Emails reveal conversations between DeForest Village President, QTS – WKOW

Report on Village President’s Communications Regarding Proposed Data Center in DeForest, Wisconsin

Introduction

A DeForest resident has raised concerns about the neutrality of the village president’s communications with a developer proposing a new data center. This report examines the interactions between Village President Jane Cahill Wolfgram and QTS, the company behind the project, with an emphasis on transparency and community engagement aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Background

1. Dan Jansen, a member of the group “No Data Center in DeForest,” obtained emails through an open records request revealing exchanges between Village President Jane Cahill Wolfgram and QTS leadership.
2. The emails suggest that the village president and her husband provided advice to QTS on community presentation strategies for the data center project.

Key Findings

• Potential Conflict of Interest: The emails indicate a relationship that may not reflect the expected impartiality of an elected official, raising questions about ethical governance (SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• Community Opposition Awareness: Cahill Wolfgram cautioned QTS against labeling the project as a “Dane County project” due to anticipated opposition from county officials and a task force organized to review data center developments (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Advisory Committee Clarification: County Board Supervisor Patrick Miles clarified that the advisory committee’s purpose is to provide impartial fact-gathering on land use related to hyperscale data centers, contradicting concerns of opposition (SDG 16).
• Communication Strategy: The village president advised QTS to maintain consistency in messaging about water usage, acknowledging a well-informed and questioning community (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; SDG 4: Quality Education).

Community and Official Responses

1. Transparency Concerns: Dan Jansen expressed that the village’s communication process lacks transparency and does not appear to prioritize citizens’ best interests (SDG 16).
2. Village President’s Statement: Cahill Wolfgram defended her actions, emphasizing her role in scrutinizing opportunities and engaging with stakeholders to ensure beneficial outcomes for the community and village (SDG 11, SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): The situation highlights the importance of ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability in local governance.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Community involvement and careful planning are critical in managing land use and infrastructure projects to ensure sustainable urban development.
• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Discussions about water usage reflect the need for sustainable resource management in large-scale developments.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Recognizing an informed and educated community underscores the value of accessible information and civic education.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Constructive dialogue between elected officials, developers, and community members is essential for achieving shared sustainable development objectives.

Conclusion

The communications between the Village President and QTS raise important questions about governance, transparency, and community engagement in the context of sustainable development. Ensuring that all stakeholders operate with integrity and openness is vital to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering trust within the DeForest community.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses concerns about transparency, ethics, and impartiality in local governance, which directly relate to SDG 16’s focus on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice, and building effective, accountable institutions.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The issue of a proposed data center development and its impact on the local community ties into SDG 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article mentions concerns about the data center’s water usage, which connects to SDG 6 focused on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 16 Targets
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
2. SDG 11 Targets
   • Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
3. SDG 6 Targets
   • Target 6.4: Substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
   • Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar).
   • Indicator 16.7.2: Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive.
   • The article implies measuring transparency and impartiality in governance through public access to communications (e.g., open records requests) and citizen perceptions of government neutrality.
2. For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
   • Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate.
   • The article implies monitoring community engagement and the planning process for large infrastructure projects like data centers.
3. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
   • Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.
   • The article’s mention of water usage concerns implies the need to track water consumption by the data center to ensure sustainable water management.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: wkow.com