In February of this year, I resigned from the Opioid Task Force in Eau Claire County.

If you know me, you’ll understand that this wasn’t an easy thing for me. This work is a part of my heart and I took my role on this task force seriously from day one, serving as both a member and as vice-chair. But because I moved to a neighboring county, I’m no longer eligible to serve.

My resignation letter is in the images at the bottom, and I hope you’ll take a moment to read it.

I realize it may have ruffled some feathers—and that’s okay. I’m not one to shy away from difficult conversations and I’m not interested in wasting anyone’s time. If I didn’t believe every part of it needed saying, I wouldn’t have written it.

However, the thing I really want to talk about is how we, as a community, show up for and support each other.

Shortly before my resignation, I raised concerns with the chairperson (Supervisor Myren) of the task force regarding not only the problematic language used by an invited presenter during a recent opioid task force meeting but also the broader inappropriateness of allowing that presentation in the first place. By permitting an individual who was openly seeking access to settlement funds to speak freely during our meetings on multiple occasions despite not being appointed to the task force and then allowing that person to provide a presentation that was nothing short of a sales pitch opened the door for future disruptions, factual inaccuracies, and the risk of unfair influence on public policy. Supervisor Myren’s ultimate dismissal of my concerns underscores why community members must keep a watchful eye on local leaders. When those in power fail to value or respect those they’re meant to serve, there can be serious, real-world consequences.

Here’s the thing…the way our leaders act when a campaign camera isn’t in front of them and the words they choose, reflects how they’ll make decisions that directly shape our communities and dictate how money gets spent – like the opioid settlement funds. When harmful language, misrepresentations of facts, and unfair practices go unchallenged, it undermines the trust our community has placed in their leaders.

In this case, we’re talking about millions of dollars set aside to help those most harmed by the opioid crisis in Eau Claire County.

While I support the proposed framework, for the most part, I believe we still have to pay attention to ensure these resources aren’t diverted into unrelated projects or simply used to pad existing budgets. They should be spent thoughtfully, equitably, and with oversight from people with lived and living experience. The decisions should be transparent to the public and justified with local data, not simply anecdotes from handpicked organizations who happen to rub elbows with the right individuals or because they address loosely related issues that are generating bad press.

Most importantly, we need to hold our leaders accountable to US - as in the whole community.

The easiest way to do that is to simply show up.

*Sommer, Myren email exchange - January 2025*

You don’t have to speak on anything, though in the screenshot here you can see that the Chair of the task force explicitly says that anyone from the public can speak throughout the meeting (not just public comment) as long as it’s on agenda topics. I promise you that by simply being in the room or attending online, your presence serves as a reminder that the public is watching and we care about what’s happening. If you do attend, don’t be afraid to ask questions, share how opioids have affected your life or the lives of people you care about, and call for greater accountability.

Currently, the next meeting (click here for the agenda packet) is scheduled on March 17, 2025, at 3 p.m., in Room 3312 of the Eau Claire County Government Center. There’s also a WebEx link in the packet if you prefer to join virtually and details regarding the proposed framework. You can find up to date meeting details by CLICKING HERE.

THESE ARE PUBLIC MEETINGS AND YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO ATTEND.

Real change comes from everyday people stepping forward, making their voices heard, and looking out for one another. It’s in meetings like these where decisions are made that can profoundly affect prevention efforts, recovery services, community support, and the future of those still struggling with opioid addiction.

Remember, Chair Myren has said that public participation is encouraged and welcome anywhere on the agenda, so let’s hold him to that.

Hope to see you there!
Renee