BOFPC votes, accepts Amended Complaint

The Woodstock Board of Fire and Police Commissioners (BOFPC) met yesterday at 5:00PM at the Woodstock City Council chambers. Two of the three commissioners were present; member Larry Howell was absent.

But two constituted a quorum of this 3-man board, and so business proceeded.

The Special Meeting was for the announced purpose of discussing an Amended Complaint filed with the BOFPC by Police Chief Lowen against Sgt. Steve Gorski, now a 20-year member of the Woodstock Police Department. The chief's efforts to fire Sgt. Gorski have now been dragging for two years.

The BOFPC is represented by Naperville lawyer John Brohier. It was announced that the Complainant, Chief Lowen, had closed his case, and the BOFPC had made its decision (that was February 14, 2008). It was further announced that the "court had reversed the decision" (of the BOFPC). [This reference was to Judge McIntyre's March 24, 2009 Decision.] The case was remanded to the BOFPC. The Board was to consider the Chief's Motion to amend his original complaint "to conform to proof", Gorski's lawyer's Response, McArdle's Reply and case law. There were to be no oral arguments at this meeting, and the lawyers were not required to be present. Attorney McArdle was present; Attorney Loizzo was not.

The Board went into Executive Session at 5:05PM, and members of the public (Chief Lowen, Attorney David McArdle, City HR Director Janelle Crowley, and I) were requested to leave the City Council chambers. The court reporter and the secretary of the meeting remained with the BOFPC and its attorney.

Approximately 30 minutes later, after the Board would have discussed all the relevant documents, case law and received the advice of its counsel, the public was invited back into the City Council chambers. Upon Motion, second and vote, the two members of the Board voted to grant the Motion to Amend the Complaint.

The Board's attorney announced that the June 30 Hearing date would be changed, because two members of the Board would not be available.

Here's the rub about that... When this meeting was scheduled, All parties, all three commissioners and all attorneys were present. June 30th was selected as the date for the hearing to resume. In view of the two-year period during which the Chief's efforts to fire Sgt. Gorski have continued AND during which Sgt. Gorski has not been paid by the City of Woodstock, why wouldn't the Board have the appropriate sense of urgency about addressing this matter and getting it finished?

No one was present last night to stick up for Sgt. Gorski, when the Board decided to put off the June 30 Special Meeting. Will they re-schedule it sooner? Or will they allow vacations and other summer plans to interfere with this important business and let it wait until September?