Earth Angel take a break and have a Klondike bar.

One would think that Greg Epping would follow suit with Steve Devoy in applying for Grants to assist his department in daily operations.

There is a lot of things on our budget that can be cut...Options for our sewer have not been looked into in many years. The Federal Gov't gives out many grants in LARGE amounts of money to municipalities to build Waste water Treatment Facilities...No one has petitioned the DNR if we could be allowed to do this...Not even an attempt. Tell me why do we need 3 squad cars in our Village when Rarely are there 2 out at one time...and as many have said why is our DPW managed the way that it is. Hopefully our New Administrator can grab these things by the reigns and do what the board had hoped.

You know Reasponsible, If the board would have went to Chief DeVoy and said we need to cut back $50,000 from your budget. He would have done everything he could to do that. Other depts. are never told that for one and two when times are tough they are working overtime.

The way the board went about this is so sickening in my mind. Useing tax payers dollars to pay all these attorneys to save money???

Guess the word Trustee means nothing anymore. You get one fruitloop in there and Abbott,Puttman, Zipp and Wenzel Jump on board. Because it helps there personal agenda. Which is an easy out for the trouble THEY have gotten us in from the many years they have sat on the board.

The board has always been swayed to the good ole boys 4 to 3. They have nobody to blame our problems on except themselves. And when we get good people in there that wanna help all they do is start rumors and degrade them. Whish I had time to sit at West Wind Diner and Senoir center and even the church to bad mouth them.

pssst....(passed)

these blogs have long since past from being useful...

ResponsibleCitizen
Can't believe you encouraged some idiot who is clearly on this site for his own entertainment.
.
I gave you credit for intelligence before this.

hilarious dr1fever (Darwin fever)? ASTOR HAS BEEN LONG DEAD FOR OVER 100 YEARS...GET YOUR HISTORY STRAIGHT...lol

drfever if you think metzners so great why don! you post your real name to support him? As far as police if we don!t need them call the office and tell them they don!t .need them to protect you or your home so they won!t worry about your house and can use their time for others.Get a real job fool.Teacher don!t worry about creep stalking you if you fell he is watching you call county and say his name they have him on record for this.

DEbo you don!t need to say sorry for anything that woman has called you names right from the start.She was not even going to the meetings intill the stuff started she didn!t get the r eal story because she was not their.She told on herself at that meeting she said the only reason she was running and Joe shut her down she has to much hate to help she wants in office to get even.I think we should rent the park have a mud match and sell tickets you know what I mean?HA! I bring the food and BEER!.

This is regina.Why did danz and dennison get upset when I asked about the black bag? I seen someone in a red van take a bag the day before to putmans houseI just wondered.If you want a real vote someone better babysit that voteing. Yes teacher should got that instead of who did.It sounds like someone is jealous of the McCues.I hope Evelyn gets the vote and replace everyone but mary.How can putman and Metzner even run with the recall.Putman got runover because of Metzner.Im sorry but the library is a big waste of money that can be used some place needed. Most people who use it don!t live here.

"XVIII. GOOD OF THE ORDER.
Trustee McCue would like to have some expeditious activity with the Chief of Police currently as it stands we have a lot of questions that need answering.
Village Attorney Danz responding to the question that the investigation would resolve next week."

This was January 19, let's hope tonight is FINALLY the night to put this whole business behind us but to not forget the lesson.

Hi Folks-

Regarding the wording of the referendum ... Standard procedure is for the board to approve the wording of a referendum question. Here is a link to the Jan. 19 meeting when the board voted to put the question on the ballot.

http://www.darienwi.us/vertical/Sites/%7...

An ad hoc referendum committee came up with the question and the board approved it.

Ann Marie Ames
Reporter

This guy is blowing his career over these promise pushing board members.

WisconsinMom-
Hold on - think about THIS. Meeting Agendas are required to be posted 24 hours ahead of time, right?
.
Held on Monday evenings, so agendas are posted Sunday evenings, as logic would have it.
.
Yet, in the Family Connections Newsletter, Dennison tells us he wants us to REGISTER our comments and concerns BY NOON on FRIDAY in order to be HEARD at the Meetings on MONDAYS!
.
How can we express concerns and comments when we HAVE NO IDEA what's on the agenda!
.
In other villages, you are ALLOWED to give your comments on the agenda. They are required to publish it beforehand, so WHY would you attend a meeting? (Because you have a CONCERN about the agenda!)
.
DUH!
.
This Village is being run upside-down!
.
SURE, I can call Dennison ahead of time with a concern - IF I register it ahead of time. THEN I may speak. But what will happen? They will schedule it for a future meeting, which NEVER happens!

And you are SO correct about how they are wording the referendum.

I would like to reword it as such:
.
----------------------------------------------
Would you like to eliminate a 26 yr veteran and dedicated Police Chief, for NO reason, and his staff, because the current VP does not value Police Protection for residents over his OWN agenda?
----------------------------------------------
Dennison could still save himself, but he is not choosing to do so.

Dennison, save yourself. If you blew a whistle you could be a hero and stay....

Nice family connections newsletter we just received!
No Police calls...
and did you all see how Mr. Dennison worded the referendum question????
"Should the Village of Darien reduce 24 hour coverage by Village of Darien Police, therefore, reducing the Village of Darien budget and tax levy??

I am OUTRAGED! The way this is worded...they have deliberately found a way to persuade voters to cut the police by "lowering taxes"! It's such a crock of sh**!
Way to go Dennison..
Then Mr. Dennison closes by saying"If you would lik eto participate in the Citizen's Participation portion of the Village Board meetings please contact my office..... or stop by for a chat and I will put your name and what you wish to speak about on the agenda..."
OMG! How many meetings have been held with NO CITIZEN PARTICIPATION allowed???
Stop by and chat...when?? when he is taking a few days off to "recuperate" from the stressful election??
******
Where can you get a job, start Dec.1, then take time off withing 2 months?? SALARIED employees shouldn't get "comp time"...that's why they are on a salary...so we don't pay overtime...
******
This village is going belly up!
*****
I sure hope everyone wakes up and votes NO on the referendum and chooses Kenyon, McCue, and Debi O and Evelyn for VP!

That's been on the menu for quite some time.
.
Hopefully reason will prevail tomorrow evening - yet doubtful.

Lest us not forget she has been spoon feeding our incompetent village idiot!!

How much longer are the residents of this village going to let people screw them over??

Next thing ya know is we will have "friends of the board" and not yet elected trustees *cough* GAGging us with lawsuits next!

Angel
I am not surprised. Somebody, somewhere, is eating stupid for breakfast.

lifeisawheel-
OH NO, I don't think that's enough. She is still on consulting duty and getting paid by the VERY VILLAGE she is suing!
.
Talk about a conflict of interest....

Jumpin' Jimminy, can we all sue for emotional distress? That would be a pretty long line. Hey Machi, if you're so distressed, why didn't you just leave for good? Oh that's right, $40/hour, what was I thinking? She didn't even have to be on camera, she's just upset that there was something going on that she didn't have a say in or control over, that's what caused her emotional distress. She was just as power hungry as the rest of them. I say take your small fortune and walk, you already fleeced this village enough.

Cornchild-
You obviously have no credibility because of the 'facts' YOU made up - as follows:
.
Evelyn "works in Madison, where she is part of the bureaucracy that has generated a 5 Billion dollar state deficit. Then she's going to commute back home to fix our budget?"
.
That's a pretty bold and slanderous comment.
.
So you prefer to keep Metzner in office?
.
Perhaps it's TIME you "venture out into the real world".

Ohhhh cornchild..no more blogging for you?? Maybe you can feed the birds in your spare time..especially the big ones by your house!

DarienGal..It just kills me that you think you know who I am...Keep guessing!
I will give you a hint..I am not running for the village board..and I don't have a HUSBAND....and I haven't been to a church since Christmas.... LOL

******
Just wanted to pass on some info I hear from a reliable source...
Seems as Ms. Machi has retained her own attorney and is suing the village for "emotional distress" and invasion of privacy... because of the illegal placement of the "camera's"..
Pretty amazing since her office wasn't located in the police department!
Maybe she's suing since Metzner threw her under the bus!
Just what the village needs..more lawsuits..more attorney fees...

Cornchild
I never felt as if I was yelling, nor did I resort to calling you any names, I just simply showed how all your statements that you pulled out of thin air were false by backing it up with fact. Nothing more than that.

To all,
I give up! You win. I obivously have no credibility because I refuse to accept the facts you make up or gather from somebody speaking with authory over their cup of coffee or bottle of beer.
What I've lost sight of is that this is the blogosphere, where nothing need be proven. We as group probably don't make up even 5 percent of the voting public in Darien, and I just hope other people reading these blogs have the good sense to look elsewhere for help in deciding how they will vote in April and what they will say to their elected officials as we try to dig out of this mess.
I will now stop wasting my time online and venture out into the real world, where I can have real discussions with people who have to accept responsibility for their actions and statements. Have fun yelling at each other.

Ha! future headline for Darien to the right here: Bye-bye, Bob

George,
Stop by my house this evening after 5pm if you can.

Lifeisawheel

I am listening to you, good stuff. I live in a village with a bunch of fruitloops!!!!!!

I retract my last statement. It was not fair of me to call anyone juveniles when any juvenile behavior out of any of us is a product of this ongoing madness.

Once again, I put out cold hard facts and the juveniles take over with subject matter that is outside of all comprehension. We are all screwed for sure.

DarienGal
"WisconsinMom: I know who you are."

Take your own advice!!! Don't claim you know who WISCMOM is. This is not who you think it is! But do please continue to rack your brain over who it may be. I find it amusing! Yes, I find it equally as amusing that you have NO clue who WISCMOM is! Two strikes...one more and you're out!

BoBo: Don't claim you know me. I'm not who you think I am, but do please continue to rack your brain over who I may be. I find it amusing. WisconsinMom: I know who you are. I have lived 30 years in this village, and I recognize a post from you when I see it. Instead of you and your husband trying to figure out ways to frustrate our community as a whole, why not use that time and energy to do good things for Darien. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Your husband is the least patient, most hostile person, I have ever met, and I have met him often. Instead of going to church and talking about the 'Golden Rule', maybe he should start practicing the 'Golden Rule' instead. His hypocrisy knows no bounds.

Responsiblecitizen,
Do you REALLY believe everything your neighbors (Cornchild & DarienGal) tell you? They are the only two people I know with so much "hate" for the world and everyone in it!

Zipp was on the committee and Metzner was also in the room as (get this) score keeper!!! The committee made a unanimous recommendation to promote Officer Wilson even though he didn't score as high as Officer Maltese. Metzner insisted that he be given a copy of the questions before the interviews. The committee felt Maltese's answers were too 'scripted' and 'well rehearsed'.

What we all know now, I wonder what Officer Maltese's score would have been without knowing the questions ahead of time. I think in the 300's is generous.

Life and reasponsible

Then there was 2 people from personel cause Metzner chairs that committee.

Reasponsible,

That would be Metzner!!!!!!!

I believe that has already been established. If you also dig in the minutes, Metzner appointed Zipp to be on the committee. But that wasn't good enough to seal the deal for the little fella, Metzner later figured that he had to be there himself for the interviews. It won't be long now until its out what really happened with that as well. Too bad we are stuck with Zipp for another year. WHY IS IT SO HARD TO JUST TELL THE TRUTH?

WHO WAS THE ONE PERSON FROM THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE!

POLICE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 7, 2008

II. Recommendation to fill the Sergeant’s position
Three officers from within the police dept. are interested in the sergeant’s position: Charles Lankford, Chet Wilson, and Michael Maltese
III. Recommendation to establish a panel to interview candidates for the Sergeant’s position
A.
Panel to consist of Chiefs and Lieutenants in addition to one member of the personnel committee
B.
Panel to make recommendation to the Chief and Village Board for approval
Craig McCue moved, seconded by Ken Blanke to recommend to the board to have a panel of six (five volunteers from the Chief of Police Assoc. and one person from the personnel committee) to interview the candidates for the Sergeant’s position and then make their recommendation to the Chief and Village Board. The motion carried unanimously.

POLICE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Review building condition report – Chief DeVoy presented a report on the security and condition of the buildings used by the police department. Many things need to be changed.

POLICE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Chrm. Robert Metzner entered for the record that areas of the Police Department should now be considered as restricted due to the presence of evidence need for several court cases. In particular, now in evidence is a car that was involved in a hit and run accident.

lifeisawheel -
UNBELIEVABLY INCREDIBLE job laying out the TRUTH, fact by fact. (UnDENIABLE fact by fact.)
.
Be prepared for the backlash.
.
For some, the truth REALLY hurts.

Who came up with these Scores?

Interview scores of Sergeant candidates
The interview scores of three Sergeant candidates were given as public notice as follows:
Charles Langford 504
Chet Wilson 791
Mike Maltese 882

Cornchild
“Steve always seemed to get what he wanted for the PD.”

Another clueless statement, that’s why the building is falling apart and he had to resort to grants and other government funded organizations.

“The cameras were an attempt by the chief to get some dirt on Maltese to further his own agenda.”

Sounds like you have it all figured out. Could it be that the Chief was doing HIS JOB, something they call policework, something that we pay him for?!? Chief DeVoy is not a politician, a politician would lie and deny any knowledge of any cameras or put some other spin on it. Chief DeVoy has not lied and after three months he has not been charged with anything. Too bad we can’t say the same for the board members. And guess what sports fans? Just because cameras were installed as part of an investigation, doesn’t mean that Chief DeVoy had to be right about what he was looking for – but is sure looks like he was.

Cornchild, I am mystified why you are such a Chief DeVoy hater:

“I suspect the chief himself is feeding information to someone on theses blogs to help make his case for reinstatement. Frankly, I think Steve DeVoy is the smartest politician this village has seen in years. We scream about the budget, but never talk about how his department is responsible for more than half of it.”

Yah, it’s Steve DeVoy’s fault that he is head of the only area of the budget that operates 24 hours a day & seven days a week – 365 days a year. Of course that’s gonna eat some budget. But you would most likely deny all the money saving things Chief DeVoy has done over his 26 years of service to our village.

And Chief DeVoy being a politician is truly laughable. In fact he was told by one of the biggest politicians in this state that he needs to be more like one (ya know, lying, telling people what they want to hear and stabbing them in the back – sounds too familiar with who is sitting in his chair now). Chief DeVoy refused to be a politician and has always done what was right.

“He was Bob Metzner's best friend, and was right by his side when Bob put in the claims for the water damage.”

Now it is more than obvious you don’t have a clue. You can look it up in the minutes, Chief DeVoy tried to get the meeting room and the police department’s carpet replaced by taking bids and getting a cheap rate/materials. When he brought it before the board, they shot it down and said that it was a different committee’s responsibility and put it off for several months. But in steps Village President Bob Metzner who decides that after a malfunction in the men’s bathroom, the entire building was contaminated and the carpet had to be replaced – paying a company and a team of guys over $$$FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY WEEKEND$$$ to come in and rip it out and replace, a process that took much longer than Chief DeVoy already had it planned for earlier. Let’s not forget who bought the company’s lunch on those days – you guessed it US. Because Bob Metzner had the village’s checkbook and money was no object (pizzas & sub sandwiches). There was one who really had a problem with this as you all know. Phil Putman, coming in and calling Metzner a liar and that the men’s bathroom had nothing to do with any of this. We all see where he landed with this, sitting on Metzner’s other knee along side the little fella. Oh by the way, since you are so informed cornchild, do you know where Chief DeVoy was during this fiasco? On fourth of July vacation out of the village.

Cornchild, reference your comments on Feb 22, 2009 12:03am:

“My contacts in the village tell me they believe the meetings were posted”

First, if you did have contacts in the village, they would be able to tell you a definite yes or no that the meetings were posted. In my opinion, “they believe” is another shady statement covering up lies.

As far as December 2, it’s quite obvious at this point that anything could have been said at that closed meeting and anyone could have been consulted. Again, in my opinion, they were lead to believe by Danz that it needed to be done. It is possible, Danz knew what the Chief was getting close to and steered the board away from cutting off his “cash cow”. I don’t believe for a second that the board had complete understanding of what they were about to do when they did it – hence three months of sitting on their hands.

If you want to read some real incompetence, they admit they are in the article “Darien may hire an administrator instead of clerk/treasurer”

“Machi said village board members are part-time and often don’t have the time or the experience to dig deep into issues that come before the board.”

“We don’t have anyone on the board who has a ton of expertise in village administration.” – Zipp

“I feel we are not capable as a board to manage the day-to-day needs of the village because it can’t wait until next month sometimes (when the board meets),” Zipp said.

Proof is in the pudding right there.

It’s starting all ready. Did anyone here about money being stolen out of the church while the parishioners where up stairs at choir practice. Thugs will overcome this village real soon with Barney Fife in control. Thugs; we still have WWC Sherrifs though so beware there is hope for us. And we have professional full time officers. Lets hope they are on duty when you come to our town. Hate to scare the little fella, wouldn’t you?

Allen Kenyon is the only person I put any Faith in on the Board.

does Responsible have any friends on the board?

I have no friends on our local Police Department...my only interest is in safe Police Protection for my home and that the Village Board not waste funds in the process of managing that Police Department.

With all due respect reasonable, I think you should do it yourself like we did. I am not about to throw anyone under the bus. Sounds like your good friends with Barney and I don't trust him as far as i can throw him. Makes me feel real good that I can't trust our acting chief,feel real safe for my family and community. Good thing we still have good cops though. But they can only do so much with out good leadership.

Not only Versitile but cocky too.

NoWay -
Very good work. I found the article on Hazelbaker very interesting. He's very versatile, isn't he?

anyone who has info on former chiefs contact info & officers who will speak against parties involved...send me information.

I know what the story was, I'm the one who put it there.
Talk about a bag of hammers...

Thisbites now you can see what the story was .

Regarding this article:
Salvation Army pleased with amount of Red Kettle donations

Posted on December 24 at 6:05 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Badgerlvr
I wonder how much more S.A. would have had if that "Scrooge" fat lady hadn't stolen at least 3 kettles.
*********************************************
Did you get a good look at HER she hasn't missed a meal in quite sometime .

No i'm not Metzner. i remember the comment but can't remember the story.

You said SOME.... of the MORE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE.....
Which doesn't make sense.

That would be the Teacher, wow you ARE clueless.
Maybe you're not Metzner.....
Sorry, I thought you were.

Read my post again i said SOME----------------

klick
Feb 23, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.
Suggest removal WiSpedTeacher yes and thats to bad , i have found out that some of the more intelligent people are dumber than a bag of hammers .just no common sense .

Klick-
Look up your post yourself, I'm not going thru the 443 posts you've made!
If you live in Beloit you can't possible have met the candidates. Why are YOU calling them dumber than a bag of hammers?
Why not support them and give them a chance to rescue this village from the current situation?
Have a heart.
C'mon, there's one in there somewhere....

Thisbites why would i be at your meeting when i live in Beloit ?

No i don't ,copy and paste the whole blog so i can see it .

EarthAngel-
Look at the past comments - specifically from Dec, 24 at 6:05pm where Klick says, "Did you get a good look at her, she hasn't missed a meal in quite some time". (SOUND FAMILIAR????)

ResponsibleCitizen
Me too, I spoke with the former chief of Orfordville, not in person but on the phone twice and via e-mail twice.
What NoWay said is true. You are a good researcher and you really should make these contacts.
You will be shocked at the things you learn and you will look at Darien's situation in a new light. Sorry to say, it will alarm you.

Klick-
You touched no nerve with me, but your sometimes nasty comments are irrelevant and obnoxious. (You know they are) Just stick with the facts and play nice.

EarthAngel whats the matter did i touch a nerve ?
never said i was a professor ,but i do have pretty good common sense .

Klick-
You live in a glass house, you should not be throwing stones. Having seen your postings, you are the last person who should judge anybody's intelligence level.

DarienGal,
Haven't you learned your lesson yet? You can't point fingers or name names! Two our of three of your comments have been removed, but lucky for you - you can keep your hubby typing for you...I think I recall something about a "hateful woman"...?

WiSpedTeacher yes and thats to bad , i have found out that some of the more intelligent people are dumber than a bag of hammers .just no common sense .

Klick..
Thanks for your vote of confidence, however, I am out of the running...

Believe what you want Reasponsible, but practice what you preach. Instead of sitting at your computor making assumptions, go speak to them. You will find it very entertaining.

I sincerely doubt you spoke face to face with any other police departments.

Infact some of the stories they tell are quite good,even funny, yet disturbing. Need to get rid of this parasite from our village as soon as possible. I don't feel safe anymore and I hope my house never catches on fire so Hero boy can kick in the door and fan the flames, so he can get another award.

Reasponsable,

Try meeting them face to face instead of E-mail, like I did. They talk alot more free when in person. Didn't find one person that would hire him back. Infact most said the reason they gave Chief DeVoy a good reference on him was so that they could be rid of him for good.

Cornchild:

From what I've seen publically and at meetings, Metzner's "bosom buddie" as
quoted by Zipp is definitely Maltese and not DeVoy. The two were in the squad car together constantly and if not in the squad, in a diner somewhere having lunch and dinner together. I have no idea how Zipp could formulate his opinion about that, much less tell that to the press. As far as the cameras and the department records. I think after talking to other municipal officers and chiefs, that there is a common understanding that although the records of the police department are the records of the community, the records custodian (normally the chief of police) in smaller communities is responsible for the security of the records and the dissemination to assure that confidential information is not put in the hands of people who are entitled to it. As a matter of fact, I recently read an article pertaining to a law suit against Evansville police department for information released by police officers that shouldn't have been and who else was involved but Attorney Mark Hazelbaker. http://www.gazetteextra.com/mezera021507...
You as a taxpayer of Darien should credit the efforts of the chief for trying to protect the records instead of defending those who were possible suspects. I remember being present at past board meetings and DeVoy brought to the attention of the board that he had concerns regarding the security of records and evidence. Danz agreed and thus the reason the village purchased pods for a temporary remedy to a long-time security problem. Lastly, the Janesville Gazette has reported several times that the cameras were the property of the WCSO and were installed by them, not DeVoy. I'm not sure how many times this all
has to be beat like a dead horse! Please take the time to read the story pertaining to the law suit against Evansville. It sounds like Darien could've been next!

If you think that someone from another Police Department is going to speak out against Maltese give it a try:
Police@vil.albany.wi.us
chfdave@orfordville.org

He still shows as the Town of Miltons Seargent on their website:
http://www.townofmiltonrc.com/town_conta...

After it's all said and done ,my opinion of Darien is the same. 45 years later Darien is a rotten /stinking/ little Village .you won't work with each other. most of you want to be Big shots . the person that may be good for the Village in my opinion is Special Ed Teacher . most of you have a screw loose.and by your comments most of you like Chief DeVoy . and you better try to fix that FOUL little Village before the Village falls flat on it's face.

williepeter
The point is there is no way to know what is true. I guess if you want it to be the truth then it is. At least here they remove it when it gets foul. By the way I can't believe they let you get by with your user name. They must know you.

OMG you have to check out craigslist.org /Wisconsin / Janesville / rants and raves / I never thought williepeter was that bad but there it is in black & white.

2009
Evelyn is the SOLUTION. Metzner's administration (and the long-standing board members) are the PROBLEM.

2007
Metzner is the SOLUTION. Wenzel's administration (and the long-standing board members) are the PROBLEM.

DebiO
“One other thing I have to say is that the idea of a 'roundabout' at the intersection of Hwy X and Hwy14 is another costly and UNNECESSARY venture.”
I got to the DOT meeting on highway 14 late and stayed to the end I didn’t see you there. I checked the sign in but you weren’t on it. Did you have a private meeting with them?

One other thing I have to say is that the idea of a 'roundabout' at the intersection of Hwy X and Hwy14 is another costly and UNNECESSARY venture.
Get a can of paint and relocate the 'stop' areas further back so large trucks can make their turns.
Voila.

ResponsibleCitizen-
Wait, in what way did Evelyn "show in public" that she "can't act like an adult"? I find that hard to believe. And WisconsinMom has a valid question - Metzner didn't even bother to show up at the candidate forum, what kind of 'plan' is that? More of the same (disrespect and disdain for citizens)?
.
Cornchild-
Looks like one of Maltese's former bosses (delavan) has shown up to set you straight.
.
Perhaps you should contact him privately to get your 'verified facts'.

Joe Brickner said if people showed enough interest he would host another Candidates Forum...I suggest all the candidates contact Joe and give him your ideas. For the record I am on no side Old Board /(potential) New Board...I am on my Family, Friends and Neighbors side. I just want what shows best for our village. I have never stated that Metzner is the best person for the job...I will say that he does NOT have my vote... however Evelyn has shown in public that she can't always act like an adult either. I hope that she can be the right person for the VP seat. We need the Police Protection in the village, we also need to find a way to better our community i.e. Downtown, "the new business park", Traffic issues, Sewer problems and one sided thinking.

How can you say Evelyn wouldn't make a good VP..
She was the only one running that showed up at the meet the candidates forum..
She hasn't shown you a plan..has Metzner? Oh I forgot he is VP (God) he doesn't need a plan...

Grow up!

Okay, we all started as children, I grew up surrounded by cornfields, I live in Darien, the Home of Cornfest... the fact that Thisbites questions my manhood shows he really isn't willing to enter into a discussion unless it is with those who already agree with him. By no means do I believe this should become a male versus female issue EarthAngel - we have plenty of real issues to divide us.
I called Bob Metzner the devil in the same sentence - "the devil you know" is an old cliche.
And I am sorry, postings here on these blogs, whether mine or yours, are not verified facts. They are opinions. If I take a drive to Orfordville or Albany or Evansville I will get gossip, not facts. Maybe Ann Marie can get the local PD's to go on record publicly, but I don't think you'll find her quoting a reliable source like the West Wind Diner - she would need a name and enough background on the person to give the quote some validity.
So yes folks, I will keep posting, and even if Evelyn is the inevitable choice for VP, I will continue to question how effective she will be. She still hasn't shown me a plan.

cornchild..
I am NOT Evelyn...
Though I am honored you think so..she is one smart cookie!

Sorry Earthangel
Carry on, your doing ok.

Thisbites you are distracting me-

Corn - this is very disturbing on SO many levels. You are questioning Evelyn - when METZNER is in office and here we are with this honking deficit situation under his watch.
.
Evelyn is the SOLUTION. Metzner's administration (and the long-standing board members) are the PROBLEM.
.
You have the choice to stay the course into bankruptcy, or give a smarter person a chance to address the problem.
.
And you call her a 'she-devil'.
.
You have just forfeited all legitimacy. You'd best not post here any longer, as the females will give you 'what for'.

Is it scary to anyone else that a 'man' wants to post as a 'cornchild'?

Cornchild-
ZOWERS! You have not seen the FACTS? Talk to anyone from Orfordville or Albany or Evansville. They have posted here on the blogs in the past and told how Maltese methodically ruined their towns and police careers. He seems to be following his M.O. here in Darien, too.
.
Do you GET that he has done this BEFORE? To innocent people! He's doing it again.
.
Take a drive, talk to people in those towns, educate yourself.
.
Show us a public statement by METZNER that outlines any specific plans other than him going to Walmart to claim he "has been our police Chief for the last 20 years!"

I'm sorry, but this is an indication of serious 'delusion', witnessed by many people, and VERY worrisome behavior!

All we get from him is “shut up and sit down!” Have you NOT attended meetings?
.
And you call Evelyn a ‘she-devil’.
.
I saw a recent quote from YOU, corn: “How I am supposed to believe you are any better than any other politician in this town when you egg on those making demeaning comments?”

Practice what you preach.

Okay folks, I am a male resident of Darien who is not a candidate for public office at this time. I am also not a government or law enforcement employee. Beyond that, I prefer to maintain my anonimity.
I am not ignoring the facts, I just haven't seen them yet. Get me an on-the record public statement by anyone in a position of authority over Sgt Maltese that any of the accusations against him are true.
Show me a public statement by Evelyn that outlines specific plans for fixing our problem.
Get me a tape with the five member majority cackling with glee over the destruction of Darien, or am I taking the posts here too literally?
I'm in neither Bob or Evelyn's pocket. At this point we are choosing between the devil we know or the she-devil we don't. And it will be little consolation for any of us if we figure out next fall that we made the wrong choice.
And yes, Eddie should have a commendation. Mr. McCue or Mr. Kenyon, if you are reading this, maybe you should get the ball rolling on that.

cornchild-
I don't understand your statement "Evelyn worries me because I fear that she will gut village services while gutting village hall and DPW staffing."
.
Village services include the safety of residents by community policing.
.
Your absurd comment, "it may be hard for all the Maltese bashers to believe, but maybe he accepted the responsibility of running the department because it is part of the job he agreed to do" belies your ignorance about the facts.
.
Maltese was awarded a 'heroism' commendation, when he did NOTHING heroic, in fact he may have been the reason that house burned to the ground because he broke down the front door and fanned the flames.

On the other hand, the other Officer, Eddie, actually DID save a family and on his own time provided them with shelter for that evening.

Who is the hero?

Eddie got no 'commendation'. WHY?

Methinks you're in the pocket of the VP.

I'm thinking Bobo was correct - the corn person IS Mrs. K!

Cornfed chastises everyone ELSE for negative comments, yet accuses that Evelyn Etten "is part of the bureaucracy that has generated a 5 Billion dollar state deficit."

That's a wreckless comment coming from someone who claims to be so 'above' the rest of the people who blog here. She doesn't even know what Evelyn does for a living. I'm sure that "generating a billion dollar deficit" is not in her job description, nor something she could do if she tried.

What a slam against an honest candidate - vs. NO slam against the current VP and old boys who got us in this situation.

And what a bitter way it which it was said! That HAS to be her...

Oh, I forgot to state where my facts came from for my last post...Mrs. K, West Wind Diner...

Cornchild:
I totally agree with you! Evelyn replaced Doyle and is totally responsible for the $5 billion deficit! Wow! What a woman! And apparently, a great hunter to "GUT" so many things! People, just don't write in a vote for cornchild...she doesn't make too much sense!

I kind of like the Allen Kenyon write in idea! He seems to have a steady hand, so maybe we should give him the tiller. Evelyn worries me because I fear that she will gut village services while gutting village hall and DPW staffing. She works in Madison, where she is part of the bureaucracy that has generated a 5 Billion dollar state deficit. Then she's going to commute back home to fix our budget? Write in Allen Kenyon for VP!!

BoBo the Devil made me do it .

Just seems like the 5 memebers who don't agree with the other are made out to be involved in some conspiracy. From some of the information posted it doesn't sound like the 5 members always vote against the other 2. That is how I mistook the comment.

Smalltown:
I believe it is the VP who sets the meeting times & dates.

I agree that the meetings should be held when all can attend. Who sets the time for the meetings?

EarthAngel:

You have the correct intention of my comment. Obviously, I didn't think someone would take it the way that smalltown did. Sorry for that. I just find it odd that many of these meetings took place when the two board members that "do" speak on behalf of the people were not able to attend, due to their work. Yet, they are being prosecuted because "people" think that by a unanimous vote, all board members are present, which has not been the case. That was the only purpose of my statement, not to imply that others don't work hard! Those that are retired have the priviledge to meet at any time. Work with the board members as a whole not against some, who happen to vote differently.

smalltown
I didn't read it as an intent to demean anyone, just that the Board should meet as a whole to be fair.
.
By excluding 2 members because they work during those daytime hours enables the rest to push thru items under the radar.
.
McCue and Kenyon won the peoples' vote and are there to represent us. When they are excluded from participation, so is our best interest excluded.
.
It's a valid point.

Some people shouldn't comment if they don't know what they are talking about! To suggest that 5 board memebers are "not making an honest living" becasue they can attend morning board meetings?? Maybe some of them work pm's, nights, or maybe retired? Obviously some feel there needs to be a change which is fine, but bad mouthing people they don't know is just rude!

ResponsibleCitizen and Bobo-
You are both obviously intelligent, well-informed and passionate about the local issues.
.
But you disagree because you've had opposite experiences with Village Administration. While it's nice that Dennison appears friendly enough to some citizens, it's unacceptable for rude behavior toward any resident.
.
And there are others who live here besides Bobo who have had this type of experience.
.
ResponsibleCitizen-
EXCELLENT fact finding. Since Chief DeVoy was removed improperly without a vote by the Board, maybe more light will be shed on the shady goings on with this secretive Village Board.
.
I strongly believe that new people should be elected this year. Several current members have been seated for MANY years, and look where we are now. This is a ghost town with many financial problems and irresponsible spending.
.
I think Evelyn Etten will be a fantastic, no-nonsense VP. I think Craig McCue and Allen Kenyon have tried their darnedest to represent the people, but were continually thwarted by votes held during the daytime, while they were at work. They have my vote, and DebiO strikes me as intelligent and earnest as well.
.
Last of all, ResponsibleCitizen, I believe you are mistaken about Dennison's position. There are few Villages our size who pay that kind of salary. I'm talking about state-wide.

Damn straight BOBO you tell um .

BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-BoBo for VP-

Sounds like BoBo wants to be VP

You people just don’t get it do you? Metzner uses people as puppets on a string for as long as he can make you “believe” that you are his best bud. He uses others to carry out his dirty deeds! Therefore, the puppet looks like the bad guy, not Metzner! Case and point: Steve DeVoy, Craig McCue, Phil Putnam, Connie Machi, and the Kaufenberg’s. I have witnessed Metzner being best buds with all these people and for whatever reason, Metzner turned his back on them. At one meeting, he told Mrs. Kaufenberg to “sit down and shut up, she was a hateful woman”. Now, their best buds because Metzner is using her to say what he can’t due to the campaign. Mr. Putnam was the FIRST PERSON to bring the insurance FRAUD issue to light. Metzner and Putnam almost ended up in a fist fight outside the village hall, where Metzner call Putnam a “slimy little “pr_ck”. Now, they’re best buds! Metzner had all intentions of getting rid of Ms. Machi either by driving her to early retirement or causing her a have nervous breakdown. At one point, she was going to file harassment charges against Metzner. And once Metzner moved onto DeVoy as his new target, she was safe to retire. Now, by his comment in this article, it appears that Metzner is not done throwing Ms. Machi under the bus yet. He turned his back on the McCue’s over the carwash issue. And we all know how his evil ways have impacted Chief DeVoy. Get real people, Metzner is the one with the personal agenda here and Mike Maltese & Marc Dennison are just falling subject to be his next victims! Who will take who down first? They all have a reputation of such behavior…maybe it’s time to just start fresh!

Responsible Citizen:
Did you get a 34% increase lately that you support this decision? In today’s economy with wage freezes, a 34% increase is unheard of? Ms. Machi was grooming Dean Abel to take over her job as Clerk/Treasurer. Dean attended Municipal Training for a week in May or June. Thus, it was Ms. Machi’s suggestion to give Dean a 34% increase to bring his salary closer in line with hers, with the anticipation that Dean would be promoted with his new training. For the record, Dean was making $16.87/hr or $35,089.60/yr. and now he received a 34% increase (+$5.73/hr) $22.60/hr or $47,008/yr. Wow! I’d like a raise like that! Unfortunately for Dean, he was not promoted as hoped. Unfortunately for “we, the taxpayers”, we are now stuck with paying his $47K salary in addition to that of the administrators…$50K/yr. That’s a lot of money. This is the kind of ridiculous spending that our president has allowed. Many of the actions taken as a result of a “special” or “closed” board meeting did not include the full (7) person board to vote on an issue. Most of these meetings are conducted in the morning, during the work week (M-F) when the working class board members are at their jobs trying to make an honest living. Therefore, Kenyon and McCue are not available to attend or vote. So, to say that the board voted unanimously does not mean that ALL (7) board members were present to vote. Kenyon and McCue would read about these actions in their minutes after was too late to object! If you note, most motions (copied and pasted to this blog) are made by the M&M team, Zipp, Putnam, or Abbott and seconded by said same! Whenever McCue and Kenyan try to make a motion, it gets shot down with a 5/2 vote.

Responsible Citizen:
Maybe the chief did handle this investigation wrong, but as a cop, it’s his duty to investigate suspicious activity without making it a public announcement! I don’t believe his suspicions were directed at any “ONE” person(s), but he just needed to prove his suspicions were either true or false. This could have been and open and shut case, but when the cameras were found by his secretary and Ms. Machi, why didn’t they call the WCSD first if they truly felt there was a violation of the law or crime committed? Instead they called the attorney, then the VP, who called “some” of the trustees & members of the DPW staff to assist him in actions. That’s right…they failed to call WCSD wasn’t called, nor were all board members notified! So, if you want to bash people – bash all the players and don’t defend the wrong team and portray them as victims!

Responsible Citizen:
I arrived at the Dec. 1st board meeting at 6:30 p.m. & witnessed the whole thing. Metzner waited until he had enough residents in the room to make a public display and humiliate Chief DeVoy. Metzner called Officer Maltese, Administrator Marc Dennison, Trustee Curt Zipp and Chief DeVoy into the judge’s chambers and closed the door. It was then, that Chief DeVoy was handed a letter informing him of his suspension. What a way to make a debut or first impression as the new Administrator of Darien - by falling into the wrong pile of ….
It’s apparent that the board members have no clue what to call the removal of Chief DeVoy either. They have been quoted in the newspaper as “suspension” and/or “administrative leave”! It is clear that none of them have a clue what the legal implications of either term means.
I know for a FACT that McCue and Kenyon knew nothing of this activity or action until the public demonstration that night. If the rest of the board appeared calm, well, they are privy to any/all information because they are part of the “M&M” team. Furthermore, the board did not vote 100% on suspending the chief until the next morning, Dec. 2nd during a closed board meeting, in which all members were present. The only reason that McCue and Kenyon voted in favor of Chief DeVoy’s suspension was because they were LED TO BELIEVE that this suspension would not last beyond a two week period and that the board agreed to continue DeVoy’s salary during this time. Additionally, the board was “strongly advised” by the Village Attorney to vote in favor of the suspension. That’s the facts!

I am not impressed with Marc Dennison’s (lack of) professionalism. If you are going to put something to print, then make sure to proof-read it to prevent personal and public embarrassment. Additionally, I am all for recycling, but if you are going to copy, cut or paste the former clerk’s documents, at least get the date straight. During the election recount, Marc Dennison stated the wrong date(s) three times and Attny. Danz corrected him (for the record). Marc is in a political, customer based, service industry, whereby the customer is always right! Lesson 1 – don’t argue with the customers.
In Dennison’s defense and my only hope to forgive his behavior is that he has been pre-programmed by the VP as to how he should act towards certain board members (i.e. friend or foe, cooperation or opposition). Marc shouldn’t forget who employs him and if they no longer preside, he is putting himself in a very awkward and compromising position. I am certain that Marc is a very smart and educated individual; however, with little to no municipal government experience, he will only be another SCAPEGOAT for the current board, just like his predecessor. I highly doubt that this job was presented to him in true form, but rather a cake-walk in the park. Marc may not be the “one” doing the damage, but I don’t see him trying to put his moral or ethical foot forward by taking a stance to act on behalf of the citizen’s vs. continuing to be Metzner’s puppet on a string.

Responsible Citizen:
Practice what you PREACH! Get your facts straight before you jump to defending the village administration and “some” of these board members. I am shocked by your statements and obvious position. Why aren’t you running for village trustee since you have so much to say? Write yourself in as a candidate. I have been attending meetings and witnessing the VP’s betrayal for the past year. Granted, Mr. Dennison has only been following the VP’s rule since Dec. 1st, but as an adult, I would think he could decide for himself “how” to treat people. His RUDE and demeaning behavior to the “certain” trustees and the citizens is simply unacceptable in his position. During the election recount, he might as well have told people to “shut up and sit down”, just like Metzner does.

Go for it, Josh...

I was going to vote for Evelyn but now I'm not so sure...I don't want Metzner any more than a new problem...How about Allen Kenyon as a write in!

Yes, Wisconsinmom - that's you, right Evelyn Etten? I do have an agenda. We all have an agenda!! We want to get Darien moving in the right direction!
First of all, the board hired an administrator to run the daily business of the village. Is he not supposed to listen to the board? If not, is he supposed to have declared marshal law when he started on 1 December and made himself dictator for life? If you get elected, do I get to refer to you as a puppet for listening to those in charge - like the board or the citizens of Darien? And would Mr. Dennison's actions be more acceptable to you at $12K less a year?
As I said earlier, show me where the hard facts can be found. The board appointed Sgt Maltese acting chief, but they didn't vote on a pay raise for him. And it may be hard for all the Maltese bashers to believe, but maybe he accepted the responsibility of running the department because it is part of the job he agreed to do.
Here is another example of the shouting drowning out the facts. Please tell me right now that you will fire Marc Dennison if you take office so I can use that fact to weigh my decision in April.

THE DARIEN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A FAR CRY FROM BEING SELF SUFFICIENT. IT TAKES UP ALMOST 1/3 OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET...YES THEY DO GET MONIES FROM FORFEITURES AND FINES BUT IF YOU WERE AT THE LAST BUDGET MEETING THEY "RAISED THE BAR" FOR THE PD TO MEET THE # NEEDED. YES CHIEF DEVOY ACQUIRED GRANTS FROM MULTIPLE PARTIES TO ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN GETTING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT THAT THE BUDGET WOULD NOT COVER. ASK ANY POLICE CHIEF IN ANY CITY, VILLAGE OR TOWN AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THAT IN NO WAY ARE THEY SELF SUFFICIENT. UNLESS YOU HAVE DONE OR COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE JOB AT HAND FOR AN ADMINISTRATOR CLERK TREASURER YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO STATE THAT THE PERSON DOING THE JOB ONLY DESERVES A SPECIFIC WAGE. THE ADMINISTRATOR POSITION IN OTHER VILLAGES IN OUR STATE PAYS EQUAL AND MORE THAN HE IS MAKING. I WILL AGREE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED THE POSITION 5-8K LESS THAN HIS STARTING WAGE...HOWEVER MUCH LIKE YOURSELF I AM ENTITLED TO AN OPINION HOWEVER I DON'T DO HIS DUTIES EITHER.

Cornchild you certainly have your facts wrong!
Cheif Devoy's department took up most of the budget, but his department is the ONE department that is self-sufficient.. He was able to secure grants to get the department to the size it is.. He has always been a front runner on finding ways to finance his department...
Dennison is an inept, inexperienced, puppet! He had NO business getting the job at the current salary! With his inexperience he should have been paid at no more than 38K...
Everytime someone raises a concern, he has to call Connie to help him...I am sure she is way over the 30 hrs of consulting...
AND do you really think Maltease would work as "acting chief" without the pay?? He wouldn't even take off duty calls without getting paid extra...

Seems to me you have your own agenda here!

Didn't he also go from part time to full time?

Dean Abel, bookkeeper and key contact person for the Darien Water & Sewer Utility, He is also now the Deputy Clerk Treasurer...this gives him the power when the Administrator Clerk/Treasurer is out.

bfranklin...this was to be effective 8-1-08 ...it was at a regular board meeting that there were 9-10 of us citizens at.

That sounds a whole lot like some of the posting on these blogs

The board better hope the DA doesn't read the 8/18/08 minutes. The open meeting law was trampled to death. I hope everyone running gets it.

reasponsable

Where did you get the 8-1-08 unanumous vote for Dean. That must be those special meetings they hold during the day when everyone is at work. And you say ONLY $47,000 a year? Most Cleks in the county don't even make that much. Let alone a waterboy that can't even pull up a reciept on the computor for village residents.

ResponsibleCitizen
Good job

For those who are confused on the raise that Dean (the Water Guy) received he is only making
$47008 as his base salary, his duties are as they were before with the duties of Deputy Clerk/Treasurer ---------------------
Compensation for Dean Abel. James Abbott moved, seconded by Philip Putman to raise Dean to $22.60 per hour effective 8/1/08. The motion carried unanimously.

I have witnessed this on many occasions as well:

Craig McCue no, Allen Kenyon yes, Robert Wenzel yes, Phil Putman yes, James Abbott no, Kurt Zipp yes, Robert Metzner yes. The motion carried on a 5-2 vote.

FAMILY CONNECTIONS: Philip Putman, Bd. Rep. stated there was nothing to be brought forward for Board action.

HAS THERE BEEN ANYTHING TO BRING BEFORE THE BOARD SINCE PHIL HAS BEEN THE REP. FOR THE FAMILY CONNECTIONS?

NOT EVERY VOTE ENDS IN 5-2... Jim Abbott & Kurt Zipp are not monkeys they do vote in the direction that they feel best.
Dec. 30, 2008

8.) Board Trustee McCue, Abbott, and Putman discussing issue of raising or not raising sewer rates.
9.) Board Trustee Putman moves to raise the fixed charge $5.91 cents and the volume charge $1.57 per thousand gallons, seconded by Trustee Abbott.
The roll call vote was recorded as follows: Craig McCue, No; Allen Kenyon, No; Robert Wenzel, Yes; James Abbott, No; Philip Putman, Yes; Kurt Zipp, Absent; Robert Metzner, Yes. The motion failed on a 3 to 3 vote.
10.) Board Trustee McCue, Putman and Wenzel discussing McCue’s previous motion at the last Village Board Meeting and the motion before the Village Board of raising sewer rates.

Special Board Meeting of December 2, 2008
V. Open Session
A. Deliberation and/or Action on anything coming out of the closed session.
1. Kurt Zipp moved seconded by James Abbott to place Chief Steve DeVoy on suspension with pay pending the completion of an investigation and that noted that this is not disciplinary nor will it appear in his personnel file. The motion carried on a unanimous vote of the Board.
2. James Abbott moved seconded by Robert Wenzel to designate Sgt. Maltese as interim acting chief pending completion of an investigation and act in consultation with the Administrator on anything other than that which is routine administrated on a weekly basis.
B.
The Board of Trustees authorized letters to be written as to the fact that there shall not be any retaliation against Sgt. Maltese and/or Peg Moran. The Board required their attendance at this meeting; they did not have a choice.

_____________
THERE IS NO RECORD THAT THE BOARD VOTED IN MALTESE AS ACTING CHIEF--- ONLY A MOTION AND A SECOND!!!

November 24, 2008

Board Notification to Supervisory Personnel Superintendent Greg Epping, and Chief Steve DeVoy that Effective January 1, 2009 they will become Salaried Supervisors Rather than Contract Supervisors and will be Subject to the Village of Darien Employee Manual and Applicable State Statues.
Robert Metzner asked if there were any questions. Chief Steve DeVoy asked if a copy of policy manual was available, I’ve got to see the policy manual, I understand there were some revisions.
The Clerk stated that the last revision date in 2004. The Board is talking about revising it but they have not done it.
Steve said that he remembered reading in some meetings that this was subject to some revisions so that is why I am asking.
The Clerk said that is right but that was not taking into effect that notification no contracts has to be received thirty days before there, which is why this is on the agenda. Craig McCue asked if there had been any revisions since 2004 and was told no. Kurt
Zipp said the intent was is that once we get through the budget process to then look at the Personnel Manual as the next item on, as a full Board basis. Robert Metzner said and we are required to give thirty days notice to the personnel on their contracts.
Philip Putman moved seconded by Craig McCue to give written notification to supervisory personnel Superintendent Greg Epping, and Chief Steve DeVoy that effective January 1, 2009 they will become salaried supervisors rather than contract supervisors and will be subject to the Village of Darien Employee Manual and applicable State Statues. The motion carried unanimously.

Open Session
A. Deliberation and/or Action on anything coming out of the closed session.
It was the consensus of the Board that Attorney Danz will contact the W. P. P. A. regarding their letter of November 10, 2008 and coordinates a meeting between the Board of Trustees, Attorney Mark Hazelbaker, the W. P. P. A. representative and other persons they would like to meet with as soon as possible.
B. It was a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees to issue the following directives to the Chief DeVoy:
1. Kurt Zipp moved seconded by Philip Putman and unanimously approved by the Board to direct Chief DeVoy to secure all police department evidence using the police department pod with five (5) working days after completion of work required to make them ready for use.
2. James Abbott moved seconded by Philip Putman and unanimously approved by the Board to direct Chief DeVoy to provide one complete copy of the Darien Police Department Polices, and Procedures Manual to the office of the Darien Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer no later than December 1, 2008.
3. Robert Wenzel moved seconded by James Abbott and unanimously approved by the Board to direct Chief DeVoy to provide seven days (7) of dailies for all officers including you, each Monday to the office of the Darien Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer effective Monday, November 24, 2008
4. Kurt Zipp moved seconded by James Abbott and unanimously approved by the Board to direct Chief DeVoy to provide dailies for the last thirty days from November 18, 2008 for all officers including yourself no later than December 1, 2008.
5. Robert Wenzel moved seconded by Philip Putman and unanimously approved by the Board to direct Chief DeVoy to provide all dailies from March 15, 2008 to April 14, 2008 for all officers including yourself, no later than December 1, 2008.
6. James Abbott moved seconded by Robert Wenzel and unanimously approved by the Board to direct Chief DeVoy, based on the W. P. P. A. correspondence dated November 10, 2008 to have all calls from officers directed to you until further notice.

Special Board Meeting of November 18, 2008
VI. Open Session
A. Deliberation and/or Action on anything coming out of the closed session.
1. You are directed to secure all police department evidence using the police department pod within five (5) working days after completion of work required to make them ready for use.
2. You are directed to provided one complete copy of the Darien Police Department Policys and Procedures Manual to the office of Darien Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer no later than December 1, 2008.
3. You are directed to provide seven days (7) of dailies for all officers including yourself, each Monday to the office of the Darien Village Administrator/Clerk/Treasurer effective Monday, November 24, 2008.
4. You are directed to provide dailies for the last thirty days from November 18, 2008 for all officers including yourself no later than December 1, 2008.
5. You are directed to provide all dailies from March 15, 2008 to April 14, 2008 for all officers including yourself no later than December 1, 2008.
6. You are directed, based on the W. P. P. A. correspondence dated November 10, 2008 to have all calls from officers directed to you until further notice.

If you read the 11/18/08 special board minutes you will see

“Board discussed issues relating to police department records (open record requests or not). The Board was reminded that the village building, offices, records belong to the village not any department”.

“It was a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees to issue the following directives to the
Chief DeVoy:” (Read them)

Checkout the deadline given in some of these directives –December 1st. (A coincidence?)

Actually, the "bossom buddies" quote came from Trustee Zipp in an article in this paper, so I am not the only one who saw what fast friends Bob and Steve were before the blow-up. And if this whole thing with the chief and the cameras isn't about Maltese, why is he the only person on the PD ever mentioned by name in these blogs. Was the chief going after any of the other officers? And help me out here, how did Sgt Maltese get hired in the first place? Was the chief on vacation?
Thisbites, please point me at something factual I can get my hands on - somehow I think if I walked in off the street in Orfordville, Albany, or Milton and asked for dirt on one of their former officers, I wouldn't get treated well, much less given lots of disparaging information. Unless you have a badge yourself, of course. Maybe you are one of the two candidates for Sgt that got passed over. In my homework here at home in Darien I have only seen Mike Maltese act like a professional, and Ms Ames of the Gazette didn't report anything like your accusations when she looked into Maltese's past for the "Fear and Loathing" article. I just can't get past the secrecy of planting hidden cameras.

JohnDoe don't bother me ,now i will put you on ignore.

ccccornchild-

Sorry to stutter, but Holy cannoli!

Devoy was Metzner's BEST FRIEND? You HAVE to be kidding on EVERYTHING you said!

You have not read about the gianormous grants the chief got into this village - EVERY YEAR - and came in below his budget? Look in the family connections newsletter! His budget every year came out less than what was allowed. THAT's A FACT!!!!!!!! Look it up.

You said, "The cameras were an attempt by the chief to get some dirt on Maltese to further his own agenda." Who are YOU to assume that? Why don't you do your homework and find how many lives and careers have been ruined in his past short-lived periods at police stations all over this county?

I did. Talk to Orfordville, Albany, and Milton police guys. Careers ruined.

Your 'contacts' believe meetings were posted. Don't think there would be charges pressed unless there was proof, so your 'contacts' can't be trusted.

You might want to open your mind a little to new possibilities....

klick....there's 50,000 comedians out of work...and you're trying to be one? Give it up.

I tried to talk my wife into buying a case of Miller Light for $14.95.
Instead, she bought a jar of cold cream for $7.95.
I told her the beer would make her look better at night than the cold cream.

...and that's when the fight started.

smittyj17-
You are correct.

The chief placed cameras because he had a concern, if the Walworth sheriffs did not agree, the cameras would not have been lent to him.

You seem to be the only person who gets that.

If Board Memebers were surprised and voted according to what they were told, maybe its because the village attorney was telling them what to do and they were intimidated by what they thought was the "LAW".

And the VILLAGE LAWYER was the guy who said the chief should be suspended - NOT the board. He recommended it to the Board so they all thought it was a big legal issue and thus voted accordingly, without proof or details of the allegations.

I think Lawyer Danz wants to keep his 'cushy' job here in Darien, he doesn't seem to know what he's doing but he knows a cash cow when he sees one.

Why does he repeatedly cost the Village more money and 'contract out' to other lawyers who DO know what they're doing??

(ex: Hazelbaker from Madison, who is currently looking for a needle in a haystack to 'get' our Chief of Police)

Get rid of the Village Attorney and find a good one.

cornchild if you read online news papers you will find fighting all over the place, Rockford fighting with the Mayor the Chief of Police ,Roscoe Il--So Beloit --Town of Beloit ,
Beloit the School Board, Beloit some of our council people it is a mess all over . it just never quits . and now i go to bed Thanks again.

My contacts in the village tell me they believe the meetings were posted. I cannot say that the proper procedure was followed as far as notifying the public about the content of the agenda for the meetings. The judge will have to figure that out.
The cameras were found December 1st. The chief was told to stay away from the village hall until the full board could meet to discuss the situation. On December 2nd they voted unaminously to suspend the chief. Marc Dennison was not consulted, he was told what actions the village government was taking.
I am mystified by the comments that the chief was never told why he was on suspension. He had to know. I suspect the chief himself is feeding information to someone on theses blogs to help make his case for reinstatement. Frankly, I think Steve DeVoy is the smartest politician this village has seen in years. We scream about the budget, but never talk about how his department is responsible for more than half of it. He was Bob Metzner's best friend, and was right by his side when Bob put in the claims for the water damage. Steve always seemed to get what he wanted for the PD. Then he turned around and tried to get Bob in trouble for it, presumably because he didn't get his way on Sgt Maltese's promotion. The cameras were an attempt by the chief to get some dirt on Maltese to further his own agenda. Everyone seems to be taking sides, but I think the truth is that Metzner and the chief both need taken to be taken to task about this mess.
I agree with BoBo about the need to revitalize the downtown and try to move forward as a community. But are we going to go down the same path we did years ago when we went through clerk after clerk until Connie Machi finally settled in? Marc Dennison is a qualified public servant, but he is new to the job and needs to get more training and experience. I don't see how the threatening and bullying I read on these blogs is going to help that.
By the way, I think Mike Maltese isn't getting extra pay to be acting chief, just doing more work, so we aren't paying two chiefs.

cornchild I mised the s on thanks..hot damn

cornchild thank for the names . you have done your civic duty..........................

FINALLY!
It's about time Board Members are called to account.

(I do not include members McCue or Kenyon in this statement.) Mc Cue and Kenyon have consistently voted FOR the residents, but they are always being out-voted by 5 other board members who ignore the very people they were elected to represent.

At least 4 of those Board Members have been in office for way too many years and need to step aside, because of the state they put this Village in ver all these years. Gotta give credit to Bobo for calling to attention that - at meeting after meeting, there is NO NEW BUSINESS TO REPORT from one Board Memeber who is on SEVERAL comittees!

It's time for new minds and thoughts on the Board so we residents can get out of this mess.

The Police Chief issue is also of concern, not only because of the way it was mis-handled, but the length of time involved to get a reason why they did it, and their failure to tell the guy why he was removed from his job.

If you get removed from your job you should at least know why. VERY unprofessional of the Village of Darien.
Not only that, but paying two 'Chiefs' at the same time? Not good.

I believe the day of the old timers is gone - let's get some new talent on the Village Board and get Darien in the BLACK instead of the RED for a change.

I saw Bobo's post, and she is RIGHT ON. (read it) She is smart and logical.

As a resident, taxpayer, and concerned citizen, I will vote for Craig McCue, Debi Olmstead, Evelyn Etten, and Allen Kenyon.

You need not agree, but I think they are the most honest, and the ones who really care about our Village future without any 'agendas' of their own.

Sad to say, but one of the other female candidates seems bitter and focused on herself and her own agenda.

Thank you

Robert Metzner, Robert Wenzel kinda old dudes ain't they ? you no me inquiry minds want to no.

gotta love that there WCCA.......huh
the grammer cops ought to have fun with this post.

I am not a Darien resident but have followed these articles very closely. Wasn't the suspension of the Chief a surprise to some of the board members? I may be mistaken but I am almost positive that when his suspension was announced more than one board member was surprised, leading me to believe they had not made any vote to suspend him. I still don't see the logic how people believe the Police Chief should have notified people he thought were breaking the law that he was having cameras placed to investigate their possible wrong doings.

Hang on - Metzner 'doesn't remember' a CATERED meeting? And he blames neglect of posting all 3 meetings on Connie?
Wow.
Did not know Darien held 'catered meetings'. Not real happy about it either, especially when the budget's so tight.
Thank you to whoever filed that complaint.

amen

Robert Metzner, Robert Wenzel, Craig McCue, James Abbott, Phil Putman, Kurt Zipp and Allen Kenyon. That's what seven - zero means. even Craig and Allen saw the need for the suspension when the cameras were discovered. Reagardless of anything else he's done for the village, Steve DeVoy made a mistake handling his "investigation" the way he did.

ResponsibleCitizen who were the 7 that voted against the Chief name them . either by name or screen name .

if you have been ridiculed, slandered, and degraded by a village employee or trustee...you have every right to file a Formal Complaint against said person. As for an employee it will be put in their permanent file and reviewed by their supervisor...as for a board member it can be brought forth to the Agenda @ an OPEN meeting if you bring it to the administrator...Make record of wrong doings or nothing can be done. Mr. Dennison did not suspend the Chief, The Board voted 7-0 on that one.

Forgot about me one943

Have to disagree with that one responsablecitizen. I think you would be very suprised at some of the things I have heard him say and do. He could be getting in alot of trouble because he won't stand up for what is right. Its like he was pre-programmed before taking the job. This whole thing with the Chief is a revenge thing for Metzner, because of no more ride a longs and because Chief wanted to prolong Metzners little buddies probation period. Among alot of other things. Dennison as far as I know has never even said hi to the Chief and yet he has an adminastrative leave on him? Note: when they had the secret meeting, that was catered (which I believe) was on tax payers dollars, every employee was invited but Chief DeVoy. I agree with you on alot of things responsable, but I agree with BoBo on this one. Even heard a citizen went in to speak to him and was told " I don't want him in my office" well guess what Marc, That citizen pays for your office!! Buh Bye

repeatedly ridiculed, slandered, and degraded
Isn't that what BoBo &/or DebiO are doing on these blogs?

BoBo--
"Their efforts are repeatedly ridiculed, slandered, and degraded in public by Metner, Dennison, and a "new" candidate."------ If you can find the proof show it but I'd put my bottom dollar down that Mark Dennison has not "ridiculed, slandered, and degraded" anyone or anything...Posting such a comment can be held as libel and you can be held accountable...Mark Dennison has only done the job he was hired for; He answers to the Board as a whole not just Bob Metzner.

The VP is responsible for posting. The clerk usually does it but that does not take away his responsibility

SarahB isn't it fun to throw in a barb or gotcha ever once in a while .

As for the article itself, who is responsible for posting the notice? Sounds like the clerk was doing that but now is retired. Who's responsibility is it now to put up the posting? I would like those questions addressed/answered in the article. Maybe it was an oversight, not a conspiracy.

Sounds like there are a few problems in Darien. If there is to be any change people need to take action to change and not just complain about it. Run to be on the board. Go out there and campaign for people to vote for you. Go out and vote for someone new. Just seems many like to just complain, but then again that is what the blog on the paper has become.
As for the lack of growth in Darien, I can't recall the last time downtown was "booming". The lack of growth can't be totally blamed on the current board.

Unfortunately we will have to wait untill April 7th to see how much anyone really cares about the leadership here in the village; that is the only way change will come, for the good or bad.

It's to bad McCue didn't have the open meetings law instead of Robert's Rules of Order. All his jumping up could have saved him some money.

BoBo,

I think you have nailed it right on the head. That was awesome!!!

People just do not understand that if they keep reelecting these people they are going to get the same thing, (nothing). Need new blood and new thinking by the next generation. The old board actually thinks that they are doing this community well, but in reality it is being torn apart piece by piece. They need to step down and get some fresh minds in there. The only thing I can figure out why they won’t is because there are way to many skeletons in the closet and they don't want those closet doors opened. Geralyn Trucky and Shane Spoo tried opening those closets and look what happened to them. I hope and pray that McCue and Kenyon can hold on. And if Debi and Evi get in; there is hope.

Look where Wenzle, Abbott, Zipp and Puttman have gotten us in all the years they have sat on the bench. We are broke, high property taxes, ridiculous water bills, paying union wages for less than mediocre work. But the employees are happy, oh yes, they sit back collecting their huge paychecks and benefits and laugh at us. Time For A Change !!!!!

I have not seen a witch hunt since 1975 for Delavan's Police Chief.Hope that Metzner get a heavy fine.

I was not shocked with that bunch of pin heads on the board.

I hope the DA's office will take this issue serious for once. The residents of Darien are trying to stress the seriousness and the current level of corruption in Darien. Light is being shed & people are being informed of the current board activites in Darien.

The duty of a trustee is - to inform the people - to gain as much information as they need to make an informed & intelligent decision. It is not their duty to hide issues from the citizens, to hold meetings without proper public notification, or to be rude & defensive to "certain" citizens for asking "why" or "how" something is the way it is. Instead of getting so defensive, answer the question & inform the citizens. Defensive & offensive responses from Metzner or Dennison scream "secrecy, wrong-doing, or lack of intelligence". Thus, raising more questions, more doubt, & establishing less credibility for our current leaders. Your actions & verbal abuse sets both of you up for your own demise.

People should not sit on a board or be a member of a committe - meeting after meeting with "nothing to report". If that's the case, then business is NOT being conducted. Why meet? Why collect a paycheck (with taxpayer's money) for attending meetings that nothing gets accomplished? Now, you understand the lack of growth in the downtown business area. Think about how our town could be thriving if all this negative energy was re-directed to the growth and development of Darien instead of trying to ruin it.

We will never be able to turn this town around if someone with more authority won't hold the current board accountable. Years of mismanagment is what has gotten us into this mess. Yet, the new board will have a tough job trying to recover our integrity after all the damage has been done. It surely will not be an easy task for any of them, nor will they please "all" the residents with their decisions. In order for change to happen, you need to "change up" the board. As it stands right now, two board members are fighting in favor "of the people", which always ends in a 5/2 vote. Their efforts are repeatedly ridiculed, slandered, and degraded in public by Metner, Dennison, and a "new" candidate. If anyone on these blogs thinks they are more capable of fixing this mess than the current candidates, then by all means, you should put your candidacy papers in for next year & stop degrading the candidates that you don't even know...

Business thrives best with diversity. Diversity equals change, people of all walks of life, education, aptitudes, knowledge, professions, and experiences. No "one" person is any better than another. We each bring our strengths to the table & expand with collaborative efforts. THAT, is what Darien needs!

I will end with a quote and a lesson I learned many years ago from a band instructor: "A question is not a "dumb" question if you do not know the answer. That is how you learn!"

Wow ... a whole lot of somebodies are in troubleeeeeeeeee!