Karen was a Karen?
Oconomowoc Mayoral candidate Karen Spiegelberg lived up to her “Karen” name the other day when she lectured a local business for daring to post her opponent Matt Rosek’s campaign sign. She warned the business that people were boycotting it as a result.
“I think it is also important for you and the establishment to know that I have heard from several people that they have not frequented (the business) since the big sign for Mr. Rosek was put up,” she scolded.
Spiegelberg doubled down in an email to WRN. “I reached out in what I felt was a factual and civil way to (the business),” she explained, naming it. “If (the owner) and his staff want to support my opponent, that is certainly their right. However, I have chosen to move my election night event to a more neutral venue. I believe that our businesses should do what they do best… serve all of our citizens, and not get involved in partisan politics. We get things done in Oconomowoc when we come together, not when we divide.”
“Who does she think she is?” Rosek responded. “Individuals and business owners have the right to support whoever they want.”
In the spelling error-laced original rant to the business, Spiegelberg further scolded the business, “I think our local businesses just need to do what they do best – serve the great citizens of our community – not get involved in politics, one way or another. We get things done in Oconomowoc when we come together, not when we choose to divide.” She then asked the recipient to forward her email to any “mangers” at the business, an apparent misspelling of the word managers.
We obtained the email from a source who asked us to omit the business’s name so they wouldn’t face any detrimental publicity. However, we know the name, and it’s a very popular and respected business in Oconomowoc. We wrote Spiegelberg and asked for a comment. We also asked her why she brought up city sign ordinances in the email rant. We also asked Rosek for comment. “Our ordinance states that the total of all political signs on a lot shall not exceed 32 square feet,” she added.
“I was dismayed to see the email my opponent sent to a local business complaining about one of my signs,” Rosek responded. “Her insinuation that the business ought to do what she wants because she has ‘gone to bat for him’ or supported the business in city dealings in the past is reprehensible and disqualifying. We don’t do this job to get what we want or leverage favors – it’s for the people.”
Spiegelberg was so peeved to find out that the business had a “very large sign in front” for Rosek that she cancelled an event she was going to hold there, even though the manager told her that she could put up her sign as well.
“Per our city ordinance, the sign you have up for Mr. Rosek is already the max in square footage that you can display for any political candidate,” she said. She added, “I have chosen to not put up signs in downtown bars. It’s just not my conservative style.”
The rambling email continues, “Also, my husband and I just had a funeral meal there in November and my event in February spending a lot of money on both.” Even though she said they had enjoyed patronizing the business on “many, many occasions,” she said she and her husband are now “left questioning that.” She stated she had “gone to bat” for someone affiliated with the business.
Added Rosek: “No politician should be sending emails demanding compliance because she provided past support or spent money there. This is truly shocking! She also threatened to never patronize the restaurant again and implies that other people have boycotted the business. She went on to demand the business ‘not get involved in politics one way or the other,’ even though she had planned to have her own election night party there…If she is doing this now – what will she be like if she wins?”
Although Spiegelberg referenced her “conservative style” in the email, Rosek is the more consistently conservative candidate in the race. For example, he has been endorsed by top Republicans like Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow. Both Spiegelberg and Rosek are city aldermen.
There is a trend in Oconomowoc whereby people who are not as conservative as the area argue that local government should be “apolitical” or not “partisan.” Sometimes, in the past, that has equated to people hiding their ideological leanings because they actually aren’t in step with the district.
