You have probably heard about the woman who called her neighbor's kids "monkeys", when they were climbing in a tree in their front yard. Her position as a Carpentersville's Trustee should never have made it into the news, but it did - and big-time.
When I telephoned the Carpentersville P.D. to ask when her court date would be, the operator (dispatcher?) told me that she had been fined $75.00.
First of all, that's absolutely incorrect. She was issued a Village citation that has a $75.00 fine associated with it. By all reports, she has not paid the ticket. She certainly has not been (already) fined $75.00, unless the officer had his hand out for the fine when he issued the ticket. Not likely.
The operator/dispatcher explained that the ticket was just "like a parking ticket" (her words). As if a parking ticket (and, therefore, this Disorderly Conduct ticket) really was of little consequence.
Now, some people might be inclined to thumb their noses at a parking ticket. Big deal; right? How much is the fine for a parking ticket? $5.00? $10.00? And what happens if you don't pay it? Probably not much.
But is a Disorder Conduct ticket more important? In almost anyone's eyes, it is. The operator explained that the woman was not charged under a State statute, "just" under the City Code.
Will she fight it? Probably. Should she fight it? Absolutely!
Did she commit an act that was "alarming and disturbing"? If all she did was say something, "Hey, stop climbing in that tree like monkeys", what is "alarming and disturbing" about that? That was Hillary Clinton's "it takes a village to raise a child" theme, wasn't it? You know - when Mom isn't minding her kids and the kids are climbing a small tree and risking broken bones if they fall, shouldn't someone step forward and intervene?
Perhaps she should turn the tables on the Mom and file a Disorder Conduct charge against her! Certainly, she has become "alarmed and disturbed" by the actions of the mother of the kids and of the police officer!
She should fight this ticket. Yes, it will cost her more than $75.00. Is it worth it? Yes. Will she win? Well, in court you take your chances. You can mount an excellent defense, and it will still be up to the judge. A local judge will worry that he is showing favors to a Village Trustee, if he finds her not guilty. Will the court have to go outside for a different judge to come in?
With the information being given out by the police department, it's no wonder that newspapers are reporting that she "was fined." The police department needs to educate its employees that the ticket was issued and there is a fine if the recipient pays it or is convicted.
Why is this important? Because it can happen anywhere. It can happen to anyone.
There will be a hearing. When will the hearing be? Stay tuned.
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3 comments:
I like how you complain about a truck driver on a cell phone when the other day I see you on yours! I guess Frank Philpott is the only one who doesn't have to live up to his reputation and set an example of what he stands for. Just bitch, bitch, bitch and turn around and do the exact same thing.
The reference to the truck driver involved the driver of a tractor-trailer making a wide left turn from Irving Road to southbound Route 47, by Wendy's in Woodstock. While he held his cell phone to his ear with his left hand, he tried to steer around the turn and shift gears. Come to think of it - maybe he had two right arms and two right hands. Never thought of that!
Yep, you'll see me on my phone, complete with hands-free set-up (and not one of those silly-looking "I'm a Borg" Bluetooth ear things, either).
And, since you are following me around, you'll notice that I drive my car first, and talk on the phone second; instead of the other way around, which too many Woodstock drivers do.
drop the attitude frank. many people can drive with one hand and still be able to turn. it doesnt matter if you have a hands free or not, it is still a distraction. you dont drive your car first, you take pictures first. is that hands free? you are just as big of a hazard as a drunk driver.
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