feel the Peshtigo Citizens Discussion Group is biased depending on what the subject is and who the author is. I am going to address what 15 people informed me on what was posted on this web site.

I am going to start with John Berendt’s comment made on the Peshtigo Citizens Discussion Group website. Mr. Behrendt stated, “What a joke! The Mayor timed this perfectly to push the blame.” Mr. Behrendt’s statement truly baffles me. In the last five years, Mr. Behrendt was on the city council for four of them. Mr. Behrendt just got off the city council last year. Mr. Behrendt attended meetings when property values that had fallen below the Wisconsin Department of Revenue guidelines were discussed. A decision was made to wait and see if the City of Peshtigo would get back into compliance. Mr. Behrendt had a vote at these meetings. As Mayor, I did not. I do not appreciate Mr. Behrendts comment when Mr. Behrendt in fact was part of the decision making process.

Mr. O’Neill stated, “Take away the referendum part ($29 Per lOOK) of your tax bill and you will see where the true raise came from, also understand that property assessments had to be made by the City of Peshtigo, it’s my understanding that they had not been timely in the requirements to make them.” First, Mr. O’Neill, the city of Peshtigo has to follow the Department of Revenue guidelines. I don’t know if Mr. O’Neill received a letter from the city’s assessor stating why there was going to be a reassessment. The letter also stated with home values going up, the mill rate would go down. Unless you put an addition or made improvements to your property, your taxes would not increase due to the reassessment. This is what happened. Again, the decision was made by the city council to wait and see if property values would go back into compliance.

Mr. O’Neill also stated; “A couple of years ago when the referendum was presented for the proposed new school, a new school that we could afford then, the school was stymied by the introduction of the road referendum by the City of Peshtigo.” Again, if Mr. O’Neill would have done true due diligence he would have discovered this information was discussed at length. The city kept the public advised. Back in 2020 our former Public Works Director provided his road construction with current needs and estimates. The total dollar figure in 2020 before prices soared was $5,442,290.00. Yes, I need to look out for Peshtigo’s best interests now and in the future. And for further information the City of Peshtigo started the referendum three months before the City of Peshtigo knew the school was having another referendum. Again, this information was always discussed and voted on in the council meetings.

The City of Peshtigo is having a special council meeting this week to approve applying for two separate road construction grants. The City of Peshtigo has applied for the last four years, and has not received any funding. Currently, the city has $405,451.00 dollars towards street improvements, replacements, and water breaks that cause pavement to be replaced. To correctly replace West Park Drive the City of Peshtigo is looking at $800,000.00. The funding sources that I will apply for are 80%/20% match. The City of Peshtigo could not afford the West Park Drive project if the funding is 50/50. I know some people criticize because I apply for different funding, which I don’t understand. Applying and receiving grants helps keep property taxes down while still making improvements to the city.

Finally regarding your ending Mr. O’Neill on where to point the blame, the City of Peshtigo has never withheld information from the public. I also feel you need to take your own advice. Your statement, “Of the others looking to blame, the information is out there, just take the time to look for it.” In my opinion, I feel you should take your own advice! Maybe you should do your due diligence before making accusations.

Cathi Malke

 

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