WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — An Alder on the Wausau City Council says she feels she’s been bullied and belittled by some city leaders over her call for a roll-call vote during a closed-session meeting in August.
Mary Thao, a Hmong woman, is accusing some of racism and bullying over the incident. During the meeting, she called for a roll-call vote on a topic but was denied because leaders didn’t think the request was allowed.
Thao then turned to outside legal counsel in the weeks that followed, who confirmed that her request was within bounds. City leaders eventually agreed that her request for a roll call vote was allowable.
“The most disappointing part was having to defend myself when I already showed that I was within my legal right, and being met with barriers as excuses and inconsistencies on their reasoning on discrediting my request,” Thao told WAOW.
Mayor Robert Mielke said he sat in on every meeting on the matter and doesn’t feel like any racism towards Thao was shown, saying her allegations are sad and untrue.
Both Thao and city leaders say they hope to move on from the matter and be stronger together. Thao also serves on the Wausau School Board.
