VILLAGE OF ASHWAUBENON, WIS — VILLLAGE OF ASHWAUBENON (NBC 26) -- Ashwaubenon's Public Safety union voted unanimously Wednesday night that they had no confidence in village manager Allison Swanson. Swanson has worked for the village of Ashwaubenon since 2011 and in those nine years Ashwaubenon’s police union says several current and former department heads have sued the village, because of her alleged misconduct.
On Thursday morning the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Officer’s Association informed the public that they have no confidence in Ashwaubenon's village manager.
"This association has never voted no confidence in anyone of the chief's administrators since the union was organized nearly 50 years ago. And we feel it's important to recognize that this vote is unanimous," says Melanie Lovato the APSOA Secretary.
Of the many accusations made, the union says village manager Allison Swanson has terminated a lieutenant and demoted two supervisors recently. The union alleges that it all occurred without the Police and Fire Commissions approval.
"We've addressed several meetings with the village board and quite frankly every time we've tried to talk with the village board they are unwilling to listen," adds Eric Paulowski the APSOA President.
Another accusation made was that Swanson assisted in changing officer’s retirement payout structure without negotiations. A matter the union says resulted in up to 15 to 50 thousand dollars less in retirement payouts to individual officers.
"The village is involved in several lawsuits that most of you are unaware of. Multiple current and former employees as well as the association have claims pending against the village," adds Lovato.
And while these accusations are new to much of the public, on Thursday it also seemed to be off the radar of Ashwaubenon's village president, Mary Kardoskee.
"There have been some issues with some personnel. But no, I had no idea that this was going to happen," says Kardoskee.
"There have been some issues with some personnel. But no, I had no idea that this was going to happen," says Kardoskee.
But for now, the union is strictly asking the village board to take a closer look at their accusations.
"I would welcome the chance to work with her moving forward as long as there is consideration on both sides of the table," says Paulowski.
Late Thursday afternoon representatives at the village of Ashwaubenon reached out to NBC26 with a statement in regard to the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Officer’s Association’s allegations. Below you can find that statement and the full statement from the police union as well.
Village Press Release 0206 by Alice Reid on Scribd
Ashwaubenon Votes No Confidence by Alice Reid on Scribd
