Soupnutz Exclusive: “The Paine in the Easement” — Superior’s Clumsy Dance with Conservation
If you thought “conservation easement” was a snooze-fest, wait ‘til you see Superior city officials try to explain what they want to do with one while all pretending to have some semblance of a plan.
A genteel exchange of emails regarding preservation of a Superior city property the relatives of “Mayor Jim Paine” (yes, the city’s mayor shares his name with the namesake land in question) quickly devolves into a bureaucratic slow-burn featuring Frog, Jason, Diane and a bunch of nameless suits at the DNR. Spoiler: No one wants to talk to the guy whose last name is literally on the property.
Hall of Fame: Highest Paid City Employees Dumbest Quotes
Need a few hearty bellylaughs to start off the week? We’ve got you covered:
“So far I have not yet reached out to the Paines as those who know them have told me that it would be a waste of time.”
– City Attorney Frog Prell
What a public service champ! It takes stones to explain, in writing, that you haven’t bothered to contact the Mayor’s family because you heard “it’s a waste of time” from someone in the employee breakroom. The kind of disregard where you’re supposed to be representing your constituents like a lawyer at the local bar would read them their Miranda rights.
To phrase it in more technical terms: THAT’S SUPER FLIPPANT. Imagine if your doctor told you, “Listen I just heard your liver was giving you trouble last night. Let’s just not do that exam.”
“Good afternoon … my advice would be to discuss this with Steve LaValley from the DNR Superior office.”
– Jason Serck, Planning Director & Master of Delegation
Translation: “I’ve no earthly idea what’s going on but I hear Steve has some answers.” At this point it’s about 17 forwarded emails deep and it’s pretty clear Serck is just funneling problems up the chain like your uncle forwards chain emails. You are, sir, quite literally the Planning Director. You are not the “Pass-the-Buck” Director.
“Do you think this is something they may take issue with?”
– Diane Milligan, DNR Attorney, after telling city officials she would like to have someone from DNR visit Paine property in person.
You’re talking about construction on conservation easement bearing the last name of the mayors family, and campaign donors. Do you think they might possibly raise an eyebrow about you sending someone to visit said property unannounced? This is rural politics, not your Weekend Getaway travel reviews.
Round-up: The Best of the Clown Car Email Circus
The DNR wants to know more about the conservation values of a city of Superior property named “Paine”.
No one in their right mind wants to talk to the Paines—including Superior city attorney.
Emails get bounced all around government agencies halfway across the state without one person it seems doing one damned thing.
Meeting gets discussed but first questions must be asked about parking spots, how to Skype and refreshments.
Jason promises a list of potential city projects that could offset the Paine Easement Violations —hard to believe that didn’t go into a folder appropriately titled “Stuff We Really Shouldn’t Be Doing .”
Reality check: What’s really going on here?
Translation: This is another local government turf war smothered in white-glove civilities. The city doesn’t want the DNR wandering on the Mayor’s Uncles property, and the DNR’s just trying to scratch a checkbox and not ruffle any feathers (or egos).
Fact of the matter is that no one wants to call Jim Paine or his family directly, which tells you more about local leadership culture, and their views on real conservation.
It’s not government, it’s group text that accidentally got forwarded to the press.
“Impressive! We Are Committed to Service Excellence.”
You read that right. Literally every DNR email in this exchange tacks on that line at the end, as if in reply it could change “Uhh, not sure” to “EXCELLENT SERVICE TO YOU!”
After reading 40+ pages of forwarded “Uhh, not sure,” “Ask Steve” and “Let’s circle back Monday,” the thing we can tell you with confidence is: service was provided. As for excellence? Your guess is as good as the DNR’s Skype password.
Mic drop.
Here’s what you need to know: The City of Superior is running hot potato with a land purchase connected to their own mayors family on a conservation easement. The best plan they had is “maybe we should have someone talk to Steve.” The entire email thread is the bureaucratic equivalent of one big shrug emoji.
Frog Prell City Attorney Superior
Mayor Jim “My Cousins Father” Paine
#SuperiorlyIncompetent
#TelegramJournalismWithAFlipPhone
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 21, 2022 email documents ongoing coordination between the City of Superior and the Wisconsin DNR regarding the Paine Property conservation easement. It confirms that the DNR is preparing a formal response and outlines upcoming communication steps involving city staff and regional DNR leadership.
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.
