New Lawsuit Highlights Ongoing Allegations of Business Obstruction Under Paine Administration
Mayor Jim Paine’s administration is again under scrutiny as another federal civil rights lawsuit accuses the City of Superior of stifling a local business’s efforts to grow — this time by blocking a rezoning application and interfering with a private land sale.
The lawsuit, filed by 2700 Winter LLC, alleges that Planning Director Jason Serck and Mayor Paine violated the company’s rights by keeping a legitimate rezoning request off the Planning Commission’s agenda — denying the business any chance for a public hearing.
“Since the submission of [its] application the City Planning Commission has refused to place this application on the agenda or provide 2700 Winter LLC an opportunity to be heard,” the suit claims.
More seriously, the complaint alleges city officials attempted to derail a private property sale by pressuring a neighboring landowner not to sell to the business.
City attorneys deny the claims, arguing the business has not exhausted its remedies under Wisconsin law and that the allegations don’t rise to the level of a federal civil rights violation.
But the case echoes earlier controversies where city officials have been accused of blocking or delaying business projects without clear, public justification. From licensing disputes to sudden zoning reversals, critics argue the Paine administration has fostered a climate of unpredictability and favoritism — deterring investment and frustrating local entrepreneurs.
Why It Matters to Taxpayers
This isn’t just a private dispute — it’s a reflection of how City Hall operates. When businesses can’t get a hearing, and real estate transactions are allegedly sabotaged by officials, it sends a clear signal: expansion in Superior is subject to political discretion.
Every stalled project or missed investment opportunity means fewer jobs, lower tax revenue, and increased strain on remaining taxpayers. For a city trying to grow its economic base, the appearance of selective obstruction and insider decision-making can do lasting harm.
Public boards like the Planning Commission exist to ensure open debate and public accountability. Blocking access to that process undermines the city’s own rules — and the public’s right to know.
Key Questions That Remain
Why was the 2700 Winter LLC application blocked from the Planning Commission agenda?
Did Mayor Paine or Director Serck contact the neighboring landowner to influence the property sale?
How often have zoning or development applications been denied without public explanation under the current administration?
What safeguards are in place to prevent politically motivated obstruction of local business efforts?
“This isn’t abstract accounting. It’s your tax bill. If City Hall believes this was justified they should be willing to explain it — clearly and on the record.”
Follow-Up Questions for Officials
Has the city established formal criteria for when zoning requests are placed on the Planning Commission agenda?
What is the administration’s response to claims that this is part of a broader pattern of business obstruction?
Will the city provide a list of zoning, permit, or development applications denied or delayed under the current administration — and the reasons given?
#ZonedOutWithJimAndJason
#BusinessAsUnusualInSuperior
Preliminary pretrial conference order setting schedule and procedures in 2700 Winter LLC v. Paine, Serck, and City of Superior in the Western District of Wisconsin.
This March 7, 2025 federal complaint by Mikayla LeRette alleges that the City of Superior and former Captain Thomas Champaigne violated her workplace rights and constitutional protections. The filing details inadequate lactation accommodations and the warrantless use of a GPS tracking device on her police vehicle.
This University of Wisconsin–Superior report details 72 traffic citations issued by campus police between June 1 and September 25, 2025. Organized by officer, it lists violations, locations, fine amounts, and mandatory court appearances, totaling $11,469.90 in unpaid fines. The document offers a clear snapshot of campus-area traffic enforcement for accountability and public review.
This December 5, 2022 message from Mayor Jim Paine seeks an update from the Wisconsin DNR on the Paine Property conservation easement review. The email highlights the City’s need for preliminary guidance to prepare for potential next steps and maintain progress before year-end.
This November 18, 2022 correspondence documents the Wisconsin DNR’s update to the City of Superior on its forthcoming response to the Paine Property easement proposal. The email confirms active review, internal coordination, and plans for direct discussion with city officials.
This email set from August to November 2022 documents coordination between the City of Superior, the Wisconsin DNR, and the Paine family regarding updates and questions surrounding the Paine Property conservation easement. The chain highlights efforts to clarify historical records, address compliance concerns, and identify next steps for managing the easement and related habitat protections.
Filed July 31, 2025, Glen R. Bayless sues RBC Capital Markets, advisor Patrick Pfahl, the City of Superior, and Captain Jeffrey Harriman. He alleges interference with a planned sale of his practice and wrongful failure to return electronics seized in 2022, seeking damages, injunctive relief, and a jury trial.
In a March 16, 1982 order, Chief Judge Crabb allowed plaintiffs’ §1983 claims over alleged police dog attacks to proceed against the City of Superior, finding the complaint plausibly alleged a policy or custom. The court dismissed pendent state claims because plaintiffs cited the wrong dog-liability statutes.
At its October 7, 2025 meeting, the Superior Common Council received the Mayor’s 2026 budget presentation and voted to postpone action pending a November 4 public hearing. Highlights included a 1.55% levy decrease driven by reduced debt service, seed funding for part-time Community Service Officers and firefighter mental-health checkups, and CIP placeholders for clerk archiving and expanded DTA service.
A 2014 dashboard-camera video showing Superior police officer George Gothner striking Natasha Lancour sparked protests and a state investigation. Years later, the City of Superior settled the case for $50,000 without admitting wrongdoing, highlighting ongoing concerns about police accountability and community trust in municipal oversight.
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