The Common Council is cancelling summer events in public parks. More From the Washington County Insider:
All community events in West Bend Parks are cancelled for summer 2020.
On Monday, May 18, West Bend City Administrator Jay Shambeau presented a resolution to the Washington-Ozaukee County Public Health Department Blueprint for reopening Washington and Ozaukee Counties. The resolution passed on a 7-1 vote with Alderperson Mark Allen voting against. The Blueprint does not allow for community events, therefore, West Bend Biergarten, German Night and Regner Fest have all been cancelled for the summer of 2020.
And a bit more from the Washington County Daily News
The Common Council created a resolution stating that the city will follow guidance from the Washington Ozaukee County Public Health Department. This includes the Blueprint to Reopen and FAQ relating to the blueprint. The resolution encompasses future amendments and guidance to reopening services and activities.
In addition, the city will acquire all guidance from the health department in reviewing all permit and license applications, including special event permits, block closing, parade permits and temporary Class B beer license applications
So I think this means that they will be using their permit power to restrict businesses, but there isn’t any other enforcement. The Ozaukee Washington County Health Department says:
If you choose to reopen your business, you are not in violation of Safer at Home or orders issued by the health department. Under the direction of the Ozaukee County Board Chair, the Ozaukee County Administrator, and the Washington County Executive, the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department will issue no countywide orders limiting the public or businesses at this time in response to the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic in our counties. The health department will address any localized COVID-19 outbreaks on an individual basis and continue to provide follow up for positive cases and contact tracing. We urge you to refer to our Blueprint FAQ for recommendations on how to safely reopen our counties. Email covid19@washozwi.gov if you have any other questions.
What does all this mean? I’m not really sure. I think that the West Bend Common Council may revise permits with different compliance requirements in line with the Blueprint. Then, if a business violates the permit, they can pull the permit.
We’ll see how this is implemented in real life, but it is incredibly disappointing that the strong majority of the West Bend Common Council and the new mayor are looking to micromanage businesses. Where am I? Madison?
UPDATE: Here is a comment from the mayor:
No, the Council’s adoption of the County blueprint does not affect anything to do with private businesses. We also did not “cancel everything” throughout the Summer. This simply gave health guidance to our municipal organization as a whole. Splash pad will be open. Parks are open. We are looking at ways to hold fireworks (just as Kewaskum and Hartford are). We are working with non-profits to help them draft ways to hold events (like Germanfest). And, most importantly, as with every organization, this is an ever-evolving situation. We wouldn’t cancel events that are 2 months away, as who knows where things will be at by then.
Its a confusing mess.
I was told local health department wanted no more that 100 people gathering in parks at a time at Village Board meeting this last Monday, which seems contrary to some of Health Department statements here.
It’s a “blueprint” from bureaucratic purgatory.
That’s church picnics, among other things.
If the comments under the post below are any indication, this isn’t going over well in West Bend. The question is, will they do anything about it?
https://www.facebook.com/WashCntyInsider/posts/2708729622742655
This type of power is a politician/bureaucrat’s wet dream. Control in the name of public safety, picking winners and losers at the local level for the supposed greater good. And a law enforcement apparatus at their disposal to enforce their vision. Good times.
I expect when all of this is over, there will be an infinite number of stories of graft and corruption. Need that permit to be “essential?” My kid needs a job. Want approval for that emergency grant? An envelope with cash goes a long way. Asking for an exception to a that Covid rule? Need the cops to look the other way when you allow more people in your business?
This much centralized power and the flowing of trillions of dollars is a breeding ground for corruption.
Infinite stories of corruption and graft, trillions flowing around without oversight… And that’s just Trump, not even the trillions in play in 53090.
And then there’s the fall! Does this mean they won’t let you bow-hunt in city parks unless you pay a bribe?
jjf, in his trollish ways, does bring up a good point.
Will some Blue state governors ban hunting in the Fall?
I can see it happening in Illinois, New York, Michigan and California.
Interesting. Going to the WCInsider main page, right below the article about the Ending of Summer in WB is ….
“May 20, 2020 – West Bend, WI – West Bend will be hosting a Memorial Day program at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25. The event will be held at the Old Courthouse Plaza on Fifth Avenue and Poplar Street.”
Guess not.
(Actually, I would suggest all you ‘Benders show up in force. A big crowd of locals would nicely piss off those pussy councilerats and show them who really is da boss.)
Please let me clarify as this has been grossly misreported by the media.
No, the Council’s adoption of the County blueprint does not affect anything to do with private businesses. We also did not “cancel everything” throughout the Summer. This simply gave health guidance to our municipal organization as a whole. Splash pad will be open. Parks are open. We are looking at ways to hold fireworks (just as Kewaskum and Hartford are). We are working with non-profits to help them draft ways to hold events (like Germanfest). And, most importantly, as with every organization, this is an ever-evolving situation. We wouldn’t cancel events that are 2 months away, as who knows where things will be at by then.
The City will be issuing a press release to correct the record tomorrow, but I do not appreciate the media not running full stories and scaring the public like this.
Thank you,
Mayor Chris Jenkins
Thank you Mayor Jenkins for that excellent clarification.
Yep, that is an excellent clarification. I would very gently urge the Mayor to proactively lead with such plain-spoken communications in order to avoid having to issue clarifications to quell uprisings later. Seems to be an absolute necessity these days. Well done.
Mar, why would hunting be banned?
My calendar still indicates summer starting a June 20th.
Go ahead and enjoy your summer!
https://www.ci.west-bend.wi.us/news_detail_T41_R48.php