(File Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SALEM LAKES, Wis. – Laughter, criticism of board members or staff, and even passionate dissent are no longer welcome at public meetings in Salem Lakes.
On Monday night, the Village Board voted 6–1 to enact a sweeping crackdown on public speech, adopting one of the most restrictive comment policies in the state. Dubbed by residents as the “Gestapo ordinance” or “Dictator ordinance,” the new rules strictly limit what citizens can say during public comment — and how they can say it.
Criticism deemed “inflammatory,” “derogatory,” or “defamatory” is now grounds for removal. But while the board has granted itself the power to determine what constitutes “defamation,” that term carries an intricate legal definition that typically requires a court to decide — not a panel of local officials with political motivations and personal alliances.
The only vote against the measure came from Trustee Pete Poli, one of the board’s remaining conservative voices and a vocal defender of public input. Trustees Angela Brooks, Dennis Faber, Ron Gandt, and Bill Hopkins — all liberal members — voted in favor, along with President Rita Bucur and Trustee Billy Barhyte.
Notably, the election of Angela Brooks earlier this year flipped the balance of the board to a liberal majority — a dramatic shift in a village that has historically leaned conservative. The change has been felt sharply, with many residents now accusing the board of abandoning transparency and accountability in favor of control and suppression.
Faber and Brooks went even further during the debate at the last meeting, advocating for additional restrictions that would have banned non-residents and members of the media from speaking at all. Neither responded to inquiries from Kenosha County Eye about their positions.
In a move that raised even more alarm, the board — with the sole exception of Poli — also insisted on including a warning in the ordinance that informs attendees they could be removed or even arrested if they laugh during the meeting or speak critically of board members or village staff. Civil libertarians say such a warning is not only chilling, but unconstitutional, as it threatens residents with criminal penalties for protected speech.
Village Attorney Remzy Bitar acknowledged enforcement of such a subjective policy would be difficult, but said he would be present at meetings to guide the board president on which comments should be allowed and which should be shut down. Critics argue that this only reinforces the ordinance’s vagueness and potential for abuse.
The board’s decision comes amid a storm of controversy tied to Village Administrator Cassandra Hiller, who has been accused of repeatedly taking action without board approval.
Among the unresolved issues:
- The DNR Wetlands Violation – In May, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a formal notice of noncompliance after a trail was illegally built through protected wetlands behind Village Hall without the required permits. The violation remains unresolved.
- The Landscaping Scandal – A lucrative grass-cutting contract was awarded to an Illinois-based firm whose business development executive lives next door to Hiller. Several Wisconsin-based companies were allegedly overlooked. Both Bucur and Hiller ignored requests for comment.
- The Land Swap Deal – Later in the meeting, the board voted 4–3 down party lines to approve a controversial land swap that gave a wealthy homeowner a strip of shoreline previously owned by the public. The transfer transformed the property from lakeview to lakefront, significantly increasing its value — and cutting off public access to the lake. Residents protested the deal in person and via email, to no avail.
Hiller is alleged to have family ties to the homeowner. Hiller did not respond to inquiries.
What started as growing frustration over the village administrator’s unchecked power has turned into something larger — a full-blown crisis of governance. Rather than investigate the administrator’s actions or pause controversial decisions, the board instead moved to silence the public and limit transparency.
Monday night’s vote confirmed what many in Salem Lakes have come to fear: the board isn’t just ignoring criticism — it’s outlawing it.
79 Responses
Typical liberals: everyone had the right to an opinion as long as it agrees with theirs. What a bunch of asshats.
Kind of sounds like what Trump is doing too…
Examples of how Trump is doing something comparable to this?
https://youtu.be/o1mb5O6TH70
TMJ Wetland Story.
Good news story on Salem Lakes wetland debacle.
Nice job Mr. JACOBS, too bad there wasn’t more people who cared. The news reporter did a good job from TMJ-4.
WOW!!! No wonder they are trying to cover up this SShow.
The other day this comment was posted in the Salem Lakes community group before it was taken down:
**Important Information That Impacts You!**
Recently, new public comment rules have been instituted for village board meetings. One of the rules states: “Public comment should be respectful and avoid repetition, and it shall be free from personal attacks, defamation, or other derogatory or inflammatory remarks.”
At first glance, these rules might appear reasonable; however, upon closer scrutiny, they are far from it.
The famous economist Thomas Sowell once said, “The most basic question is not what is best, but who shall decide what is best.” This type of reasoning inspired our Founding Fathers to draft the First Amendment in the manner it is written.
Let me pose a question: Who decides what constitutes a “defamatory, derogatory, or inflammatory” comment? Some readers may say, “Well, that’s obvious.” But is it really obvious?
Over the past few weeks, there has been considerable news about the wetland scandal behind the village hall. It can be argued that Administrator Hiller misled the DNR agent. She claimed that the wetland behind the village hall—which was deemed to be illegally graded—was not graded by machinery. Photographs by West Jacobs clearly show that machinery was used, as does an image obtained by Kenosha County Eye showing a skid loader clearing a path through the wetland, appears to dispute her claim.
Now, let’s say someone were to claim that Administrator Hiller misled the DNR during a public comment. There are board members who are staunch supporters of Administrator Hiller, and while I am not saying they would, under these new speech rules they could label such a comment as “defamatory” or “inflammatory.” These new rules have, in effect, opened Pandora’s box and paved the way for potential petty local tyranny that could stifle free speech.
For those of you who do not like the example above, consider another scenario: Imagine someone sharing their political or religious beliefs in front of a room of 100 people. The likelihood that no one will be offended by anything they utter is practically zero. It is almost certain that someone would deem that individual’s comments as either defamatory, derogatory, or inflammatory. Do you see the issue now?
Government, in many ways, can be compared to cancer; governments tend to grow rather than shrink. However, our Founding Fathers viewed government as a necessary evil because people are not perfect. It is for this reason that governments must be held under pressure. Petty rules such as these only further encroach on our rights.
Speak up about this injustice at the next village board meeting. Do not allow your voice — or that of your fellow community members — to be stifled. We must take a stand now to stop further government overreach. I, for one, want both those who agree and those who disagree with me to have a voice in this village.
This post revived numerous likes and a large number of comments before it was taken down. In the comments people overwhelming said this was an abuse of power by the village. It is very likely that some of the board members read that post and voted yes on the new speech codes anyway. Today is a sad day in Salem Lakes! I guess the first amendment is null and void in Salem Lakes!
Can’t risk offending someone’s sensitive persona…. it may make them sad!
They love to shut the ones up and down who voted them in. Dont forget where you came from….. this is giving me Bristol vibes!!!
Wow!!! This screams lawsuit!! Totally unconstitutional and says a lot about these board members. Im not sure WHO they all think they are or how they think they are better than most. I sure hope people dont take this lying down. This is utterly disgusting!
Deport the whole board!!!
Really?? Are any of them eligible for deportation?
This land swap raises serious concerns. Curiously, the board discussed the matter in a closed session—one that was not listed on the agenda. The Administrator informally polled board members on how to proceed, and although Mr. Hopkins insisted this was not a formal vote, any collective survey of board members in attendance functions as a vote, a fact even the Administrator acknowledged. The secrecy surrounding these discussions suggests a troubling pattern, one that only came to light last night. Thankfully, Poli has demonstrated integrity in the process.
During last night’s meeting, the board voted on a different half-acre parcel than what had been approved by the Plan Commission. The Administrator altered the designated lot due to a lack of understanding of what constitutes a non-conforming property—her priority seemed to be completing the transaction rather than ensuring compliance, leaving the Village to sort out the consequences afterward. Commissioner Phillips pointed this out, and the commission agreed that if the lot remained conforming, they could proceed with the revised parcel, potentially preserving space for amenities like a pickleball court. However, the land division ultimately resulted in a non-conforming lot, requiring the plan to be abandoned. Instead of following due process, the Administrator hastily substituted another half-acre parcel—one that was inconsistent with the Plan Commission’s decision. The newly proposed parcel is categorized as C-2, heavily wooded, and adjacent to a wetland. In effect, the originally planned half-acre, which had usable frontage and open space, was replaced with a back lot that likely serves no practical purpose for the Village.
Public opposition to this swap was overwhelming. While no one spoke in favor of the deal, a petition with hundreds of signatures reportedly opposed it, and numerous residents voiced their concerns at the meeting. The most pressing question remains: why was this approved? Time and again, the Administrator has demonstrated a willingness to manipulate facts to pursue her objectives. Meanwhile, Hopkins and Brooks seem to operate in lockstep with Hiller, orchestrating these proceedings as though performing a staged production. The future of this board remains uncertain, but the direction it is heading is deeply disappointing. Those of us from the lake community had once placed our trust in Faber, but he has reverted to old habits. As for Cassandra—once an advocate, she has revealed a disregard for strong-willed women, making it clear she no longer deserves my support.
Illegal pier+ illegal chemical permit+illegal harvesting permit+no lake front taxes for 19 years = free lake front
Why are we giving lake frontage away?? Something is fishy here!
This board is clueless for letting this reckless Administrator run wild. She doesn’t care about this Village at all. Honestly, she’d be better suited working for a wetlands-clearing company—she’s got the skills, but they’re being wasted here.
The Village board has turned into the Libby Express!
Not all but most.
Where do I start?
I’ve been to meetings out there where truly unacceptable behavior came from the audience — catcalls, interrupting speakers, etc.
The board has some discretion with respect to citizen comments. Except for mandatory public hearings, they can dispense with them altogether. They can also impose time limits. They don’t need a “decorum” policy. The chair of any meeting has inherent authority to ensure that decorum is maintained, period. But there is a careful line to be drawn between comments that are out of line or those that are uncomfortably critical.
John P. Steinbrink, sr., the recently retired village president in Pleasant Prairie, may be criticized for many things but in all the years he was there he ran a fair meeting. There was a signup sheet but when they were done with the people on the list Steinbrink would open the floor to anyone who hadn’t signed up. There was a five minute limit which was reduced to three minutes if there were too many people signed up. And he stood there and “took it” when people flamed him though he would warn people if they became disorderly. If the maligned Steinbrink can run a fair meeting, what’s wrong with Salem Lakes? You can do it without being the “gestapo.”
…. Must ask ourselves, who is going to step up and run against the next round of seats ??
Next primary election is just 8 months away !!!!
Hopkins, Faber, Gandt and Poli are up.
Poli is a lock for most of us. Faber said last year this was his last term but there are rumblings he may run again. Except for this issue he’s always a shoe in. Maybe not anymore.
That leaves Hopkins and Gandt.
It’s obvious Hopkins will run again.
Gandt ? Who knows.
But what we do know is that something has to change ! But it will only change if people Step Up !!!
So who among us is willing to throw their hat in and start campaigning ??
Start by showing up at every meeting starting Now !
Always sign up for comments and state your positions on every topic available. Tell us how you feel and what about what the board is doing you would do different !
Make your face and views known now !
Only then will the rest of us know we have another choice !
And at a meeting, talk to others there. Put your name to the words. Be ready for deecemember where u need to fill papers
Does anyone remember laughter ?
This whole issue only needs a “verified complaint” from a Salem Lakes resident-citizen to the Wisconsin Attorney General asking for an opinion as to the constitutionality of the ordinance. They can officially rule on this.
The current Wi AG is a complete lunatic as well …….
Poli is good for two. Gandt better buy more cards, he’ll need them for himself.
I give Poli an A+ and Barhyte a C , Faber a D-. the Rest of them there isn’t a low enough grade, so F———————-fail.
It’s time for the P&Z board to conduct a thorough investigation into the C-1 violation behind Village Hall, as the current board appears unwilling or unable to address the matter. In an ironic twist, if the information is accurate, Hiller reportedly filed a DNR complaint against the fair last summer, at the very same time she was clearing wetlands herself for the same violation. The irony is striking, and if true, it’s a sharp reminder that consequences have a way of circling back.
For as important as this is, now was, the Honakers should have hosted a Saturday afternoon barbecue with all board members including planning and parks commissions to spend the afternoon walking, looking and figuring out all these pros and cons.
Or the parks commission could have hosted it in the actual park under the pavilion.
Public notice it as a full board meeting for the village board, planning commission and the parks commission.
State that it was only an informational meeting and NO Decisions would be made at that gathering.
Everybody talk to everybody.
Including full access and input by any Salem residents that want to attend.
Imagine the clarifications that everyone would have had and seen ?!?!
Heck even Rita said she should have walked all this property before voting on it.
Here’s a last ditch effort.
Hold an immediate special meeting to rescind that 4 to 3 vote. Have the 10 am to 2 pm barbecue on any coming Saturday and start the whole process over.
If nothing changes, all the money spent is still valid. If however things change, then the money spent by the Honakers at the direction of the board and administration can be refunded out of the park’s budget.
As slow of a process that this was, it was rushed through at the end after being slow walked through the plan commission. Not their fault by the way.
And don’t even get me started on the change of the land to be swapped.
Rita, you said to Kevin you are a weak leader.
Here’s a chance to step up, be strong and admit that this land swap was at best, wrong and at worst, probably illegal.
Call for a redo. It ain’t over until the ink is dry on the paperwork. Call Cassandra today and tell her to stop with the paperwork !!!!
And start over
Rita Bucar moving the agenda item presidents comments after public comments was designed to prevent a response.
Rita is exhibiting significant victim hood behavior, which is not conservative values.
In Rita’s last two meetings presidents comments included clear wimpering. The last meeting she did a half-ass public apology to Kevin and threw in an excuse (defeats apolology [sic:pun intended]) but for her health crisis.
From here on the Salem Lakes Board needs to become a limited government and stop lecturing the people what they need!
Follow the law, not the lawyer!
Eliminate the administrator position, eliminate the town attorney position (who by the way through his awful guidance reaps the rewards of conflict through billing practices)
Don’t California Salem Lakes!
As bad as the old board was with businesses this new board is bad with people.
They ignore, or are ignorant, of the restrictions detainled in the constitution
Once The Pres, gave up, the old vultures pounced again. They say the Administrator has been so good for SL? Wow, Ok be quiet. Dumpster fire.
Strategic plan? You dumb Hillbillies best understand what the results of that will be. What the Administrator wants it will be, at taxpayers expense. The last thing the Administrator wants is the EDC. That’s why Rita wanted to chair that group to do what the Administrator wants, that’s how things get done in Illinois, you are all suckers.
… Strategic planing is for underlings to have a plan to look at when they need to make a decision.
Need to make a decision ? Look at the plan. See if what you’re deciding was already talked about.
If so follow whatever it says. No need to talk to the boss or board.
Just do it !
This is about controlling both the board and the public narrative. The Village has already spent close to half a million dollars on studies and plans, only to be told that even more funding is needed. The Administrator’s remark should resonate: Maybe you don’t want development. Then why spend the money?
That’s precisely what the EDC was addressing, working with members of our community who genuinely seemed to have its best interests at heart—something this board, for the most part, clearly lacks. Make no mistake: high-density development is on the horizon. If this Board and the Administrator continue unchecked, it’s only a matter of time. The Administrator has already discovered ways to bypass the P&Z, and the comment about Crap Land?
For anybody with a passing understanding of first amendment law, much less anybody who is an attorney, such an ordinance is blatantly impactantly unconstitutional. Not only is this something that has been dealt with by courts in multiple jurisdictions, it is fundamental first amendment law. There are numerous boards in just the last 2 years who have faced similar lawsuits for the exact same things and each time they have lost.
https://www.thefire.org/research-learn/first-amendment-protections-public-comment-government-meetings
Good information at the link you provided.
Everyone here should click on this link and read the court case decisions that reinforce our rights to speak whatever we want.
Each board member needs to open this up and read every word.
Then think twice before they try to stymie any speaker. You are opening the village to a lawsuit. Which is just hurting ourselves.
So glad we moved out of that Peyton Place town where everybody knows your name and will threaten you if you speak against anyone! What an evil group
You get the government you vote for. Congratulations.
Get rid of the modesty screen where they sit, and write into the ordinance that it is criminal to have your head up your ass. The audience will be able to monitor adherence to that new ordinance.
What if I’m really gassy
As I have repeatedly said in the past., the Administrator screwed the county she worked for before and now she is doing the same to SL. The board went from bad to worse and the Fire Chief is a puppet to the Administrator. Wake up SL. Get involved and start chopping away at the leadership here. They will destroy the Village and run it broke. That’s what happened to Silver Lake and Salem bailed them out by consolidating. Who is going to bail Salem Lakes out???
They seem to have lots of money.
Paying cash for a Fire Truck the they don’t have a garage for.
Plans to build homes all over the place. A thousand or more ?? More than their sewers can take. More than Salem schools may be able to handle.
Interesting Times Ahead
Dont forget the 300k front end loader they want. I must say, I appreciate Barhyte for trying to put the kibosh on that wasteful spending.
Let’s not forget all the money they lost after loosing EMS Services from Paddock Lake. Is Twin Lakes, Randall and Wheatland going to follow through with SL for EMS services there? They can’t take care of their own area, how are they going to cover yours?
This board is spending more money on study’s for outsiders to tell us what we don’t want. I thought the Economic Development Committee was going to do that on the cheap. This board is addicted to spending money on things we don’t want or need. They should change the name to Smuck Lakes EST. 2025.
This is the first I’ve heard of the landscaping issue- wtf
The land swap was done for a friend of Hopkins. He should not be showing favoritism and disregarding all the public dissent!
Who else does he have favors to do for. Unbelievable that the trustees gave away public wetlands to a friend. Village administrator
did not know how to say “wetlands”, she kept using the word “cattails!”
The increase and added value to the property both in dollars and desire is almost immeasurable.
But I’m sure a real estate appraiser could have come up with a $$ number.
Should have told them to buy it outright and be done.
Maybe a price equivalent to the cost of a new ambulance. Even I would have voted for that.
I would have thought that a board member that is friends with the person who gains in the land swap would have required that board member to abstain from the vote?????
Especially if it involves a financial gain for his buddy.
Sounds like it is time for a Justice dept. investigation and not Evers JD
Did they approve the pedos residency appeal request to live too close to a public beach?
… Punted the ball to the next board meeting date at 5 o’clock
Time for a little fun. Who will play the Characters in the Netflix Mini Series? Probably be a hit.
Hiller-Rosamund Pike
Bucur-
Poli-
Hopkins- Anthony Hopkins
Faber-
Gandt-
Barhyte-Christopher McDonald
Brooks-
Old Board Members and Staff
DNR Wetland Agent
Is Billy Barhyte smoking a cigarette in that photo?
Don’t laugh if he is
U don’t know barhyte, do you?
Had high hopes for Rita. Disillusioned
I still don’t understand how she turned so quickly from a hero to a villain. She was touted as the person who would save Salem Lakes.
Gandt- Biden
Hopkins- Danny Devito Danny is a little too funny, but a great actor
Hiller- Kathy Bates
Bucur- Kate Beckinsale
VOTE THEM OUT!!!
Its hilarious to read comments on fb from the previously ousted corrupt board members about how corrupt the current board is. Hi pot, meet kettle. Sad to see Salem Lakes go downhill like this. So much promise, but not sure how they can rise from this garbage. Clearly there is no leadership or oversight, and hasn’t been for years.
Salem Lakes is the new Pleasant Prairie
Not even close. For all its issues, PP has always had professional administrators. Some folks may not agree with what they’ve done but they were competent.
Why does anyone want these positions? I mean seriously. Why introduce this drama into your life? What a thankless mess.
Power!!!
I get that. But for christ sake, president of Salem lakes? That’s power to them?
That’s like bragging about being assistant manager at Dollar Tree.
Wow!! Our village is in a downward out of control spiral fast !!
Village board continues to struggle on how to make motions in open meetings.
Fire department has difficulty meeting staffing requirements for calls to our residents plus loosing contracts for surrounding areas.
The Runyard Park scandal is the icing on the cake !! Mr Runyard must be flipping in his grave for donating this parcel for the future residents and visitors to enjoy.
Now our Administrator and Board is doing a land swap with one of their friends. The Runyard property should be left alone and not changed one bit.
Is the board going to give every resident that owns property next to a park extra land ?
The Village hall wetland fiasco is just jaw dropping from the administrator down to public works employees. Cattails are a visual clear sign of some type of wetlands and should have been checked before work began. Very simple procedure to look into.
Many of us had high hopes for the board that replaced Diane and Company. For the first year all went well. However SL is not well down the Slippery Slope of government overreach and ineffective in ensuring that citizens come first.
Consider:
1. Administrator Hiller is adding office staff at an alarming rate instead of hiring firefighters, EMS or Public Works. She forgets she working for a village not a state.
2. Hillier lied (it was recorded) to the DNR Warden more than once. Why is she still employed?
3. Hiller has thrown Brad and his employees under the bus to save herself. These people make our village run, but she shows little to no respect for them.
4. This board, with a few exceptions, ignores their committees and commissions and passes whatever the hell they want. Why have them?
5. Why in the world is the attorney allowing so darn many closed sessions, shielding the board from scrutiny and hiding facts from the public?
6. Rita has lost focus and leadership skills. She needs to find her old self.
It goes on, and on and on.
The old board is howling with laughter—this is the mess their successors have created. Every single member of the Village Board knows exactly who is responsible for the chaos, yet they refuse to acknowledge it. Say the name—Hiller. That’s the source of this dysfunction. And instead of cutting ties, they cling to her failures like a badge of honor, willing to go down in flames rather than exercise basic self-preservation.
Let’s be clear—Faber, Hopkins, and Gandt have no path forward. They cannot win. What could they possibly campaign on? Gross incompetence? If not for Poli and Barhyte, there would be zero hope for this board. The choice is simple—change direction or step aside. The Village deserves leadership capable of making hard decisions for the taxpayers, not a parade of fragile egos. And with every blunder, every reckless move, this board only breeds more opposition. They’re not governing; they’re fueling an uprising.
Are you ready to throw you hat into the ring?
Zeke Jackson or Bust- Salem chooses BUST
That about sums it up. Nice read. Honesty is the hardest word in this Village.
Concerning the land swap fiasco, P&Z should have voted this down but didn’t, Chairman wanted to be everyone’s friend. Parks should have taken this issue on, but the chairman only does what he is told by Cassandra. There are many comments in this string suggesting that someone needs to get involved…. How about those who ARE involved? The land swap resolution passed because too many people who had the opportunity to act did not act! You people are on your boards to DO the right thing. There are many failures here….People in lead positions must be willing to take the tough stand!
HIRE SOMEBODY FROOM ILLIONOIS THIS WHAT YOU GET
Let’s move forward and start looking for qualified replacements who are after the best interest of our Village and are qualified and educated in the workings of a Village. Let’s look for a Administrator, President and Fire Chief to start. They need to go.