The Onalaska Town Board will hold a special meeting at 6:30 tonight to discuss a host of controversial issues including personnel problems with the town administrator and clerk.
Allegations of dysfunction have swirled in and around the town hall since Administrator Paul Kitzmann was hired in December. Tension mounted in March as the town’s long-time secretary quit and Clerk Sue Schultz accused Kitzmann of creating a “hostile” work environment. In addition, La Crosse County officials are investigating allegations that the town board violated open meeting laws last week
Though former Secretary Peg Hanson has not commented publicly on her reason for resigning, Schultz said Kitzmann had sent “harassing” e-mails, including one to Schultz in which he outlined 16 issues with her performance. (Read one of those e-mails.)
In the e-mail, Kitzmann accused Schultz of inappropriately disposing of public records and “outright rude behavior.”
The two have clashed over Schultz’s responsibilities.
Kitzmann’s hiring drew fire from former town Chairman Dave Paudler, who is challenging incumbent Chairman Stan Hauser in Tuesday’s election. Paudler has questioned Kitzmann’s qualifications, and said if elected he will expect the administrator to prove he can work “in a professional manner.”
Among the items on tonight’s agenda are discussions of personnel problems concerning Schultz and Kitzmann as well as discussions of the clerk’s job description and Kitzmann’s performance evaluation.
Also on the agenda is a discussion of computer data recovery and a formal complaint.


Consider This wrote on Apr 5, 2009 6:58 AM:
wrote on
Apr 2, 2009 9:28 AM:
"Second, start attending meetings. Get involved or prepare to start paying to be a part of Holmen."
You are RIGHT mildred; we need to attend the meetings. The problem is, now Mr. Howard Kelly (on another thread) has publicly admitted to holding/attending meetings with no agenda or official record. How can we be "involved" when Howard Kelly and his mentor Dave Paudler, want us kept in the dark? "