Residents Oppose Walker Recall Efforts at Greenfield Public Library

Many Greenfield residents oppose the recall efforts against Gov. Scott Walker.

Others are now voicing their opposition to where those efforts are taking place.

Beginning late last week, several Greenfield residents sent emails, called or even stopped in voicing their displeasure that Recall Walker petitioners are allowed inside city-owned buildings such as the and City Hall to collect signatures.

On Thursday, at least one petitioner stood inside the lobby of the library collecting signatures. As of Monday, Greenfield Patch was unaware of anyone collecting signatures inside City Hall, but according to Greenfield Mayor Michael Neitzke, one would have every right to do so.

“There’s nothing that prevents a citizen from doing that,” Neitzke said. “You can’t ban it because of constitutional rights. You can’t stop it. … Someone can stand there and collect signatures. There’s nothing that prevents that on public property. They city can’t say you can’t come to the library.”

Still, allowed or not, several residents are not happy. Through an open records request, Greenfield Patch obtained several emails sent to and from Neitzke over the last several days.

Tom Wayer, 5281 Woodridge Ln. S wrote, “As a citizen of Greenfield, I am outraged and livid that trash is allowed in City of Greenfield buildings to collect signatures for the recall of Governor Walker. Letting excreta in public buildings is outrageous! Since you pander to the unions and the (Democratic) party, it is time to work to defeat you in the next election!”

Linda Johnson, 5391 S. Cambridge Ln., wrote it was inappropriate to allow petitioners inside of city-owned buildings.

“It appears to be an endorsement of the Walker Recall,” Johnson wrote. “These volunteers should be allowed to collect signatures but outside - not in the comfort of the City Hall which all citizens on both sides of this issue pay for with our tax dollars. I would appreciate if you would reconsider allowing them to set up camp in our City Hall.”

John Ronayne, 5331 S. Cambridge Ln., echoed Johnson.

“It is a politically biased activity and has no place in a city public building,” he wrote. “Please have (the table) removed immediately.”

Library Director Sheila O’Brien told Neitzke on Monday there was no table or booth at the library, just one woman with a clipboard. In an email obtained by Greenfield Patch, O’Brien indicated to Neitzke that she had been in contact with Ronayne and emailed him the library’s administration statement, which does not ban this type of political activity.

Det. Sergeant Michael Brunner said the received one call last week regarding petitioners.

“We made sure we were not violating anyone’s constitutional rights,” Brunner said. “We let the library and others know it’s legal to do that, as long as they are not physically stopping people trying to get them to sign.”