Wdk. BOFPC - still short one member

Why is the Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BOFPC) still short one member?

This public Board is to have three members. For many years it did. Then one man withdrew from the Board, and the Mayor and City Council appointed Janelle Crowley to serve. Remember her? She was Woodstock's Human Resources Director for years, and she was also (and may still be) the Chairperson of the McHenry County Sheriff's Department Merit Commission.

Last September, just about the time that the Chip Amati matter was being investigated, Crowley tendered her letter of resignation from the Board. She probably would have forewarned Mayor Sager that she intended to resign. The City could have (should have?) quickly appointed a resident to the Board, especially since the City had to know that the Board would be expected to make a significant decision in the near future.

And in fact the Board met on October 28 and made a decision to discipline Sgt. Amati. At that time the Board was comprised of Ron Giordano, Woodstock resident and businessman, and Larry Howell, Woodstock resident and Police Chief in Lakewood.

Giordano and Howell went along with Police Chief Lowen's suggested discipline. How much input did they get from Chief Lowen and City Manager Roscoe Stelford before or during that October 28 meeting? We'll never know.

And then the City sat on the decision and kept it quiet for a month, even though a Chicago Tribune reporter was sniffing around. Would a third member, a new member, have protested and insisted that the decision be made public?

The City still has not appointed a resident to fill the vacancy on the BOFPC. Aren't there any other residents who care??? Do you want to be on the Board? Contact the Mayor.

The City Council meets tonight and there is nothing on the agenda about filling this vacancy. The City hasn't forgotten how to fill vacancies. Tonight's agenda indicates that resident Ryan O'Connor will be appointed to the Economic Development Commission.

If you think the City should get its act together and appoint the third member to the BOFPC, speak up. Call the City Manager tomorrow. Email or call all the members of the City Council and the Mayor. You'll find their names on the City's website at www.woodstockil.gov  To view their names and contact information, click on "City Council" (left side). Don't hover over it; click on it.