Judge Ruling, Oconto County vs James Holperin

I received this from Kevin Barthel about his fight to bring Wisconsin State Senator Jim Holperin back to Wisconsin . 

KEVIN BARTHEL STATEMENT ON PETITION
FILED IN OCONTO COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT VS STATE SENATOR JIM HOLPERIN

I have filed a citizen’s petition against Senator Jim Holperin to compel him to
return to work and do his job.

This is about Senator Holperin being elected by the voters of the 12th Senate
District to do a job, and then, when the job gets uncomfortable for him, his
deciding not to do his elected duty.

Senator Holperin was elected to represent the citizens of the 12th Senate District –
including my wife, my boys and myself. Since February, 17th Senator Holperin has
not shown up to represent the interests of the people of the 12th Senate District
in the important State budget deficit issue facing his constituents, Oconto County
and the State of Wisconsin.

Senator Holperin has also failed to honor his Oath of Office as a State Senator. He
has repeatedly ignored and broken the rules of the Wisconsin State Senate.

It’s time to get back to work in Wisconsin and build our economy for all of us,
especially for our daughters and sons and for their children.

In my neck of the woods, Town of Lakewood in Oconto County, folks fortunate
enough to have jobs, do them every day following the rules of employment. If
not, they get quit or get fired.

For the Northwoods, getting Wisconsin back to work begins with Senator Holperin
returning to the Floor of the State Senate to do the job he was elected to do -
debating and voting on legislation.

Kevin Barthel
March 2, 2011

And here is Judge Conley's initial ruling

"The Court has ruled that Senator Holperin has violated his duty to be at Senate proceedings. The Court has allowed our suit to continue. It's now up to the Senate to enforce its rules by every and any means - the Court expects they will do just that. If not, we expect to prevail before the Court. He, like all of us, is waiting to see what the Senate does."