Applicant with 2018 felony conviction appeals denied operator’s license; committee recommends village board approval

The Ashwaubenon Public Works and Protection Committee voted June 2 to recommend that the village board grant an appeal by Lyndsey Peterson of a denied operator’s license.

Peterson told the committee she was convicted in 2018 on a marijuana-related felony and served about 60 days in jail in Fond du Lac. “The felony was for marijuana and I had some with me and I got in trouble,” Peterson said. She said she has worked at Crow’s West for about seven years and is seeking better-paying work, including bartending.

Public safety staff told the committee the department recommended denial under the village’s operator license approval policy guideline one, which “says, provided the circumstances of the offense substantially relate to the circumstances of the job or licensed activity, any person who has been convicted of a felony, unless duly pardoned, does not qualify for an operator’s license,” the chief said. Committee members questioned how much time should pass after a conviction before an applicant becomes eligible under local practice; one member noted a common practice is roughly seven to ten years.

Committee members asked Peterson about steps she had taken since 2018. Peterson said she had not had any further offenses, has been working full time and is raising her daughter. “I’m not doing anything illegal, so I’m just trying to get a better job, better paying,” she told the panel.

After discussion the committee moved and voted to recommend that the village board grant Peterson’s appeal; the committee’s recommendation is advisory and the village board will make the final decision. Peterson was advised to attend the village board meeting scheduled for June 23.

The committee’s action was a recommendation only; the village board will consider the final approval at its next meeting.