WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — The Marathon County Clerk has found herself as the subject of an investigation by the County’s Executive Council.
WAOW TV reports the Council met on Monday and chose to retain outside counsel to investigate a comment made by Kim Trueblood on a Facebook group called “Parents for Wausau Schools Reopening.” In the post, Trueblood offered to use her position as County Clerk to “get info & do anything behind the scenes” to help residents expressing a desire to recall members of the school board.
After debating the issue in closed session, the board voted to hire outside counsel to investigate if the comments would in any way conflict with Trueblood’s duties as an elections official for the people of Marathon County.
The comments were brought to the Committee’s attention by School Board President Tricia Zunker, who says she did so as a concerned citizen and not in her role with the district.
After the meeting, Zunker told WAOW’s Sarah McGrew that she understands the need for a thorough investigation, but adds “it is unfortunate that we have to spend taxpayer money on such blatant violations.”
Trueblood is expected to release a statement on the matter sometime Tuesday.
Just before Monday’s meeting, Zunker released a statement to the media defending the School Board’s decision to open the year with e-learning models in place, saying “we know some parents, guardians and community members are frustrated by the decision and we hear your concerns. We want our students and staff safely back in the buildings as soon as possible. To that end, we encourage strict compliance with the state-wide mask mandate, safe social distancing practices and frequent handwashing. The community as a whole must take responsibility to help reduce the spread of contagion so that school buildings can safely reopen.”
Zunker, who is also running for Wisconsin’s 7th congressional district seat this November, made that statement as President of the School Board and released it through her Wausau School’s email account.
Trueblood was appointed as the county clerk back in September of 2019 after longtime clerk Nan Kottke retired. The Board of Supervisors approved her appointment despite some misgivings by some, including her criminal record for writing worthless checks in Dodge County. She was also taken to civil court for money owed four times, most recently in 2016.
Others on the board felt it wasn’t right to appoint a clerk and would have preferred to call a special election to fill the position.
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