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
On October 24, 2024, Ian Cuypers filed a federal civil rights complaint alleging that Superior Police Department officers used excessive force during a traffic stop and later pursued unsupported criminal charges. The lawsuit seeks damages for physical injury, emotional trauma, and malicious prosecution.
In this February 9, 2026 Opinion and Order, the Western District of Wisconsin granted partial summary judgment to Ian Cuypers on his excessive force claim after a City of Superior officer tased him during a traffic stop. The court held that video evidence showed he was not actively resisting and allowed multiple claims, including malicious prosecution and punitive damages, to proceed to trial.
In March 2024, Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt coordinated a meeting with a Superior Telegram reporter to discuss a Feb. 28 traffic stop where a Taser was used on Ian Cuypers.
In April 2024, Superior Police Chief Paul Winterscheidt sent a detailed email to a city councilor and resident defending a taser use during a traffic stop. The exchange highlights public concern, official justification, and transparency claims.
