Stern reflective in final municipal report
Longtime municipal judge stepping down
Town of Delafield - Doug Stern annually makes a report to the Town Board about the Lake Country Municipal Court. But his report Jan. 10 was more reflective and philosophical than past reports.
Stern has served for 16 years as the judge for the municipal court that serves 17 communities, including the town, but he is not seeking re-election this year.
Stern, of Dousman, said he looks at the municipal court judge post as "less a judicial position but more of a teaching position."
The former member of the Arrowhead School Board said he sees his role as "redirecting people," especially young people, to serve the community. "That is my philosophy. Some may differ with that philosophy," he said.
Three attorneys, Tim Kay of Oconomowoc, Peter Wolff of the Town of Delafield, and Daniel Fay of Hartland, are running for the position.
"Change can be and is often good," Stern said.
Stern said he believes in enforcement, fairness and respect.
Stern made some brief remarks about the municipal court, saying that, financially, the court is in good health. Its fund balance will "see the court through many, many years." Stern said the court does not operate on any tax levy.
Supervisor Clare Dundon asked Stern whether the court would be moving out of its location in Oconomowoc City Hall. There had been talk a few years ago of moving the court to Hartland.
Stern said those plans are "totally shelved."
"With the way budgets are, we'll make do with what is there. It is tight there. It's tough to operate with those constraints, but we will," Stern said.
Town Chairman Paul Kanter thanked Stern for his services.
"I thank you personally. You did a superb job. You nurtured it," Kanter said. "The town is pleased to be apart of the Lake Country court."
Stern said he was not seeking another term because of the many years he has served in public service. Stern denied in a recent interview that his decision was related to a controversy involving him in the municipal court.
A special counsel for the court determined that because of a clerical error Stern made, 72 individuals served excessive jail time for failing to pay fines for various municipal misdemeanors.
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