Mike Smith Brillion Mayor

08/26/2026

Hello Friends and Neighbors,

Flock cameras have increasingly become a topic of conversation in our community, as well as nationally. I personally have concerns about the technology, and I expressed some of those concerns at our latest Council meeting.

Beyond the obvious concern of a “bad apple” misusing the system, I think there is a larger question worth considering: how comfortable should we become with technology that allows increasingly broad surveillance of people who are not suspected of committing a crime?

Perhaps my greatest concern, though, is that, as with many technological advances during my lifetime, we are often too willing to accept risks we don’t yet fully understand. I certainly would not have given social media companies as much information about my personality, interests, and preferences if I had understood years ago how effectively that information could be monetized and used to build algorithms designed to impact my habits and spending and opinions.

At the same time, I am genuinely conflicted.

Used correctly, responsibly, and within appropriate safeguards, this technology can be an invaluable tool for law enforcement. I can also imagine a family in our community desperately needing our officers to solve a serious crime, locate a vehicle, or find someone quickly. I don’t know that I would feel any better explaining to that family that our officers didn’t have access to a useful investigative tool because I was unable to reconcile my own concerns about it.

That’s the difficult part.

I don’t know exactly where the proper compromise between public safety, privacy, and civil liberty exists. I do know how we are supposed to work through questions like this: representative democracy, public discussion, and accountability.

To this point, two members of the public have addressed the Council with concerns regarding the Flock cameras. I don’t think it would be fair to assume that silence necessarily means support, opposition, or even awareness. If this is an issue you care about, on either side, I would genuinely like to hear from you.

As always, I encourage everyone to attend meetings when you can and to reach out to your representatives or to me with questions, concerns, or thoughts. You don’t need to agree with me, and you certainly don’t need to have the answer figured out. I don’t either.

Sincerely,

Mayor Mike

07/01/2026

Well that was cool! Big big thank you to the Brillion Police Department, Brillion Fire, and County Rescue for this incredible event. Thank you to Officer Meeuwsen for the incredible idea and putting this all together. And thank you to all who showed up to take part in this super soaking fun time!!!

05/12/2026

Great news! Located and Unharmed!!!

!! HE HAS BEEN LOCATED— UNHARMED!!
We thank everyone for their assistance.

PUBLIC HELP NEEDED—4th grader left Brillion Elementary School property wearing light grey pants and light grey shirt, 4 feet tall, short blond hair, 9/10 years old, last seen walking west on Tesch Street in Brillion at 11:02 am. If located or any information please call Calumet County Dispatch at 920-849-2335.

04/09/2026

Dear Brillion,

I am so darn proud of this community.

These past couple of weeks have been long, emotional, and at times political. All culminating in a very tight referendum vote. Only 119 votes separated “yes” and “no” in our city.

That margin tells a powerful story.

It tells us that while we may have stood on different sides of the question, we stand very close to one another as neighbors.

I feel incredibly blessed to have found this city and to be raising my kids in a community that cares this deeply. The decision was closely split—but what matters more is that it was fully engaged. This community debated respectfully, showed up, and voted for what each person believed was the best path forward for Brillion.

That is how we preserve the integrity and character of our town.

So whether your side “won” or “lost,” take a moment to recognize what we all gained: a reminder that civil democracy still works—and that even at scale, our differences are often just a few doors apart.

And that’s something worth being proud of each other for.

Mayor Mike