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County panel to revisit Karger suspension

Nora G. Hertel
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

WAUSAU - The Marathon County Board's Executive Committee will review the suspension of County Administrator Brad Karger at a meeting Wednesday, document the terms of that punishment and consider whether to repeal it.

Meanwhile, one County Board member has accused Karger of bringing "terror" to county employees by participating in a peace march and compared his involvement to bringing the Ku Klux Klan to Wausau for a rally.

Marathon County Administrator Brad Karger.

Officials called a special meeting for 4 p.m. Wednesday. Before the meeting, Weston nurse Kue Her will present Marathon County Board Chairman Kurt Gibbs with a petition she started that now has 2,500-plus signatures showing support for Karger.

Karger is in trouble for his role in a May 31 peace march that called for racial justice and anti-bullying efforts and showed support for Dylan Yang, a teenager recently convicted as an adult of first-degree reckless homicide. Yang stabbed and killed 13-year-old Isaiah Powell in a February 2015 fight among two groups of boys.

RELATED: Death still fresh for Isaiah Powell's friends

Karger spoke at the demonstration and marched with protesters past the Wausau Police Department and the Marathon County Courthouse.

Karger began serving a 30-day suspension on July 25. He did not break any policies or rules, but the County Board can terminate the administrator for unsatisfactory conduct.

REPORT:Brad Karger aided march organizers

REPORT: Repeal, lawsuit possible in Karger suspension

Many County Board members wanted to fire Karger for his participation, saying he alienated the county's police. Some board members wanted no punishment. The suspension served as a compromise.

Kou Her

But there's a vocal group in the community who believes the County Board went too far. Her counted around 500 signatures from Marathon County when the total was 2,000 in the change.org petition, she said. Other organizers went out and collected more signatures in person, knocking on doors last weekend, Her said.

She's nervous to present the petition tomorrow, because she's never done any community organizing before.

"I'm hoping that we can come to some sort of conclusion and start moving forward together," Her said.

The Executive Committee meeting will cover a range of topics tied to Karger's suspension. Here's a summary of the agenda items:

  1. Review the County Board's decision to suspend Karger including a memo documenting the terms of his punishment and a legal analysis of the board's investigation and action.
  2. Consider appointing a spokesperson for media and other related queries.
  3. Consider choosing someone as a liaison with Karger about the disciplinary actions.
  4. Review a request from board members to reconsider the vote that suspended Karger and required him to make a statement and to develop a plan to mend relations with law enforcement throughout the county.

RELATED: County Admin Brad Karger suspended

EDITORIAL: Reverse county administrator suspension: Our View

Some County Board members have explained their votes to constituents via email or on Facebook. Board member Katie Rosenberg was one of 30 board members who supported the suspension, but she is pushing for a reconsideration of that vote.

County Board member Sherry Abitz's explanation for her vote has caused an additional stir among Karger supporters. Abitz wrote in an email to Wausau School Board member Mary Thao: "Mr. Karger brought terror to his employees that he is to represent. That is like I'm bringing the (Ku Klux Klan) to a rally and not knowing how the individuals will be affected."

Abitz also wrote that Karger represents the county at all times, even when he's off work. Marching past the Wausau Police Department was a "spit in their face per se because of the arrest (of) Dylan Yang," she wrote.

Sherry Abitz

Thao shared the email publicly, because it came from Abitz's county email address and is therefore part of the public record, she said.

"I think it's important for us to understand the type of leaders we have in our community," Thao said. "(Abitz) represents a district that is so diverse."

Abitz also is a member of the Wausau City Council. Mayor Robert Mielke, who also spoke at the peace rally but did not join the march, was quick to distance himself from Abitz's remarks. "Sherry's more than entitled to her opinion. But she does not speak for the city when she says stuff like that," Mielke said.

Abitz did not return an email seeking comment Tuesday and her phone rang without answer or voicemail.

Mary Thao

Thao said the email from Abitz humiliated her, especially the comparison of the march to the KKK, which is a secret society that promotes white supremacy and has a history of violence.

"That's very hurtful," Thao said. "My children were there at the peace march."

Thao and Her and other supporters will be at the courthouse at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday to deliver the petition just before the Executive Committee meets. Board members may move to closed session to discuss Karger's performance or potential litigation facing the county.

Karger has said he's considering a lawsuit and its potential ripple effects.

Nora G. Hertel: nora.hertel@gannettwisconsin.com and 715-845-0665; on Twitter @nghertel