Rock County First Empowers Citizens to Demand Government Accountability

August 16, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

8/17/2022
Rock County First, Inc.
info@rockcountyfirst.com
608-313-5025

ROCK COUNTY FIRST EMPOWERS CITIZENS TO DEMAND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Rock County, WI (August 16, 2022) – Rock County First (RCF) is a non-profit organization (501c4) in Rock County, WI whose vision is to protect liberty and freedom in its local communities by empowering the citizens of Rock County through education and greater government accountability.

Last Monday, August 8th, the citizens of Rock County had their voices heard on a matter which was important to them. Just as importantly, the County Staff Committee Chair (Rich Bostwick – District 25), and Committee members (Supervisors: Bill Wilson – District 5, Tom Brien – District 27, Kevin Leavy – District 15, Louis Peer – District 9, J. Russell Podzilni – District 23, Alan Sweeney – District 2, Debi Towns – District 3, Mary Beaver – District 1) listened to the citizens who overwhelmingly were against approval of the Advisory Referendum resolution on their Committee agenda, which was offered by Supervisor Yuri Rashkin (District 16). The Committee, after hearing the voice of the people, decided to not make a motion to vote on or debate the resolution. Appropriately, this highly partisan resolution died in Committee.

If the resolution had been approved by the County Staff Committee, it would have been voted on by the full Rock County Board. The resolution would have placed ballot referendum items on the November general election ballot. There were seven highly partisan ballot referendum items proposed in the resolution which ranged from gun control to abortion and the legalization of marijuana. When citizens looked at the list of Referendum items, two things were of concern. Number one, they were highly partisan, and Number two the County Board has zero authority or direct accountability over these highly partisan issues. Decisions on such matters are discussed and addressed either at the Federal or State levels, not by a non-partisan County board.

Additionally, given the County Board did not offer a referendum on the new $96M county jail but rather approved it themselves, which will have a significant and direct impact on the taxes of the citizens in Rock County during the most turbulent times of this generation, citizens found it confusing the board would consider a ballot referendum on items they have zero authority or direct accountability over.

The Rock County First Watchdog Committee assisted in alerting and informing the citizens of Rock County about this highly partisan resolution. It was the citizens who demanded greater accountability,

and for their action, they received it last week. We thank Chairman Bostwick and the Supervisor members of the Committee for listening to the people.

Rock County First is a volunteer, citizen-led non-partisan organization which empowers liberty and freedom loving citizens of Rock County through education, organization and community knowledge sharing.

Citizens and Committee members gathering prior to County Staff Committee meeting on August 8th. The room was eventually standing room only and it spilled out the two doors, into the hallway:

You can also view the press release here.

Beloit School Board Forum: Building a Stronger Beloit, Together!

March 25, 2026

Our three, non-partisan, community-based organizations, the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation and Rock County First, on March 18th, hosted a very successful Beloit School Board candidate forum. Common feedback to the forum from candidates, attendees, and the community—was overwhelmingly positive! With terms being used such as: “non-partisan,” “professional,” “fair,” “unbiased,” "well done, "all candidates being treated fairly and with dignity." One candidate said he respected our "commitment to civic engagement." The community’s warm response to our forum demonstrates how much everyone values respectful, inclusive dialogue—exactly the spirit we want leading the district. We once again thank the candidates, the school district and our moderator, Tim Bremel, for making this highly successful event, possible.

It’s Time to Get Out of the Box!

March 20, 2026

Are you in a box? Many of us are these days, and do not even realize it. I’m not talking about a physical box. The box I refer to is much more dangerous because it is often invisible. It’s the technology box. Many of my readers are too young to remember the 1960s. In fact, I myself was born then. But that timing gave me the luxury of seeing the ‘box’ built as it happened. Younger folks, born in the 2000s, were born into a world where their invisible box was pretty much finished with them inside it from birth, and my generation failed to point it out. In fact, my generation slowly stepped into the box as well, initially out of fascination and convenience. The box encourages self-isolation and self-indoctrination. It keeps us listening to echo-chambers regarding societal and political issues.

Spring 2026 Endorsements Are Here!

February 21, 2026

The Rock County First Political Fund (RCFPF), a non-partisan, non-profit organization in Rock County is pleased to announce its list of endorsed local candidates for the Spring election. Please note: all Beloit School Board endorsements will be announced on March 20th, after our Beloit School Board forum. Find information on the forum and all related updates HERE. This will be a forum like none prior. It will; 1) focus only on the top challenges facing the district and, 2) what specific, solution-oriented ideas the candidates propose. The format will allow the candidates to make their final arguments prior to early voting on March 24th, and election day on April 7th. It is intended to help voters make a more informed decision on whom to vote for.

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Rock County First Empowers Citizens to Demand Government Accountability

Other Articles From Our Blog

Beloit School Board Forum: Building a Stronger Beloit, Together!

It’s Time to Get Out of the Box!

Spring 2026 Endorsements Are Here!