So, what is a stalking horse?
The expression comes from an old English hunting method. When a human approached a flock of quail, the birds would disperse. However, when they saw another animal they would remain where they were. In order for the hunter to get sufficiently close to bag a quail, the hunter would walk either behind or next to a horse. The horse became known as a stalking horse because it hid its true purpose for why it was there.
We use this expression today when something is used to mask a purpose; that is, anything that is put forward to mask plans or efforts. In other words, a pretext.
Soon some Grand Chute residents are going to be asked to participate in a road funding survey, and one of the questions will surely be about using special assessments in road funding. In the past, Supervisor Gehring has proposed a policy for having a dollar cap on special road assessments. One of the questions may contain such a policy proposal. The dollar cap is the stalking horse in this question.
A current Town Board cannot bind a future Town Board on any policy matter: Any Town Board can alter or eliminate any policy matter at any time. The dollar cap in such a question on special assessments for road funding is the stalking horse because it can be altered or eliminated by any future Town Board if a majority of residents reinstate the use of special assessments.
In effect, that question is hiding its true purpose and is essentially a blank check for the Town Board to approve special assessments for road funding in any amount. Asking this question in the upcoming survey is at least disingenuous if not simply dishonest.
