Seratti doesn't - with control of local issues. I have known and dealt professionally as a reporter with town government officials for years and currently live, vote and pay taxes in a town. Town government is neither more perfect nor more imperfect than any form. Their argument rests primarily on smallness of population and presumed closeness of neighbors in acquaintanceship with each other and their elected officials. Everybody knows everybody else and everybody else's business in a small town, and no secrets can be kept very long, they will argue.
People today have busy lives and many other things to do.
And therein lies the reason why town government as we end a century and move toward Wisconsin's 200th birthday in 2048 is no closer to the people than any other form. It is no closer because we as people have grown more distant - from each other, our churches, schools and governmental institutions. Unfortunately, Seratti's bill probably is needed, not necessarily because we can't trust town officials, but because we no longer can trust ourselves as citizens. Cliff Miller covers state government for The Post-Crescent. All Rights Reserved.