CC / Bahao Zhao
The Manitowoc County Ethics Board has dismissed a complaint regarding a person’s place of residence.
The complaint was filed by Resident Pat Kohlman, who claimed 18th District Supervisor Nicholas Muench lied about living in the district he represented.
However, a question raised by County Attorney Peter Conrad asked if the complaint was timely.
In his opinion, it was not, because there’s a statute in the county code that says a complaint needs to be filed within 180 days of the alleged ethics violation.
Conrad stated, “As the last time nomination papers were filed would have been back in 2023 which is well outside the 180-day limit.”
Kohlman also claimed that Muench continued to violate being a county board member by attending board meetings.
However, Member Sharon Cornils says Muench wouldn’t just be a county board member at meetings, but rather every day if he talks to constituents.
“I don’t know that the attendance at a county board meeting is the proper date to which affect a complaint, because that date has nothing special,” she stated. “Because you’re always exercising those duties when you’re holding office.”
Conrad agreed, saying that was why he felt it would go back to when Muench filed his paperwork to run for the county board, which would have been back in 2023.
The board voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint due to how late it was filed.
Muench filed for non-candidacy, meaning he would not seek reelection to the county board.
There was no formal candidate that ran for the seat in Tuesday’s election, meaning whoever got the most write-in votes will be asked to take the seat on the county board.
