(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
Salem Lakes, Wis. — The Village of Salem Lakes’ top administrator is under scrutiny after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched an investigation into potential illegal wetland disturbances on municipal property. The property in question is zoned C1. Lowland Resource Conservancy (C1) zoning is intended to prevent the destruction of valuable natural resources, including wetlands, shorelands, and areas subject to flooding. This is among the most restrictive zoning in the County.
Cassandra Hiller, the Village Administrator, has retained a Milwaukee-based attorney known for handling employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and civil rights matters. This legal move comes in the wake of multiple complaints to the DNR regarding unpermitted excavation and tree removal behind Village Hall.
According to the DNR, no permits were issued for the project, which allegedly involved cutting trees and constructing a walking or biking path around a large lake adjacent to Village Hall. A source within Village government told Kenosha County Eye that Hiller ordered the work herself.
DNR officials have visited the site at least three times this week, conducting inspections tied to the complaints. KCE is told that an expensive piece of equipment got stuck in the pond and had to be removed by heavy equipment. All of the work was done without Village Board approval.
On Thursday, Village President Rita Bucur called an emergency board meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m., citing the need to consult legal counsel on a potential litigation matter. The agenda item referenced “recent complaints to DNR of wetland/pond violations by Village personnel and handling of same.” The meeting was closed to the public and lasted approximately 90 minutes, with Hiller absent.
After the closed session, two Village attorneys entered Hiller’s office, where her personal attorney was also present. Later, the entire Village Board met for an additional 90 minutes in a restricted area of Village Hall. Hiller remained in her office throughout and did not make any statements while KCE was on site. Board members also declined to comment following the meeting.
Hiller, a former Lake County, Illinois bureaucrat, has historically been responsive to KCE inquiries, but she declined to answer questions about the project. Her silence marks a stark contrast from her previous openness with local media.
Several current and former Village officials told KCE they are hoping Hiller steps down. One former employee resigned during a board meeting and delivered pointed criticism of Hiller’s leadership.
From the beginning of her tenure, Hiller’s hiring drew concern from residents and officials who questioned whether a Democrat from suburban Chicago was the right fit to lead a small, predominantly conservative Wisconsin community. Her critics now say those doubts have been validated.
As of press time, Hiller remains in her role as the Village’s top administrator. The DNR investigation is ongoing.
.
.
.
.
42 Responses
How does this board not know what’s happening in their back yard?
Because they’re all trash.
Anybody check for buried bodies?
****** ******* ******** ******* ******* ******* ********* ******. The newest female board member was courted by Hiller herself run last fall during a series of lunches. I don’t think the current Village Administrator is supposed to be recruiting individuals to run for elected positions in their municipality.
Check Bristol, same activities. Administrator runs and hand picks personnel.
Well well well…..🤣🤣🤣🤣🤪🤪🤪, those guys can call me I have the number to Army Corp of engineering and the DNR, not to mention a delineation report certified agent also. These are the people you need to contact not just the village administrator. The village has no( zero) jurisdiction when it comes to wetlands!!!! Ask Bristol administrator and board 😜.
Who is in charge over there? I thought Rita had this under control.
She called an emergency meeting to address it.
They better not pay her a dime when they cut her loose!
They already overshot their budget when they hired her! No one wanted her but Rita- literally no one.
Hiller proved everyone right.
Shouldn’t the board know about this from some budget plan and board meeting presentation. What about p&z board. Does whatever was done meet with what was planned for that spot? Did Mr wonderful dnr friend denni fabor know about this? Did he give an okay?
No internal promotions please and let’s get a Wisconsin person wot experience of lakes, river, rural and urban in their experience list.
Who’s Denni Fabor… do tell!!!!!😎
She didn’t ask for permission, she just ordered village employees to complete the work. That was explained in the article.
Exactly. The p & z board had no idea, that’s the IL way.
WTF who does she think she is??
If this is a c-1 or 2, has anyone from the County visited the site? My neighbor cleared some brush in his C district and was crucified for years. How much was cleared?
I told you so
Was this a training exercise in wetland destruction?
It has become increasingly clear that hiring Cassandra was not in the best interest of the community. The board has been aware of these concerns for some time. This is not the leadership or direction that the residents of Salem Lakes expected when they voted for change two years ago. It is time for the board to honor its commitment to the community and take decisive action to move in a more effective direction.
Email your elected officials and tell them to fire her immediately-
rbucur@voslwi.gov
bbarhyte@voslwi.org
dfaber@voslwi.org
rgandt@voslwi.org
whopkins@voslwi.org
ppoli@voslwi.org
& don’t forget Cassandra’s bestie abrooks@voslwi.org
If I remember correctly the board voted against the citizens choice, well enough said. The old board has already infected the new, some virus.
The Board also voted against the suggestions of the different committees chosen to help select the new Admin.
Allegedly, one of the businesses on 94 just got dinged with a 4 million dollar fine for the destruction of approximately 15,000 sq feet of wetlands,. this can be serious. What is a C district?
KCE is this a patch of dirt damaged or something else. I think that matters.
I’ve been there. I took photos. It looks bad.
Time for a cover-up! Think Kenosha County been out their yet? Bet not. They work for Salem Now, nothing to see here.
Has the County been notified? They didn’t have any problem F-in my neighbor. Nope they work for Salem Now.
This is what you get when senior management turns the reins over to jr management and lets them run wild with no reins. There has been many signs that hiller wasn’t fit for our community some not all of the board closed there eyes to the issues because hiller was doing the difficult work that they didn’t have to do because she was doing it. Wisconsin is an at will state and if what’s in this article is true then she should be immediately terminated or at least put on leave. Please board members don’t let the community regret voting you into your positions. It will be controversial for some but fast decisive action is needed. This village definitely doesn’t need more cancer at the town hall we need people to just do whats right for the village and maybe a brake from all this drama
How do we get her out if she’s non-elected? However we do, sign me up!
Well if she is getting an attorney she must know that she needs one.
What budget line item was this work charged to?
Did the board approve it?
The DNR has too much power. These politicians have too much power.
Who signs off on the stuff she does? You’re telling me no one else say this and didn’t question if it’s a good idea or not (or if it’s a good use of taxpayer money)? SMH
Just fire her already! Cassandra Hiller is an immoral, unethical, unscrupulous politician who will do and say whatever she wants to get her way. She is untrustworthy and if her mouth is moving…she’s lying. Make the right choice and let her go…it couldn’t happen to better person! Just look at the way she’s treated Village employees. Karma is a bitch.
Is she why Shannon left too?
It’s prob all for personal use too, all she does is spend her time taking trips and bicycling. Prob made her own personal bike trail to train on.
Way to waste my money on yourself. Go back to IL and quit ruining Salem.
I’m shocked in 2025 a Village official would enter a wetland and do this, no permit?, please KCE share pics.
If a resident did this, the state would own your property. Almost not believable
Secret meetings to hide this from the public. Wow
Every tree is important to me… when they cut a single tree down, insects die, birds die and lose their home, and so much more, and all for a walkway! This is shitty!
Well she should be removed especially if she doesn’t care for conservation!
You are not allowed to cut down vegetation in a wetland without a permit. There is no grey area there.
Executive Kerkman should visit site and see what her staff is overlooking. Can someone please post pics of this online somewhere?
Nothing yet in knews
Nothing yet in woti
Thanku kce
Maybe if she lived in Salem Lakes, she would be more concerned about how tax money is spent.
Or, wasted with attorney fees and time spent away from real village business.