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Winona County commissioners spar over freedom to speak their minds
Commissioner Steve Jacob called out the county attorney for trying to silence him, covering for commissioners who colluded against Daley Farm proposal. 7:40 am, Mar. 10, 2021 ×
Steve Jacob
WINONA Accusing Winona County Attorney Karin Sonneman of an abuse of power, Winona County Commissioner Steve Jacob took to the public comment period of Tuesday s county board meeting to say he would not be bullied into silence.
“I believe the county attorney is attempting to silence me,” Jacob said. I will not be intimidated, bullied or have my voice silenced.
In a March 1 letter to Jacob, Sonneman wrote, you have ignored Winona County s Respectful Workplace Policy, the Behavioral Ground Rules, and potentially exposed Winona County to liability by showing inappropriate behavior towards others.
Board votes to talk about conduct, approves board of adjustment members without argument, though votes were split. 3:39 pm, Jan. 6, 2021 ×
WINONA What a difference a couple years make.
At the first meeting of the Winona County Board of Commissioners in 2019, three commissioners who represent the City of Winona battled to seat one of their own as chairwoman of the board then as was recently ruled in a district court case against the county colluded with an outside organization to place biased individuals on the county s Board of Adjustments.
During Tuesday s meeting, the board voted to allow Commissioner Marcia Ward to continue as chairwoman, a post she also held in 2020. After Ward nominated Commissioner Steve Jacob for the post the nomination was not seconded Commissioner Chris Meyer then nominated Ward, and the motion passed unanimously.