Viroqua Mayor issues statement on recent problems

Viroqua Mayor Krista Browne says she will not let threatening or criminal behavior change how she leads the city. Her statement follows the arrest of Evan Blattner, husband of Ward 8 Alderperson Tanja Birke, on a criminal trespassing charge. Browne says Blattner was hired to paint her home in March, and she was notified he was there without permission Oct. 26. The Vernon County Sheriff’s Office investigated, and Blattner was arrested Oct. 30. Browne also says she felt threatened during an Oct. 22 meeting with Birke and Council President Steve Willis. Two days after Blattner’s arrest, the council voted to move Browne’s office to the City Hall basement.