Menomonee Falls Trustee Paul Tadda recently called for civil disobedience over Gov. Tony Evers' safer-at-home order.

Tadda made the comment on a Facebook post last month by state Rep. Janel Brandtjen (R-Menomonee Falls).

Since that post, residents on social media have expressed outrage over the comment and have even called for Tadda to resign as village trustee.

About two weeks after he posted the comment on Facebook, Tadda said in an interview that he made his post out of passion. He said he was concerned about the state potentially postponing the April 7 election and some families' economic hardship in the wake of Evers' order, which was done to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Evers had since issued an executive order to shut down the election by canceling all in-person polling sites and moving Tuesday's election to June 9. However, hours later the Wisconsin Supreme Court rejected Evers' order and the election will take place.

Tadda posted his comment on a post by Brandtjen, who wrote, "Gov. Evers has now created absolute panic as he says he will close down non-essential business tomorrow. What does that mean? Horrible communications, as a State Rep. I can’t help constituents or businesses because I have not seen an order."

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Tadda responded: “The governor has no right to put me under house arrest or infringe on my right to work to provide for my family. It is time for civil disobedience! I will practice personal responsibility, but I will not be put under house arrest!"

He also wrote in his comment that the election should not be be postponed and called on Brandtjen to stop these "economy-killing orders."

Tadda changes his stance

In a prepared statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tadda backpedaled on his Facebook comment, saying, "I am not calling for civil disobedience at this time."

He said his biggest concern had been over the spring election being delayed.

"My intent was to ask the legislature to provide oversight of the governor and to stop the governor from delaying the April 7 election. It was a comment made in a passionate moment with deep concern for how people will provide for their families, how small businesses will survive and how I, and others, will be able to my exercise their religion," said Tadda.

He also said he and his family are following the safer-at-home order.

"I have encouraged others to follow it," he said. "I am following the safer-at-home order to protect vulnerable citizens, including my own vulnerable family members. I encourage others to do the same."

Village president disappointed by comments

Village President Dave Glasgow said he was disappointed, saddened and shocked by Tadda's Facebook comment. He said he was especially concerned with Tadda using the term "civil disobedience."

"Whether one disagrees with the governor’s order isn’t the issue. Trustee Tadda, and anyone else for that matter, certainly has the right to express their frustration with the interim restrictions," Glasgow said in a statement.

But he said that during the the coronavirus pandemic, leadership needs to be strong and to guide its residents.

"But to publicly incite civil disobedience on State Representative Janel Brandtjen’s Facebook page is immoral and unethical and puts our communities at risk," he added.

Glasgow said any elected official should be extremely careful about what they write and clearly explain the context so they don't convey the wrong impression.

"To even use the words civil disobedience neutralizes or renders meaningless whatever possible intent or motive someone had to write that in the first place," he said.

"We (elected officials) are called to lead, communicate, inspire and direct," said Glasgow.

Trustee says he'll fight for constitutional rights

While he is following the order, Tadda questioned whether the governor's order is constitutional.

"I am calling for the governor and other elected representatives to ensure when emergency orders infringe on constitutional rights, they do it with thoughtfulness, within the bounds of the Constitution, clearly explain what, why and when the extraordinary order will end. Anything less should be vigorously questioned," Tadda wrote in a statement.

"The current crisis does not give the governor dictatorial powers over free citizens," he said. Tadda quoted Wisconsin Senator David Craig, “The Constitution was not designed to be disregarded in a time of crisis; in fact, it was specifically designed to be most valuable and applicable during times of crisis when liberties are most at risk."

"I am a passionate person who wants to ensure my children, and yours, will be able to enjoy the constitutional rights I have enjoyed for 46 years.

"That passion made me boil over at the governor’s inept rollout of his order. My comment was made as we all waited for him to provide us details," said Tadda, summarizing his own words.

Tadda said citizens have a right to question the order.

"An order that takes away free citizens’ rights to provide for their families and worship their God should be communicated precisely. As your trustee, I will bring the same passion and will rely on the wisdom of our founding fathers when voting as your trustee. Who do you want representing you — one who does not question 'edicts from on high,' or one that will jealousy fight for your God-given constitutional rights?" Tadda said in the statement.

Tadda 'flagrantly defied oath'

Glasgow said that when becoming an elected official of the village, one must sign an oath to uphold the Constitution and to obey all lawful orders. He said Tadda did not uphold his oath.

"The expectations of elected officials are greater with how you conduct yourselves," said Glasgow. "I am an extension of the governor's orders, and we need to help the village with the government actions. We have to be a positive leader and to encourage others."

Glasgow said that anyone has the right to express their frustrations, but needs to publicly respect any elected official.

"I find that his call to actively defy and disobey a reasonable order to protect our residents and minimize the spread of COVID-19 to be reprehensible and conduct unbecoming of an elected official," added Glasgow.

"Whether one disagrees with the governor’s order isn’t the issue," he said. "Trustee Tadda has willfully and flagrantly defied that solemn oath."

Tadda sees it differently, however. Taking the oath means being more protective of people's constitutional rights, he said.

"Taking the oath made me more protective of citizens' constitutional rights as I represent free citizens, not wards of the state," said Tadda.

What's next?

Glasglow said some community members have asked him what he will do about Tadda's Facebook comment.

"I would love to talk to him (Tadda)," said Glasgow. "He is entitled to his own feelings. But this is a black mark against the board. It is embarrassing, and people are really upset."

He said he thinks Tadda should apologize to the village board and community.

Resigning or facing a recall are other possibilities, as is censure by the board.

The board could censure a trustee — issuing a written reprimand — if members determine a trustee's behavior rises past a certain point, Glasgow said.

Tadda was re-elected as village trustee in 2019; his three-year term ends in 2022.

Cathy Kozlowicz can be reached at 262-361-9132 or cathy.kozlowicz@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KozlowiczCathy.