(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SALEM LAKES, Wis. – Tensions are boiling over in Salem Lakes as residents prepare to confront their elected officials over what they see as a full-scale assault on public accountability, free speech, and environmental protections.
The entire Village Board — led by President Rita Bucur and backed by trustees Bill Hopkins, Ron Gandt, Dennis Faber, and Angela Brooks — is facing mounting public outrage ahead of Monday night’s meeting, where a controversial public comment crackdown is expected to be adopted.
The proposed ordinance would give the board sweeping authority to silence or remove speakers for remarks they consider “inflammatory,” “repetitive,” or otherwise “disruptive.” It also prohibits laughter, jeering, or any reaction deemed inappropriate by the board chair. Critics argue the language is vague and dangerously subjective, paving the way for censorship of dissenting views.
What further enraged residents was the board’s decision to place the vote on the ordinance before the public comment portion of Monday’s agenda — effectively preventing the public from speaking out before it becomes law. The maneuver has been described by opponents as a calculated move to suppress input and fast-track one of the most restrictive local speech policies in the state.
Some locals have dubbed it the “Gestapo ordinance,” calling it authoritarian and undemocratic. The proposal has generated fierce backlash on social media, with residents warning that the rule will be weaponized to silence critics and shield officials from accountability.
One such resident, Jessica Atwood, warned that under the vague language of the ordinance, even fact-based comments about board actions or village administration could be shut down. She pointed out that any statement critical of officials could be arbitrarily deemed defamatory or disruptive — effectively outlawing political disagreement during public meetings.
The crackdown on speech comes as the board faces unrelated — but equally serious — allegations over the unlawful destruction of wetlands behind Village Hall. On May 14, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a formal notice of noncompliance to Village Administrator Cassandra Hiller, after a site inspection found that trail construction in and around protected wetlands was performed without permits. The agency found that the earthwork altered the natural grade and violated state law. The village has until June 15 to either restore the area or apply for a nonfederal exemption.
Despite the violation, Bucur and the trustees have remained silent, with Bucur continuing to publicly support Hiller. Hiller, a Democrat from Johnsonburg, Illinois, was Bucur’s top pick for the administrator job — selected over other candidates despite a citizen advisory panel recommending someone else.
Adding to public concern are allegations of cronyism surrounding a recently awarded landscaping contract. Kenosha County Eye confirmed that the contract went to an Illinois-based company whose business development executive lives directly next door to Hiller. Multiple Wisconsin-based contractors were allegedly passed over. Both Hiller and Bucur ignored requests for comment.
As Monday’s 6 p.m. meeting approaches, residents are expected to pack Village Hall in what may become a turning point in local governance. Many say they are not just demanding answers — they are demanding resignations.
What began as frustration over a mishandled environmental project has snowballed into a broader crisis of trust in village leadership. And now, the whole board is under fire.
**This story has been modified from its original version due to new information**
57 Responses
On the agenda tomorrow night is a 220 foot lakefront land give away on Rock Lake in exchange for useless c2 1/2 acre land. A land owner built a pier across village land 19 years ago. Last year applied for a chemical permit through the dnr which exposed the illegal pier. Same non riparian owner has been on harvesting permits on Rock lake even though the village owns the land. Now the village is set to give the land to the owner at no cost despite the public being against this bad deal. Why is the red carpet being rolled out for bad behavior? Shame on the village!
What’s the landowner name, tell us
Landowner name is listed in the agenda for the May 21 Plan Commission meeting on the Village website
I didn’t ask that. Thank u for ur bs.
Audio of meeting https://voslwi.gov/?SEC=8C21FC90-A45D-4936-AA0C-579B35A118E1&Type=B_BASIC
Slimey fake lakefront Wanna bee that loves to escape taxes for their own benefit
The plan commission approved it in December without receiving all the property info. A couple weeks ago after a public hearing the same commission tabled it. Perhaps the public hearing should have been first! Now the village is rushing a resolution……disgusting
The new plan Commission did not approve, they wanted more information. Why is this even on the agenda as the plan committee didn’t come to a consensus yet ?
Hopkins who is an acquaintance of honaker was all in favor. Should have abstained his vote! Hiller never admitted the pier was never permitted. She admitted it to others! This deal never should have happened.
Faber and Hopkins should have abstained. This is the truth!!!
Hopkins, Gandt and Faber are back to their old ways. Change my ass.
Another wetland issue?!!! The Village board needs to stop the Administrator from any wetland deals.
This “Land swap” has been pushed by the Village administrator and supported by Village President without proper citizen comments and input, This is not for the good of the citizens of Salem or the county or state. There seems to be a dark agenda behind this push, because Salem residents have been bringing this up at multiple meetings and are apparently being ignored. It does look like the leadership at Salem including Administrator, hired, not elected) needs to go and this swap needs to be denied.
Probably a handshake deal done in the bathroom at Ralph’s. I’ve heard Madame President likes to hang out there with her friends doing unsavory things. The whole Village is screwed under the leadership of this administrator and board. They are all bad seeds running their own agendas and kissing each others asses and stroking each others egos. Good luck VOSL residents. We’re in for a long ride with this group.
Better wake up, Hopkins, Gandt and Brooks are lock and step. Cassandra could convince Hopkins dog shit smells good. He and Cassandra are a theatrical event, every meeting.
It’s a little harsh, but it seems like Hopkins and Cassandra have a special connection. Many people have mentioned that.
What did I miss? Wasn’t this woman praised as the divine savior of Salem Lakes not too long ago?
This isn’t the first time that this has happened. The previous administrator had public works employees do similar work and nobody said anything. It seems like some people just have an issue with her.
Kevin can you elaborate on this landscape deal?
In due time
Check out TMJ4 tonight’s broadcast at 10, wetland segment on Salem Lakes.
Salem Lakes in the 10 o’clock news for the wetland cover-up. Great!! Sorry, besides Mr. Poli, time to send the others packing. You dummies voted these old crap members in again, you deserve them. Time to Say Goodbye to Salem Lakes, it was nice while it lasted. These f-ers are going to build high density crap everywhere, that’s what liberals from Illinois do, and it’s just F-ing dandy.
Wetlands trampled and now being given away? Unbelievable on how foolish this is.
Free Speech is Protected by the Constitution of The United States.
No local or state rule, law or ordinance can limit or stifle Free Speech. No village can make a rule that violates the Constitution !!
Heck even the simple proposed rule of stopping people from being repetitive has no standing. Repetition can underscore the importance as a whole community. If all 45 minutes is used on the same topic, the seven board members have no authority to stop these individuals from Speaking their minds !! In fact that repetition on its own should be taken for the meaning that they really should heed what they are hearing.
Individuals could step up and say they agree with the previous speaker or speakers or say the same things in their own words. And Nobody can stop them !
And any local deputy would be amiss to follow a directive by the village president to stop someone from talking or escort anyone from the podium or out of the building. As long as the speakers don’t incite violence. Anything said about any individual is allowed under the U. S. Constitution.
The deputy cannot violate the constitution just because someone tells them to. They would be well advised to brush up on the first amendment before following through with an unconstitutional directive.
They are there to be available if a law is broken. Not to stop free speech !!!
You may have an issue with Kevin Mathewson possibly suing because of him being denied the chance to speak because of being late to the start of the meeting. He was there while public comments was still happening. He should have been allowed to say his piece. Sign in sheet be damned.
Heck this same village president in a handful of meetings after first being elected asked after the sign in list was exhausted if anyone else in the audience wanted to speak. Then she stopped doing that. Why ??
For the board members who are interested in preventing people who don’t live in the village from speaking, why ??? What is your reasoning ???
What makes you think you have the authority to make such a rule ??!! You don’t !!
As said elsewhere, how can a lawyer representing a resident then be allowed to speak if he or she doesn’t live in the village ??
There are so many things wrong about any rules in regards to public comments.
Sure if you want to limit it to 45 minutes. Ok. But even at that if there are a lot of speakers that want their voice to be heard then it should be a minimum of 15 speakers or 45 minutes, which ever comes last.
We could go on and on and on.
And we are still wondering what problem is the president trying to solve ??
I’m a supporter of the village president. And a supporter of the administrator though I wonder about some of the things she’s done.
This public comments rule needs to be thrown away and if you feel you need to control it in any way, just limit the time. Everything else is beyond your authority and is unconstitutional.
Too much wrong with the comment above.
Remember, this is a board meeting.
Audience comments are not statutorily allowed meaning there isn’t any requirement to allow them at all.
They could be totally removed.
That, by the way us what rita should do.
So you think removing Public comment all together is better? I pray you are NEVER are a decision maker, your attitude is not what made this country great. A democracy is messy but ultimately finds common ground. Look at the stupid nonsense the democrats did for four years to screw Trump, at our cost. When public officials operate on feeling instead of common sense, you get statements like yours, irrational and misguided. I think President Bucur should take your advice, let’s see what happens. Omg . I’m sorry, your statement is sooooo misguided.
If u abuse you lose.
You are a guest at the meeting. You are allowed to listen, nothing sez u get to participate.
…because we’ll listen to someone who types “sez”.
I didn’t ask that. Thank u for ur bs.
Sez or not, still a statement of fact
That letter or memo almost sounds like a dictatorship! And it oozes with arrogance. She really is full of herself to say the least.
.. of having open government at all ??
Might as well have everything in closed session then. Just lock the doors and read about it in the papers. Oh yeah, papers couldn’t cover anything if it was all in closed session. Still, why tell us what happened if you can’t respond to it ??????
Heck, the Runyard Park land swap started in closed session. Remember hearing about that ??
They talked about it under the guise it being a village land “sale”. Not really a sale but something to do with land. Not wanting to inform the public ahead of the board making a decision to “sell” a piece of property. They go into closed session all the time when they talk about “negotiations”.
This land swap should never been moved into closed session. It’s not a sale. Or is it ???
This could have started as a simple agenda item. A village resident wants to buy a piece of village land. Or do a swap. Either way, what would have been the harm in open session for the board to talk about it ? Then vote on if they think it should move forward, and then direct the plan commission to do what they do, make sure it’s allowed and legal.
That whole issue was a secret until it wasn’t. Or at least not overtly openly public.
Come to think about it, why should we allow this swap to happen at all ??
What if I wanted to buy that swamp land ??
Why not sell these cattails to the highest bidder ?? Only accessible by boat !!
Because the connecting owner will add otherwise untaxed “land” to the tax roll !!
That’s why ! Increases the tax base. Income to the village. Increases the value of their whole 8 acres !!! By rights, take away the pier and nothing changes or needs to change. That owner can still walk out and use the lake. They as taxpayers have every “right” to walk across the cattails and go fishing or swimming or whatever they want to do. Who says you can’t walk in cattails ?? This is all about a pier. That’s it. Think about it ? They want to increase their taxes just to be able to install a pier. Without the pier, none of that matters.
Back to public comments.
How else do you want residents to bring things to light ? Email ? Facebook ? Stand outside village hall talking to anyone who will stop to listen ?
True requiring public comments isn’t a law.
But it should be !!!
People can agree with the writer but that does not make it legal. Writer is wrong. Free speech is granted at a board meeting by the chair of that meeting. And retracted also by the chair.
You can leave the meeting and continue your free speech.
Free speech is NOT Granted.
You are referring to the “opportunity to speak”.
We are saying that once “allowed” to speak, the board cannot tell you what you can’t say. The chair cannot restrict what I say or stop me in mid sentence just because they don’t want to hear it.
This basically goes to the whole point of this story. If Rita had just allowed Kevin to speak that night, and random people didn’t complain to her about not allowing Kevin to speak, she very well might not have gone down this path.
She created this situation and is making it worse in trying to make it better.
Sorry Rita, you are not making this better.
Drop the whole topic. Withdraw the agenda item and just let anyone speak who shows up.
People who are repetitious will self police themselves and pull back once they have heard their own argument 5 times.
Set the time limit if you must, but nothing else.
And don’t quit. If you do they will just appoint Hopkins to replace you.
And nobody wants that !!!!
Great comment. We call that common sense. To restrict speech is a very dangerous path, to deny speech after all these years of having an open dialog is a disaster in the making. Like we see here. If the Attorney crafted that document, we should ask for his fee’s back. Also, Hopkins wouldn’t be appointed this early in the cycle, he would have to fight for that position, probably not be a fun experience. Many in the community don’t trust his hunger for controlling and bullying people. Madam President, stand strong, early in your 1st term you kick ass and took names, find that person again.
Robert’s Rules of Order allow for public discussion under specified time limits.
Achtung !!!
Wow. Really? Public Comment = Public Comment.
About the dumbest unnecessary policy ever, God help US. Poli is the only one with a backbone. How did Salem Lakes vote for all these Liberals? Salem used to be a conservative area. This administrator is a regular Liberal pipe piper.
The Village Attorney is the idiot to put this out there. The Board can approve if they choose (even though it’s against most constituents wishes).
PS, did I mention how awful the lawyer is??
In some municipalities in Racine County, public comment is limited to 2 minutes per person and the entire public comment portion cannot be longer than 30 minutes. The board doesn’t have a conversation with the citizens. The citizens say what’s on their mind and the board just listens and doesn’t answer.
Goodie for racine. Have u actually seen the agenda for salem lakes? Get back to us.
I did just look at it. The original public comment looks normal. The additional paperwork in the packet where it makes all of those bullet points, I believe are from Robert’s Rules of Order. I don’t think they would need to put all of that in there.
… 30 Minutes, 45 Minutes.
Who cares ?? This is about a lot more than just the time. The rules about speech are unconstitutional. Period
Comments are allowed, or not, by the chair of the board meeting.
You cannot escape that, try as you might.
No scorn, mock, jeer, or laugh at a meeting….too late – everyone is already doing that after reading this ill-thought-out and unconstitutional rule.
Rita the bully needs to go .
Public comment during board meetings is optional. Allowing them requires some level of management so that they do not take up valuable time for the other work before the board. 3 minutes per speaker, a time limit on public comments, and requiring respectful/productive comment is reasonable. The person elected or appointed to run the meeting is the one determining what is appropriate. If you want to see what inappropriate meeting management looks like, Google ‘Tiffany Henyard-Village of Dolton (IL)’.
Why did the Village need change? I’ve been to many meetings and watched more. I’ve seen zero evidence of a free for all public comments in Salem Lakes. In fact they always seem respectful. I do remember one fairly recently that some lady attacked 2 board members because they won the election, I suspect. She made herself look like a deranged lunatic, no need for a policy, her actions settle that.
Kevin, was there an article about the Daniel’s “was recently arrested for allegedly threatening residents who opposed Bucur publicly” incident?
Needs to be.
Not yet
What was the “new information” all i noticed different was you edited out the part about Rita and Mike Daniels…
Mr. Daniels will have his own story.
This ought to be interesting.I don’t even live in salem and i’m thinking it would be exciting just to watch the action!
Randall board also seems to enjoy avoiding accountability. They recently voted to eliminate the Ethics Board. WTF? Hopefully Salem has one.
Ethics boards are bs. If something is against the law, act within the judicial system. Otherwise it’s a bullying, favoritism issue. Randall created that to go after one of their board members because they didn’t like that she was elected.