About 20 minutes into this morning's call the case of Lowen vs. Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BOFPC) (and Sgt. Gorski) was called by Judge Maureen McIntyre. Called pretty loudly, too. And then the volume dropped.
It was possible to hear portions of the statements by Dane Loizzo, attorney for Sgt. Gorski, and Elizabeth Wakeman from Dave McArdle's office (office of the City Attorney), representing Chief Lowen and the City of Woodstock.
On behalf of Chief Lowen Ms. Wakeman asked the judge for more time. Seems that Mr. McArdle wants to review some records. Well, what in the world has been going on since February 14th? Only just now did he decide he needs to review more records?
Sgt. Gorski's attorney argued against these further delays and informed Judge McIntyre that Sgt. Gorski hasn't been paid since October 2007. The judge gave Chief Lowen's attorney 45 days to file a brief and set the next court date for mid-September.
What a joke! Any "records" don't have a thing to do with this Administrative Law Hearing. All Judge McIntyre has to decide is whether the Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners erred in granting a directed verdict in Sgt. Gorski's favor in February.
And what if they did? As I have written previously (find below by searching for "Gorski"), all that will happen is that the BOFPC will re-convene. The Chief has completed his testimony; he won't get to add anything new or make further statements. The BOFPC will call Sgt. Gorski, ask him to state his name and then ponder the weighty decision facing them - - just how long should they look serious before re-stating the same decision that they announced in February?
How much money is the City of Woodstock wasting on this (what could I call it? starts with st----) legal action?
And how much financial pain is it heaping on a 19-year employee?
Keep in mind that on February 14 the BOFPC directed Chief Lowen and the City of Woodstock to pay all Sgt. Gorski's back pay to him.
WHY HAVEN'T THEY DONE THIS?
AND WHEN WILL THEY PAY HIM?
2008 © GUS PHILPOTT
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