Executive Director’s Message
Thomas W. Bahr
The 73rd Annual WPPA convention, held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, was the best attended convention in the past 15 years. The large turnout of delegates from member locals shows me that the WPPA is indeed an organization which is guided in its activities by members from the length and breadth of the state. There were changes made to the Organization’s structure that will make it stronger and more responsive to all of our members. These changes included updating the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and the addition of a position on the Board of Directors. This additional Board position will always be filled by a representative of the non-sworn members of the WPPA.
As a result of the Board of Directors’ creation of this additional Director position, President Mahoney appointed Ms. Bobbi Hicken to a one-year term. Ms. Hicken is a member and President of the Fond du Lac County Dispatchers Association. In addition to her duties of representing the interests of our non-sworn members to the Board of Directors, she will also chair the newly constituted Civilian Employee Relations Committee. This newly created Board position will be filled at the next Convention as a result of the election process, and I would urge any interested parties to participate in the process.
I also would like to congratulate Jim Schumitsch on his election to the Board of Directors. Jim is the President of the West Allis Professional Police Association and replaces Lyle VanderWyst, who retired from the Sheboygan Police Department. Lyle was very active in the WPPA and served as a Director, President, and most recently as Vice-President of the WPPA. Lyle’s help and service to the WPPA was greatly appreciated and all at the WPPA wish him and his family well in retirement.
The seminars presented at the Convention were extremely well attended and were well received by our members. We continue to evaluate the presentations and welcome any comments or suggestions about what was good/bad about your experience at the Convention. Please take a few moments to send me an e-mail (bahr@wppa.com) and let me know your thoughts as to what we could provide at the next Convention, or during the coming year, which you might find helpful. Additionally, if there are any other matters of concern to you or your local, let me know that as well and I will see that they are addressed.
After the last issue of the magazine, I received a call from one of our members asking why there was no additional information in that issue regarding the investigation into the activities of the former Executive Director. She went on to add that, as her local is located in Crandon, they hear all sorts of rumors from people in the area and have come to rely on information in this magazine to provide them more accurate information. I have been advised that the federal investigation into actions by former employees continues and the matter will not be concluded for at least several more weeks. It is my understanding that there have been discussions between the authorities and former employees which might have averted a trial; however, these discussions did not result in any agreements so the matter will move forward. There will come a time for conclusion of this matter and at that time the facts and conclusions will certainly be fully disclosed. Until then, I ask for your patience and assure you that we will provide our members with information regarding this issue as it becomes available.
The weather has finally warmed up. I hope that you and your loved ones have a safe and enjoyable summer.
