BOFPC/Sgt. Gorski Decision Delayed

For those of you holding your breath and waiting for Judge McIntyre's decision tomorrow in the case of the Woodstock police chief against the Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, you can start breathing again. It's not going to be tomorrow.

Chief Lowen filed his case in court last March, certainly with the approval of the City Manager and the City Council and with the assistance of the City Attorney - and with the provisions from the City coffers called "your tax dollars at work."

You may remember that the Board ruled 3-0 in favor of 19-year Sgt. Steve Gorski and against the police chief in his attempt to fire Sgt. Gorski. The Board ordered and directed the Chief and the City to pay Sgt. Gorski all his back wages. Did they?

Instead, he filed a case in court, and Judge McIntyre has been pondering the decision for months. In October the case was continued for two months; in December it was continued to January 14. The word to me was that Judge McIntyre had broken her arm and is taking the rest of the week off. Frankly, the decision could have, and should have, come down within two months. No arguments were needed by either side.

Let's hope that she makes room early next week to announce her decision. It should take only about five minutes. Sgt. Gorski has been waiting for his back pay since February 14, and that's just for his back pay.

If she rules that the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners made its decision in the proper manner by the directed verdict in Sgt. Gorski's favor, will the City stop stalling and pay Sgt. Gorski?

Or will the City delay matters further and run up its legal expenses even further, as well as causing Sgt. Gorski more financial strain and legal fees?

The 3-man Board made a fair ruling on February 14. The City needs to suck it up and accept it. Stalling tactics only demoralize the work force of the entire City, not just the police officers.

Let's wish Judge McIntyre a speedy return to good and working health.