More Intimidation & Town Gossip
Last week a resident and former council member, Jeff Dahlke, stood at the microphone and questioned council member Shannon Derby’s ethics (click here for that story). Days later an anonymous letter landed in his mailbox, dripping with smears, homophobic slurs, and intimidation toward him and two others.
Dear Doctor Dahlke, OB/GYN:
We were amongst the twenty people in attendance at the city council meeting. We went to see your “performance.” You were itching to get to the stand.
In one hundred years of city manager government, the word uterus has only been said twice. Both by you. You need some real professional help, soon.
You lost the election. Your wife lost the election. You lost the Assembly election. You lost the Congress election. The school board wouldn’t appoint her to a vacancy, either. That’s a fact.
Your wife came to Michigan Avenue in Manitowoc to complain about property taxes. She stood twelve feet away from the county board chair. We’re certain you’ve had him at your office. We’re sure you’ve had him at your house. He’s a school teacher with a “husband” who works for Manitowoc County Human Services. The county board chair supervises his live-in lover! Where’s your outrage? Before you write off the county board leader, look at the GOP leader for Manitowoc County. [Name redacted] is his name. Been to your house, too? Why did he lose his insurance license? Why can’t he hold a job? How many men has he “serviced”?
You’re worried about a t-shirt? How about knowing your GOP acquaintances are getting lubed-up for a reaming, tonight?
You are blind to these folks. Open your eyes!
Think about that. One citizen exercises his right to speak, and someone tries to shut him up with intimidation. Our home received three similar letters from this person during Andre’s council run — so this isn’t an isolated outburst. It’s a pattern.
A Confused City Council… Again
The same night, another council member, Bonnie Shimulunas, admitted on camera that she didn’t understand the zoning change she was about to approve:
“I wish I understood R-1 better… What are the zonings and what do they mean?”
Yet she still voted to change city law so homes in residential neighborhoods can become Airbnb tourist lodging.
Residential zoning was created over 100 years ago to protect stable, family neighborhoods. This vote continues the path city leaders have chosen — not to bring in business or industry with good jobs, but to turn us into Door County.
Bonnie Shimulunas, council member:
I do think this is a difficult pivot. It’s difficult in two ways. I wish I understood R-1 better… I mean according to our city. You know that, um… What are the zonings and what do they mean? But unfortunately, I think Airbnbs go out other R-1 neighborhoods if I’m not mistaken. I think so.
Greg Buckley, City Manager:
I can’t give you a exact number, but clearly there are Airbnbs in R-1 neighborhoods.
Bonnie Shimulunas, council member:
I just meant they are not only in your neighborhood, but other neighborhoods too. They’re not an easy thing to deal with.
So in one meeting we saw fear tactics aimed at the public and guesswork from the council, and both sailed through without pushback.
Why this matters
- Civic engagement dies when speaking up feels dangerous. If letters like these go unchallenged, fewer residents will dare to raise their hand.
- Bad decisions happen when votes are cast in the dark. Council green-lighting a major zoning change without understanding our current laws invites chaos in every neighborhood.
What we deserve
- Respect and safety for anyone who addresses the council.
- Competence and transparency from every official before they change our city’s laws, especially when they affect our homes.
What now?
- Demand an investigation into the threatening letters. Silence equals approval.
- Insist on real deliberation. No vote until council members can explain the ordinance in plain English.
- Residents speak up and show up anyway. Bullies win only when we stay home.
