In a Beloit, WI City Council meeting on September 8, 2020, City Clerk Lorena Rae Stottler publicly broadcasted a domestic violence victim’s home address on a YouTube livestream after a specific request from the victim to keep the address private.
During City Council meetings, one of Stottler’s jobs is to read the emailed public comments out loud.
Instructions in this particular letter, obtained through open records, stated:
“Here is my address if you need it for your records. I’m a domestic violence survivor so I prefer you don’t read it out loud on the video:”
Stottler didn’t hesitate to dox the victim immediately when reading her public comment. Doxing is the practice of publishing personally identifiable information about an individual on the internet.
Doxing is considered cyber-vigilantism or cyber-bullying. If doxing is done with the intent to harass or intimidate someone, or leads to threats or harassment, those actions can be illegal if it causes harm including substantial emotional distress to the victim (18 U.S. Code § 2261A ).
Stottler would appear to understand abuse and women’s issues so it is unclear why she would choose to do something so potentially dangerous to a domestic violence victim. She currently serves on the Women’s Fund, which serves women in Rock County. She also is the founding president for CASA of Rock County, a non-profit that trains volunteers to advocate for child abuse victims.
There is no Wisconsin state statute or Beloit city ordinance that requires a public commenter’s home address to be read out loud or recorded on the internet.
According to Beloit City Attorney Elizabeth Kreuger, “The requirement is not listed in the city ordinances..…If you do not wish to provide your home address, I would recommend that you simply state that you wish not to provide your home address on the record, but indicate that you are a city resident.”
Stottler is either unaware that there is not an ordinance or statute requiring the public blasting of a home address, she does not understand the seriousness of domestic violence, she simply doesn’t care, or she is actively trying to discourage public comment.
Public comments at local government meetings are increasing as city officials are exercising increasing power and control under the guise of an ’emergency’. Concerned citizens are speaking out in record numbers about government overreach and many members of city government are not pleased.
Stottler reads public comments (that don’t agree with whatever the city manager Lori Luther happens to be suggesting) in an angry, rushed monotone.  Her irritation is clear.  Regina Dunkin, Council President, was angered by growing applause from the public in response to each other’s comments and demanded an immediate stop to the harmless yet enthusiastic practice.
At the same meeting, Dunkin and Luther decided to move item 12a in front of public comment (item 5) on the agenda making the public wait well over an hour before they had a chance to be heard.
Not all members of the City Council are hostile toward public commenters. City Councilor Clint Anderson graciously thanked the public for their contribution and assured them they are heard.
Later in the meeting Anderson said,”I want members of the public to know that whether or not we vote the way you’d like, it doesn’t mean we don’t hear you or we that we care [sic] about your opinion. That’s not what that means. And I know that its easy to feel that way and I’m sure if I was in your shoes, regardless of how this vote goes, I’d probably feel that way too. But still keep reaching out to us. Still keep talking to us. Whether or not we do what you want or the way you’d prefer it to be, we still need to hear your voice. So keep contacting us.”
This sentiment was seconded by Councilor Brittany Keyes who thanked everyone who commented and said that public contribution is “greatly, greatly valued”.
Other Councilors were not so kind. Mark Preuschl offered a lengthy diatribe which ended in, “Let’s knock off all this conspiracy, oh woe is me stuff and get it done.”
In another email, also from September 8, 2020, Stottler intentionally under-reported the available space for the public to attend the council meeting in person when a citizen called in to ask about seating availability.
Ironically, when the public started showing up for the meeting that evening, Stottler became fearful for her own safety and reached out to City Manager Luther and City Attorney Kreuger to ask about a police presence to protect themselves.
In a follow up email, city manager Luther reassured her that “PD has eyes on” to protect them from the ‘very scary public’ simply wanting to be heard.
What about the domestic violence survivor? What about her safety?
When reached for comment, the victim stated, “I just don’t understand what kind of person would do that. And why? I have had court proceedings for custody or whatever and the court bends over backward to protect my location and identity. This is just straight up bullying. They don’t want us there at the meetings. They don’t want us commenting. I’m not going to stop because of a bully. I’m just not.”
In a final blow to public comments, the City of Beloit turned off comments only on that video on YouTube. They clearly do not have any interest in hearing what the public has to say.
What do you think? Leave a comment below. How can the City of Beloit and Lorena Stottler make this right?
If you would like to reach out to the City of Beloit about this issue, you can write them at 100 State Street, Beloit WI 53511 or you can find their contact details on the city website or you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
