Green Bay Alderman Calls For Mayor’s Ouster

A Green Bay alderman is asking the city council to oust Mayor Jim Schmitt.

The Mayor plans to plead guilty to three misdemeanor charges of campaign finance fraud related to campaign donations.

Shortly after a Green Bay City Council meeting began Tuesday night, alderman Guy Zima introduced a motion calling for Schmitt’s removal from office.

Zima said the charges against the mayor should have been regarded more seriously.

“He could’ve been charged with 20 felonies, and it’s been reduced to three misdemeanors. We don’t know if the judge is going to accept it or not. But one way or another, he’s got to toe the line.”

Zima is asking for a special council meeting to consider the removal. According to state law, Zima said, he needs a three-quarters vote among council members to force Schmitt out. If that doesn’t happen, he said he’ll push for a recall vote.

Schmitt will go before Outagamie County Judge Mitchell Metropulos on Wednesday, Oct. 5, for his initial court appearance.

Green Bay Alderman Bill Galvin said he’s taking a wait-and-see attitude. He said he’ll form an opinion after the October hearing.

“What I’m willing to do is to wait until this whole process has gone through the courts and to see if the state is going to take any action, and then after that, I think the council needs to address it,” Galvin said.

Schmitt has admitted to falsifying campaign finance reports, accepting donations over the allowed limit and altering the names of donors. He had no comment on the matter at an earlier public appearance Tuesday afternoon.

He has been mayor since 2003.