By now you may have heard the tragic story of Charles McNeer, the retired chairman and CEO of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, who was charged last week with attempting to kill his wife, Ann, at their Erin residence in late June. According to a criminal complaint filed in Washington County, McNeer allegedly struck his wife on the back of her head with a hammer before attempting to kill himself. The criminal complaint goes on to note McNeer told a relative he attempted to kill his wife with the hammer because his health was failing and he did not think that she could live without him.
While Charles McNeer’s criminal case has a long way to go before his guilt or innocence is determined, it’s worth noting that as recently as May 3, 2011 McNeer donated $500 to the recall election campaign of Republican State Senator Alberta Darling (pictured, left), according to campaign finance reports. McNeer’s $500 donation to Sen. Darling is just one of at least five donations McNeer has made to Sen. Darling over the years, with McNeer having given over $1,000 to Sen. Darling’s campaigns.
So here’s what I’m wondering…will Sen. Alberta Darling give back the campaign contribution she received from Charles McNeer in May of this year, given McNeer’s current legal predicament? Personally, I’d like to see Sen. Darling send a strong message that she doesn’t condone domestic violence by donating the $500 she received from Charles McNeer to a worthwhile organization working to put an end to domestic violence – someplace like the Alma Center comes to mind.
So what do you think…will Sen. Darling do the right thing?
Charles S. McNeer has had a sterling record of service both in business and in the community. The extreme difficulties of aging have caught up with the McNeers. In what convoluted way of thinking does Alberta Darling’s acceptance of a donation from this man constitute an approval of domestic violence?