LETTER: Can citizens trust city officials  who hide in closed sessions?

To Ozaukee Press:

I am writing to express my profound concern about the growing disconnect between Port Washington’s elected city officials and their constituents. 

Since the conception of the data center, this has been one of the worst examples of democracy that I have witnessed. The motto of “for the people and by the people” has turned into “for the mayor and the Common Council.”  

Since Dec. 17, 2024, the mayor and council have pretended to hear community voices, but they did not listen or engage. Most of all, they did not represent the people who elected them. This disregard for community conversations eroded the trust of the constituents.  

Because the mayor and council consistently ignored public sentiment, it strongly suggests that our city government fears criticism and is not truly for the people. We deserve a government we can trust and does not go into closed session every time they don’t want voters to hear how they are governing.  

The incident with the police and the three women on Dec. 2 should never have happened. Being passionate in voicing discontent and making a plea to “recall” is free speech and ought never to be punished by law.  

Had the mayor and council listened to the frustrated residents and tried to understand their emotions and underlying needs, the temperature regarding the data center might have de-escalated. The actions of the police only accelerated frustration.  

Pat Morrissey

Port Washington