Tyranny in a Small Town: Omro, Wisconsin

The problem with the small town mentality is, it is practically impossible to live a normal life. Everyone knows everyone else. Control of a few select citizens, enables control of the masses. No one wants to be labeled "The Trouble Maker" by speaking out against the general beliefs of the town, we have to see these people every day. We are told what we are to believe by the City Council, Police, etc. and their decisions are always for our best interest. It's a vicious cycle; control of the citizens by threat of public ridicule. We complain to each other but when will we make a stand, and say, enough is enough? Not soon enough, in my opinion.
Attention has been brought to our fair city recently when a Billboard magically appeared; located on State Road 21, east entrance to Omro. The bright yellow billboard reads:  "If you're planning to move your business to Omro stop! The city will not support you." 



A long time business, Stainless Unlimited, only wanted to re-pave the parking lot, allowing easier access to the building. The business owner had been appealing to Omro Area Development Corporation since spring. His plans included a larger paved area to allow ease of trucks entering the property. The City required the grassy area to remain as it had always been. He was allowed to re-pave but he didn't get the larger area needed to improve his business. Although, the business was paying for the improvements, the City would not allow him to make the changes needed to grow his revenue. The city's position is, "Things may have been done differently in the past but as we move forward we are trying to make things equitable. I just hope people realize that were trying our best to make our community work." Work for who? Not the business owner. It appears to me as nothing more than a show of power by the City of Omro. 

Some are of the opinion that the business owner could have resolved the issue without a billboard. Will those people please tell to me how to properly resolve a problem with the local officials? I would love to resolve the inaction by Omro School and Police Department in regards to threats of violence against our children. 

The City of Omro is abusing the power the citizens have entrusted them with, and the local police is treating concerned citizens as criminals. If you sit around complaining that there's nothing we can do, then you need to just get out of the way of the ones willing to be the "Trouble Makers".