OPINION: Others Should Follow Ettrick Board's Lead

Any action on the topic may not have been noticed and certainly wouldn’t have been controversial, but the Ettrick village board didn’t do it simply because they weren’t sure if it would be legal.

I spend a lot of space writing about what governments are doing wrong, but sometimes it’s nice to highlight when elected officials do something right. The Ettrick village board has always advocated for transparency and it’s more than just lip service. In my entire time covering the group, they’ve had just one closed session — and that was unquestionably within its rights. 

In this case, the question was a land transaction that wouldn’t cost the village any money. Furthermore, board members had all previously indicated support for the transaction, which had been discussed at multiple meetings. However, two board members were absent, another spot was vacant and one of the members in attendance couldn’t vote on the topic due to a conflict of interest. 

It came up on the agenda and it was understood that it would pass, likely unanimously. However, the board barely had a quorum and one member abstaining from the vote might make it so any action was illegal.

Members looked to me to see if I knew and I didn’t. I still don’t. This isn’t something I would’ve lambasted them for or even raised an eyebrow at. I don’t see how voting on this issue could’ve been perceived as a violation of the public’s trust. But also because I’ve always known that group to be open and honest. If they were to make a mistake, residents could trust that it was an honest one. 

When I first started covering the Ettrick board a handful of years ago, there was a closed session that I questioned. Former board president John Beirne didn’t fight me on it at all. He said they weren’t going to hold the closed session and asked me for more information about the law because, as he said, they wanted to do it right. That form of open government has continued under current president Marc Baures. 

I know citizens of Trempealeau County don’t always understand what open government means or how crucial transparency is. I’ve butted heads with just about every other governing board about an open meeting law, but I can say unequivocally that I trust the Ettrick trustees are going to do what is best for the village. 

What stands out to me covering their meetings is that they aren’t discussing personal interests. Every conversation is open and it comes back to “what is best for our constituents.” They aren’t even afraid to be critical of their own operation. 

I’ve had multiple elected officials insult me and the newspaper as we push for transparency. While others have called me names like “the crazy newspaper person” or a “jacka$$ with a hammer,” those in Ettrick appreciate the newspaper holding government officials — including themselves — accountable. 

That is best for everyone.