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When Words Matter: Why Accuracy in Public Office Isn’t Optional
By Kasia Virgell
Public service comes with many responsibilities, but one of the most fundamental is this: when elected officials speak in official settings, their words should reflect the truth as accurately as possible.
Recently, I reviewed KSUN On Demand recordings and transcripts from two Sun Prairie Common Council meetings – April 15, 2025, and May 6, 2025. What stood out to me was not simply a disagreement between council members, but a noticeable gap between what occurred during a meeting and how it was later described in a public statement.
In the April 15 meeting, a newly elected District 4 council member, Emily Comstock, spoke before being formally recognized by the chair. The chair corrected the process and made a remark about experience that could reasonably be viewed as dismissive or sarcastic. It was not a perfect moment, and like many public meetings, it reflected the human side of governance.
However, during the May 6 meeting, that same interaction was described by Comstock as being “yelled at.” In addition, broader questions were raised suggesting that the interaction may have been influenced by factors such as gender, age, sexual orientation, or even the outcome of an election.
Those are serious implications.
If true, they deserve attention and action. But when such claims are made, they must be supported by the record.
After reviewing the available materials, I did not find evidence that the exchange involved yelling or that it reflected bias tied to personal characteristics. What I saw was a procedural correction delivered with a tone that could have been more respectful but not one that rises to the level of hostility or discrimination.
Why does this matter?
Because how events are described in public settings shapes how we, as a community, understand them. Words like “yelling,” or suggestions of bias, carry weight. They influence perception, affect reputations, and can escalate tensions unnecessarily if not grounded in fact.
This is not about taking sides between council members. It is about maintaining a shared standard: that we represent events honestly, especially when speaking in official roles.
Our community deserves leaders who are not only passionate and engaged, but also careful and precise in how they communicate. Accountability is not about punishment; it is about ensuring that public trust is preserved.
Editor’s Note:
Ms. Virgell has also filed a formal complaint with the City Clerk, Common Council, and Mayor regarding “Misrepresentation of council proceedings by District 4 Alder Emily Comstock”
It’s also important to disclose that Ms. Virgell is married to former District 4 Alder David Virgell, who was defeated by Comstock in April of 2025. Mr. Virgell ran again in 2026 and was defeated by Cheryl Batterman
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