(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SALEM LAKES, Wis. — Many people move away from cities like Kenosha and into rural communities like Salem Lakes because they want more room, fewer restrictions, and the ability to enjoy their property. An RV parked near the house, a UTV, a four-wheeler, a dirt bike, farm equipment, trailers, or other items that may draw scrutiny in a city environment have long been part of rural living. That could soon change, however, if a sweeping change supported by members of the new liberal majority on the Salem Lakes Village Board moves forward.
At Tuesday night’s Village Board meeting, Village President Rita Bucur (D) signaled her desire to roll back major code enforcement reforms passed after the 2023 election — reforms that were created after hundreds of frustrated residents packed meetings month after month demanding change.
For years, including before the 2017 creation of the Village of Salem Lakes when the area consisted of separate towns, code enforcement was largely complaint-based. If a resident believed a neighbor was violating property maintenance rules, they were required to submit a complaint and identify themselves. Inspectors did not simply patrol neighborhoods looking for violations.
That changed under prior leadership, according to many residents and business owners, when aggressive enforcement led to widespread anger. Residents accused village inspectors of going rogue, issuing violation notices throughout the community and creating a culture where residents felt targeted by their own local government.
The frustration boiled over politically in 2023 when voters overwhelmingly rejected the direction of village leadership. Four incumbents were defeated overnight, ushering in a new board majority that promised reform and a different approach to local government.
(Cell Phone Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The newly elected board later passed sweeping code enforcement changes that reined in the authority of inspectors. The reforms moved Salem Lakes back toward a complaint-driven model, requiring accountability from those filing complaints and placing limits on inspectors proactively searching for violations.
The changes gained widespread support from residents and business owners who argued that government employees should not be driving around rural neighborhoods looking for reasons to cite taxpayers.
Now, just a few years later, those reforms may be on the chopping block.
Bucur told trustees she wanted to revisit the village’s code enforcement policies, opening the door to a return to active enforcement. Under active enforcement, village inspectors could drive throughout Salem Lakes, identify potential violations themselves, and initiate enforcement action without a resident complaint.
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Trustees Amanda Procknow (D) and Dennis Faber (D) quickly signaled support for the sweeping change. Both trustees are part of the board’s new liberal majority. Trustee Angela Brooks (D), also part of the liberal majority, was absent from the meeting.
Trustee Bill Barhyte and Trustee Peter Poli strongly opposed rolling back the reforms, arguing against returning to the type of enforcement that caused so much controversy in the past. Trustee James Woodke (D) made remarks during the discussion but did not clearly indicate whether he supported or opposed the proposal.
The discussion also raised possible legal questions. During the meeting, Bucur asked trustees to contact her privately about the proposal. Critics argue that request could create concerns under Wisconsin’s open meetings law, which prohibits government bodies from using a series of private communications to reach agreements or develop collective positions outside public view — a practice often referred to as a “walking quorum.”
No formal vote was taken Tuesday night, but the discussion signaled a major shift in direction for Salem Lakes.
For residents who celebrated the 2023 election as a turning point away from aggressive government enforcement, the latest proposal could reopen one of the most contentious issues in the village’s short history.
Salem Lakes Village Board Contact Information:
Village President Rita Bucur
[email protected]
Trustee Bill Barhyte
[email protected]
Trustee Peter Poli
[email protected]
Trustee Amanda Procknow
[email protected]
Trustee Dennis Faber
[email protected]
Trustee James Woodke
[email protected]
Trustee Angela Brooks
[email protected]
48 Responses
They got what they voted for.
Time for some to physically move.
Or, get some conservative friends to run and win and make quick changes .
Welcome to Drama Lakes. From Airbnb to property maintenance, what could be next? I can’t wait.
Many of the old board called it aggressive government enforcement. Anyone on the other side of John Carrier called it aggressive government overreach. Two totally different things! There are 50+ horror stories that I know about in the village. Experiences no resident should go through! He is a very power hungry individual. If the leash is removed he will wreak havoc again on this village. It absolutely blows my mind that after what he did with Carlos and his $250k fine threat that was caught on recording, he still has a job in the village! That situation got blown out of proportion! And John was successful in getting Carlos to turn on fellow residents by filling complaints against multiple residents causing them major issues. This goes to show how the majority of this new board thinks. Just when the bad articles have simmered down and the village is just starting to seem more like a small rural village, happy and content, they go and bring this bomb out. Time to start the soap opera again? Is it theatrical drama? Or just ignorance?? I believe it’s a lot of divisive politics with a bunch of ignorance. I guess we need to fill that town hall again! Citizens comments can be story time to remind them of the past. Kevin can write stories every couple of days! How many residents would like to see this village function in harmony? Like twin lakes, Bristol, Burlington, paddock lake, and Antioch! This isn’t the kardashians reality tv! This is a village with unbelievable potential for harmony!
I thought that the meetings now restricted citizens comments?
Still corrupt as ever silver lake
Be real. A violation is a violation regardless of how it comes to the attention of the inspectors. Enforcement should be fair, realistic and use common sense and also not be politically inspired.
The problem is, who decides the violation? This is nuts, they want to rip this scab off again.
I can’t wait for a drone to fly over your house 😉
City of Kenosha needs to enforce property violations.
The Village has a policy- just follow it and the problem is solved. Stop creating drama and piling up legal bills. The current policy works fine; if there’s a real issue, contact a trustee or president to file a complaint for them. Simple and effective. Ask Mr. Gandt- that was his main role as a trustee. We pay these people for a reason, right? 15-9k thousand a year isn’t nothing.
Can the Village focus on real issues instead of constantly stirring things up that only matter to a few.
Keep in mind that active enforcement will open the floodgates of anger because it will become political. Most properties have violations, but friends of politicians will be exempt from oversight. Just stop, the current policy works.
Keep in mind these Politicians are spending your tax dollars, wake up.
Bunch of sexless divas getting off on authority
Girl Bosses and Soy-Boy toadies who want to feel important and will do as those who praise them desire—-which is usually someone involved in real estate development.
The latest BIG money maker is high density housing built with tax incentives to include low income Section 8 units along with shifts in zoning to lock up large tracts for data centers——all of which takes cooperation of village/town/city officials.
Are you saying Salem Lakes is F**KED. Sounds like the change government people should try again, first round sucked.
Karen’s on golf carts……….be afraid.
…. you call in a concern or what you think is a violation and the village sent someone out to look at it. If it was then it was dealt with.
That worked. Then people wanted to know who called on them. Fair enough.
But to just give Carrier cart blanch to go hog wild is wrong. Especially if he’s not sure what’s good or not.
Bottom line, elections have consequences
Yep, y’all will have to remove 3 of the 20 junk trucks in your yard.
(Maybe clean up the eye sores…. the bumper from 1985…. the fence that fell over 3 years ago….. mow the lawn a few times per year….be a bit civilized.)
Somers does that same shit.
Somers does that same shit. Drive around looking for violations
Followed by sloppy notes, letters, violation notices and threats from the barely literate building inspector. $75 K a year to roll around in a truck spying, photographing and harassing people. There are a number of residents preparing to take this on. Meanwhile, it’s business as usual in Somers – approvals to throw up shitty looking apartments, bulldozing ag land and golf courses to throw up rapid build subdivisions, threatening its own citizens with non-responsive emergency services for not approving their tax hike, and DPW employees cruising around running personal errands on the public dime. Have you driven down E through “downtown” lately? Maybe the building inspector should start there with his photography habit.
Stay on topic – Salem Lakes.
Ps Somers has bigger problems to attend to.
Sounds like the village coffer is running a little low and they need a quick infusion of cash. Easiest way to do that is through code enforcement fines.
Salem Lakes people should move back to the city of Kenosha where it’s safe from such tyranny. You can let your grass grow, allow trees and bushes to grow wild, run sump pump water into the street and let your house fall apart. This might be the place for you, just look around town. Not unlike public mandates, codes and ordinances are merely suggestions.
These people live in the rural area, most. They have yards and acres in most cases. Salem lakes is nothing like Kenosha. I get your point.
Interesting this is being brought up just before budget talks, just to save Carriers job. These people are sick.
SMH.
Is it just me thinking this? Or does every time the village of Salem Lakes dig themselves out of a hole (such as Administrator Cassandra) and generate some positive news (such as the multi-jurisdictional Road Consortium), Rita and her not too bright followers find a way to to begin yet another new controversy and start a whole new sh1tstorm? No common sense what so ever. Can’t she just listen to the residents who don’t want big, ineffective, uncaring, and powerful village government intruding on their lives?
It may be past time to replace her and at least half that do nothing board.
Which brings me to trustee “Absent Angela” (Brooks). If anyone sees her please report the sighting to local police to clear the missing person report. Why run for office when you can’t or won’t attend meetings?
LISTEN UP village board, we are watching you!
Brooks is not a representative of the community, she clearly doesn’t have time to be a trustee. There will be an opening next year, she obviously not an option.
She doesn’t even live in the state!
So we can file charges on her.
If she doesn’t actually live here then she has committed a crime.
Asking to see her tax returns is one way. Not to see her income but to see which state she filed in.
But even that could be bogus.
If you have proof send it to Kevin.
A crime is a crime
Where did she live when she filed nomination papers? That is the location that counts.
Remzy will be looking for his next home after this legal battle.
I love that some thought moving out west would get them away from the liberal idiots
Some of the trustees have raised hypothetical scenarios, such as, “What if we show up to investigate a complaint and discover additional ordinance violations that weren’t reported?”
The solution is simple: enforce the reported ordinance violation, if warranted. If a neighbor wants to file complaints about additional violations after something like overgrown grass has been reported, they can do so separately.
“Active enforcement” is just a politically correct way of saying, “fucking with property owners for no good reason.” Is Salem going to hire an ordinance Gestapo unit to walk around with tape measures checking grass heights while they’re at it? Maybe they should start searching people’s homes to make sure they aren’t hiding ordinance violations under the floorboards.
News flash: a lot of people choose to live here because they don’t have to deal with HOA tyrants who have a hard-on for control.
This is Salem, Wisconsin. Nobody wants the cancer that is Illinois-style bureaucracy to metastasize into Salem Lakes. We’re a town of rednecks and hicks who just want to be left alone.
Remember a few years ago when voters threw trustees out of office because they didn’t know how to leave people alone? Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Thank God there are a few trustees on the board that realize active enforcement is a losers game!
The yard,the building,let’s take a look inside!
Everyone knows Amanda is just a mouthpiece for Hopkins, remember the flock camara’s Hopkins wanted pointed in your window. Remember who pushed back? (Poli) Just wait Procknow, and Faber will try to police the Village to death. Welcome to the Police State, liberalism is a disease, it spreads like a virus.
I thought they got rid of Rita the Curr.
I’m of two minds on this, we all want our freedom to do as we wish with our property. However, if your neighbors property is in disrepair or looks like an old farm machinery grave yard it reflects on your property value. On the other hand, authority heavy and or corrupt code officials and administration can make more relaxed country living a nightmare. The administration and concerned citizens need to sit down and have a binding discussion on what is acceptable code enforcement and which would be considered over reach. There should be an independent minimal cost appeal process.
In the end you got what you voted for. Those who sat on their asses and didn’t vote as well as those who didn’t ask hard questions to pin down how the candidates felt on important issues and just voted for the name, party or on friends advice all share a part in this. Elections, no matter how small can make a big difference in your life.
PURPOSE
The Village of Salem Lakes has many codes, such as zoning codes, building codes, fire codes and other health and safety codes, that are designed to maintain a healthy, safe and clean environment, carry out land use policy and preserve the quality-of-life standards that residents and businesses enjoy in our community.
Code enforcement is a responsibility shared by everyone in our community, not just Village departments. To be effective and efficient, code enforcement needs the cooperation of residents and businesses.
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to the Village Board, Administrator, Village Staff and citizens of the Village of Salem Lakes for processing and filing code enforcement complaints. The Village strives to maintain quality of services and to improve relationships by and between Village residents, Village Board members, and Village staff.
POLICY
It is the policy of the Village to accept and investigate written complaints as described in this policy and to assure compliance in accordance with Village Code of Ordinances and Wisconsin law. Compliance with the law serves the Village of Salem Lake’s compelling interest to promote, protect and improve the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and businesses of the Village.
This policy applies to all Village of Salem Lakes departments, divisions, offices, boards, commissions, committees, Village employees and Village citizens.
FILING A COMPLAINT, THE COMPLAINT FORM AND COMPLAINANT
1. It is necessary for the complainant to fill out a Complaint Form, which is available on the Village’s website or may be provided by any Village staff member. Complaints will not be considered if the form is not completed and signed. Unsubstantiated complaints such as anonymous phone calls or e-mails will warrant no action by the Administrator, Property Maintenance Officer, Village Board or staff.
2. All complaints must be done in writing, and contain the complainant’s name, telephone number, email and physical street address. The complaint form must also include a description of the complaint and be signed and dated by the individual filing the complaint.
3. If the complaint is submitted electronically through the Village website, an electronic acknowledgement will be sent from the Village to the email address of the complainant.
4. Once a complaint is received, the Village Administrator or his or her designee, or the Property Maintenance Officer must also sign and date the complaint form as received. The original completed complaint form will be filed at the Village Hall.
5. If a response to the complaint is requested by the complainant, the Village will provide that response via email or written response via US mail.
6. Complaints may only be made by residents, property owners, and/or business owners within the Village of Salem Lakes, and must be within 750’ feet of the property with the alleged violation(s).
7. Complaints may also be made by a Village Board Trustee or County Supervisor. Trustee or Supervisor initiated complaints shall be treated the same as residents and must follow the same procedure for submittal and can be on any property within the Village of Salem Lakes and are not subject to the 750’ feet limitation.
8. Village staff are not to encourage complaints, help fill out complaint forms, or to collaborate, assist, or guide complainants through the complaint process. Staff may only provide the complaint form and a copy of the Code Enforcement Policy and Procedure.
9. Complaints must be reasonable, specific, and not unduly broad. It is important to recognize the difference between a complaint and a suggestion, observation, question, neighbor dispute, or simply a call pointing out a hazard or safety issue. Complaints as used in this policy refer to a complainant reporting a Village code is being violated that warrants inspection and warrants action from the Village including, but not limited to, requests to cure the violation, issuance of fines and forfeitures or other penalties, and pursuing legal proceedings in court.
10. The complaint form must provide the instructions on where to find the Village Code of Ordinances. This shall be in bold font. To reference any Village ordinances, CLICK HERE.
11. Complainant’s must be made aware that all written complaints are subject to Wisconsin’s Public Records Law and are open to public inspection. This shall be in bold font and highlighted in yellow on the complaint form.
12. If a complainant needs special assistance to file a complaint, they may call Village Hall and request reasonable accommodation. If any special assistance is given, this will be noted on the monthly report provided to the Village Board and will list the type of assistance given.
COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE PROCESS
1. All properly made complaints that allege violations of the Salem Lakes Property Maintenance Code or Zoning Code shall be considered and investigated by the Village for validity and resolution, and, when investigated, shall be limited only to the items and issues listed on the complaint.
2. Additional violations not listed in the original complaint may only be added if the Village’s Fire Chief determines they pose a danger to life, health or property.
3. The complaint is investigated by the Property Maintenance Officer. The first step involves an inspection conducted by the Property Maintenance Officer to verify a violation(s) exists. Such inspection will take place in a reasonable amount of time, no later than 30 days from receipt of the Complaint.
4. Any violations that are observed are photo documented and contact with the responsible party is attempted via in person contact or by phone. Such photo documentation will be taken from ground level from the street or other public grounds. The use of drones is not allowed unless written consent is given by the property owner in violation, or an inspection warrant has been granted by a court.
5. Matters not found to be substantiated as a violation of Village Code will be dismissed without further action. If contact information was provided, complainants will be notified of the Village’s decision not to pursue a complaint and for what reason.
6. If a complaint is substantiated, a property maintenance notice is issued in the form of a letter (hereafter, “notice”) to the responsible party stating that a complaint was received and the description of the complaint or the nature of the issue. The notice shall cite the ordinance(s) at issue and consequences to the party for noncompliance. The notice shall give the timeframe to abate, fix or cure the violation not less than 30 days after receipt of the notice (receipt is 3 days after mailing), unless the Code provides a different deadline to abate, fix or cure the violation. A suggested resolution is also included on the notice stating what must be done to become compliant with Village Code. A copy of the Code Enforcement Policy and Procedure and the Complaint Investigation and Response Process will also be included with the notice.
7. All communications will be documented and correspondence from the Village to a property owner, business owner, or resident will be in the form of a written letter sent via regular mail with an affidavit of service. If the notice is returned as undeliverable, reasonable efforts will be made to locate the responsible party. These efforts may include the notice being hand delivered by a Law Enforcement Officer or process server or posted at the property.
8. When the initial property maintenance notice expires, a follow up inspection is performed to check the status of compliance. If there has not been full compliance but there is improvement in the property and the responsible party is working toward compliance, an extension of the enforcement is issued by way of a second property maintenance notice. If the responsible party is uncooperative or has made no effort to comply, a Final Notice is issued.
9. If the responsible party continues to make substantial progress upon the follow-up inspection, an extension may be given, unless the item(s) involve(s) issue(s) posing a danger to life, health or property, as determined by the Fire Chief, as a discretionary
extension by the Village Board pursuant to the following procedure: a property owner may seek an additional extension not to exceed 60-days, unless extenuating circumstances exist for a longer extension, by appearing before the Village Board, and the Village Board may grant the same, upon the property owner showing evidence of substantial progress which reflects a good-faith effort to address the asserted violations and upon the Fire Chief providing their recommendation. As noted, this procedure for seeking a discretionary extension will not be applied to issues posing a danger to life, health or property.
10. If upon inspection during any extension it is found that progress has stopped, a Final Notice is issued that the code violations must be cured within the remaining time period granted with an explanation of the consequences for noncompliance including issuance of citations for prosecution in Municipal Court or commencement of civil enforcement action and the Village’s right to seek all costs, fines, forfeitures and other remedies as may be available by law.
11. When a Final Notice expires, an inspection is conducted. If violations remain, they are again photo documented. A Violation Summary Report is created, and a first offense citation is issued for all ordinances that remain in violation as noted on the final notice. The report includes a summary of efforts to obtain compliance and cites the ordinances that are in violation along with the suggested fines, forfeitures and bond amounts that may be sought from the Municipal Court or Circuit Court.
12. The appropriate municipal violation citations may be issued for each occurrence thereafter as allowed by law.
13. A Kenosha County Sheriff’s Deputy is requested to pick up the Violation Summary Report to issue the citations. The Deputy will write out and deliver the citations to the responsible party.
14. Compliance status updates are provided by the Property Maintenance Officer to the Village Attorney ahead of the issued court date. The Village Attorney will also attempt to gain compliance with the responsible party.
15. If the violations remain, the enforcement will be set for trial and the Property Maintenance Officer serves as the Village’s witness to the violations by providing testimony and evidence of the cited violations.
16. A follow-up inspection will be conducted after the trial if the responsible party was found guilty of the cited violations. A Notice of Continued Non-Compliance is issued to the responsible party if violations remain.
17. If the violations remain after the Notice of Continued Non-Compliance expires, another Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Violation Summary Report is created and the citation process repeats.
18. In lieu of the aforementioned proceedings in municipal court, the violations may be referred by the Village Attorney directly to the Village Board for consideration whether to commence a civil enforcement action in Circuit Court seeking all available remedies at law including equitable relief in the form of injunctions.
19. Once a citation is issued or civil enforcement action is commenced, the matter is deemed to be in court and will only be addressed by and between the Village Attorney and the involved party and/or the party’s legal representative. The Village Attorney will provide periodic updates to the Village Board as may be necessary.
20. If, within 12 months of the property coming into compliance, the property owner or resident of an adjoining or adjacent property, or Trustee or Supervisor, submits a complaint that the property once again exhibits the same exact violation(s), and upon the Village’s inspection finding the property in violation, the procedural steps above start over. A repeat offender notice is issued, and the Village may seek all remedies as available by law, including but not limited to, double fines.
We need to change this why? So, we can really break the backs of the residents. Salem Lakes is a place that feels chronically dysfunctional.
Here’s a news flash for these clueless politicians: Do you think messy properties hurt property values more than municipal instability? This chaotic village board causes far more damage than any messy yard ever could.
The problem is most people who are voting don’t know who has liberal or conservative views. The run hiding the views until they get into office. When people see there political signs out it doesn’t say either way.
When I run, you’ll know it bc all my sign will say is “I f*cking hate taxes, if you do too – vote for me”
Unfortunately, there’s not much pride of ownership anymore. On one hand, if messy people cause lower property values…….that also means lower property taxes. On the other hand, they hurt our resale value. I think all property should be taxed equally(or not taxed at all) regardless of property value . Are government services better if you pay more?
Not taxed at all is the answer. Consumption taxes are fair taxes. You consume a lot, you pay a lot. You don’t consume a lot, you don’t pay a lot. My property taxes are higher than my mortgage payment on my last home I purchased. Driving people out of their homes.
Somers is doing the same, acting like a HOA. Inspector walked up neighbors driveway to take a picture. I had a few minor ordinance violations, petty ones, while other neighbors yards look like junk yards. Yes I cleaned my shit up while others tried covering with tarps. And it was a small corner of backyard, rest of yard gets compliments from neighbors all the time
Democrats F up everything they touch or are involved in.
Whats next, a mosque?
A year from now, we will be hopefully looking at a new President in Salem. I’m hearing things.
Yeah sure, we are currently F**ked.
Where did she live when she filed nomination papers? That is the location that counts.