Thank you Mr Angus. This will be a much nicer place with williepeter gone

Good riddance, williepeter. Don't let the door hit ya...

Hey Willie: did you break the rules?

Whatever Scott, why don't you tell me what was not clean in my last comment. This paper only reports one side of the story, thus hiding the truth. Hide behind your excuses and keep the truth from coming out. Maybe the Delavan enterprise will allow the truth to come out. I'm done with this toilet paper.........peace out.

No, williepeter, the removal of your comment had nothing to do with hiding the truth, abridging free speech or whatever you want to claim.

You broke our rules, again, and your comment was removed as a result.

In case you are interested, here is the applicable rule:

- "Keep it clean. Comments that are obscene, vulgar or sexually oriented will be removed. Creative spelling of such terms or implied use of such language is banned, also."

Note, especially, the part about creative spelling and implied use of such language.

Scott W. Angus
Editor

I can't believe that comments are removed from a blog. Must be something worth reading if it's been removed. Put 'em back up.....we wanna read 'em.

My comment was clean and had a lot of valid points, but it was removed because it had the truth in it. You can't get the truth here...that's not allowed.

WOW....removed again. This paper can't handle the truth being posted. Free speech, the 1st amendment......it doesn't apply here.

I can't answer that question one943. I have not been privy to discussions between the Board and their counsel. I am commenting on the statements published and attributed to either their corp counsel or a Board member.

I'm sure there are-behind-the scenes goings on. I haven't checked into the Hazelbaker firm. I also don't know what their involvement is with the Village Board. I don't know if they're simply handling the computer file aspect or if they're more deeply involved.

What I do know is what the statutes say. And the statements I've seen indicating that Devoy needs to request a hearing simply are not in accordance with statutes. It seems that those comments are referring to a subsection of the statutes that do not apply in this case.

Copperguy
Help me understand

Hazelbaker & Associates

1 Have held the Villages hand though the whole Chief thing

2 Is a well respected Madison Law Firm

3 Has sue Municipalities for firing Police Officers ( successful I understand)

So the sixty four dollar question is:

Would Hazelbaker & Associates knowingly give the Village bad advice risking their reputation & a lawsuit?

This doesn’t make sense to me

Copperguy: I agree with what you’re saying. If you look back to the records release issue in which DeVoy attempted to block the release before he viewed and augmented the records, I believe it fits in line with what you’re saying. Judge Kennedy made comment – something to the effect that he see’s DeVoy’s point of view but the law is the law and he had no other choice but to grant the release of the records because of state statute permitting it to happen. I think everyone needs to remain cogent of the fact that DeVoy can make an appeal to the Walworth County Circuit Court. If an appeal is made, something of this nature could easily reinstate DeVoy due to error on the part of the village attorneys.
At face value it appears that DeVoy has made the appropriate request for a hearing otherwise they wouldn’t be scheduling one and he would have just been considered terminated. Copperguy is right in the interpretation of the statutes. DeVoy is entitled to “due process” and a hearing must take place no later than 30 days after the village received notice. By my math, that time period has expired.

There is one thing to consider in support of the theory that negotiations are ongoing. If I were in Chief Devoy's shoes I would probably be asking my attorney about going to court for an injunction to order the suspension lifted. Since that hasn't happened, there may be ongoing negotiations.

There may, indeed, be negotiations. I have only addressed what is being stated publicly. And that appears to fly in the face of the statutes.

If there are negotiations, that might come into play as a "mitigating factor" during jury deliberations on damages. But, I see nothing in the statutes that allows for any negotiating to extend the timeline for a hearing. I invite anyone who sees otherwise in the statutes to point me to it.

If any negotiations fall apart, the bottom line is that the Village did not act in accordance with state law. The Village has not even appointed anyone to hear the matter, as far as I can tell from what's been presented. Such appointment would have come at a meeting of the Village Board, in open session. How can there be negotiations on time for a hearing if the person or persons who will conduct the hearing haven't been appointed? That person or panel will be the ones to set the date and time...not the Village Board.

copperguy – I think that the comment posted by hsprdp1117 is valid. Whether the article quoted Danz incorrectly or whether Danz misquoted who requests the hearing does not alter what it really happening. I am sure that the respective attorneys are in the process of working out the details regarding the upcoming hearing. Those details would not be in an article at this stage. When the hearing date is set I’m sure we will see it in announced in the paper. I just wonder if DeVoy will back out of the hearing at the very last minute and leave his supporters hanging? I can’t imagine DeVoy putting himself out there at a public hearing. The records that are now public record are really damning.

hsprdp: There is nothing in this article - or others - indicating that any time limits have been waived. My comment is about the statement from Danz in this article stating, "DeVoy has 30 business days from April 3 to request a disciplinary hearing," (third sentence from the end). That simply is not supported by the statutes. Nor do the statutes allow for any negotiating on the timeline. The hearing will occur not less than 10 days nor more than 30 days after the charges are served, which was on April 3, according to statements attributed to Mr. Danz.

Well williepeter Officer Maltese most be one heck of a guy if he can cause all the trouble you claim he did. In other words your town board and lawyers didn't have a thing to do with DeVoy's being fired. In your eyes everything is because of Officer Maltese. I have done research on Officer Maltese. It seems that many small towns that have had the same chief of police for years, and turn their backs on the wrong doings of these chiefs. The good old boy theory.

copperguy: I get the feeling you think the attorneys for the Village don't know what they're doing. "So they STILL think Chief Devoy has to request a hearing?!?!" was your quote from May 2, 2009, at 7:33 p.m. I've also seen past posts from you regarding the deadline for the hearing and that the Village and their attorneys are going to blow that deadline. Has anyone ever heard of parties involved in legal proceedings WAIVING certain rights...like time limits? It's my understanding that that is exactly what has happened in this situation. Devoy's attorneys waived the time limits on his behalf. Everyone can calm down now about the Village not having Devoy's hearing within the time limits! For crying out loud...

bumblebee
If you really believe what you just wrote, you are completely blind. If you think for one second that Maltese isn't behind EVERYTHING that is going on in this village, you are sooo wrong. Funny how NOBODY needed a lawyer BEFORE Maltese arrived in Darien, NOW everybody has one. Do the math, it's so simple.

Bumblebee: do the research on Maltese. He has created the same problems in every community he's ever stepped foot in.

I think DeVoy's public silence is just the calm before the storm, and I think it's going to be a big one!

To willepeter - I don't understand why you blame officer Maltese for all the problems in Darien, He didn't fire the chief,, he didn't rule your board members, he didn't send the emails, he didn't plant the cameras, he didn't have an illicit affair. and, he didn't promote himself. It's time DeVoy grew up, admitted what he did was wrong, and let Darien get back on the right track.

1moreview you stated:
“I commend Etten for her willingness to serve the residence of Darien. I agree that she is trying to save money. What I do question is how lowering the legal bills is really going to benefit us in the long run. She hasn’t even been brought up to speed yet. How does changing counsel now and reinstating DeVoy save money in the long run? The reinstatement of DeVoy will bring heavy lawsuits and very high damages that will affect our pockets.”

What is wrong with a plan to reduce the number of legal firms we have to deal with and reduce the amount of legal fees from $113,000 (Danz) to $25,000 - $35,000 (or even worse case $50,000/yr) with new council that would do both general and municipal court issues? Do the math, seems like a no brainer to me. Danz’s bills have ranged between $7,000 – 8,000 per month for the past year…long before the DeVoy issue started…unless there is something we don't know about the “witch hunt” and the hunt began long before Dec. 1st. Danz has been milking our cow for far too many years, just like all the committees created and paying PP $120/month to attend 4 committees that he never had anything to report on! THAT’s a waste of taxpayers money! Finally, when did Ms. Etten EVER state that “she” was reinstating DeVoy? I think she has been pretty clear that her position is/has been “let the punishment fit the behavior”. You are making a lot of assumptions with your comments that are not factual. If you are unclear of her position…why don’t you ask her yourself instead of assuming her plans or attitudes?

You also stated "Konopski wanting to talk to the reporter is really immaterial. The facts are the facts. Maybe the paper considers that Konopski’s really can’t add to the story."

Immaterial? He was fired while serving his country and they still won't contact him and tell him why. Are you okay with that? I am appalled! Isn't there a "Support Our Troops" sign in the village hall window? It would be very interesting to know who made that decision. I think they made a federal offense, and yes, Konopski is well within his rights to sue.
I think you should check out all sides to the story personally so you have an informed opinion.

Does anyone see the writing on the walls? The Chief gets railroaded out, an Officer gets fired while on active duty in the military for NO REASON, now the village prosecutor resigns. It's doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure this out. Bob Metzner as his last great act as VP fires Konopski.....and you don't think THAT was motivated by Maltese? Metzner had months before Konopski left for service to counsel, reprimand, or terminate his employment. Maltese knew he couldn't get the new board to do his dirty work, so he had Bobby boy and company do it before they were booted out the door. That doesn't seem suspicious to anyone? Get a copy of Lettenberger's letter and the truth will be told just in his reasonings to quit. The next time you go to the post office, check the side.....the name may have been changed to DeVoyville.

1moreview
You stated what would Konopski have to add to this story that would be relavant? I don't know......maybe the truth......since he's a big part of the story! That's called getting both sides. Did you graduate high school or are you still working on that? Common sense would tell you to seek both sides of the story to get to the ACTUAL TRUTH, not just what ONE SIDE wants the public to know. I can't believe this is so hard to understand.
Konopski is STILL trying to contact the village police department with NO response. That's how professional they are, fire a guy while he's gone serving his country so you don't have to face him. He's home for almost a week now.....how long does it take to summon up the courage to tell the guy he got screwed? After this week, he'll let his lawyers do the talking. Good luck Darien, the FEDS are coming soon with their lawsuits......and it's really gonna hurt your wallets.

Dreamer2- I think we should all respect our elders!!!

1moreview: you need to go to the source (Greg Strohm). He works for the City of Delavan Police Department F/T. He'll tell you what he reported to DeVoy and that the WCSO misreported what he and DeVoy conveyed to them. As a matter of fact, I'll bet you find even more reporting errors to include the findings of our village attorney (Danz). He's an attorney and not an investigator, thank goodness!

1more,

Check out the records "DeVoy did Lie"
You should ask GS directly about this alleged lie. And while your at it Check the old minutes to the meetings and see if you can count how many times Danz lied. Start way back at the Los thing and work your way up. Besure to check the part where he says I did not give Red Cunningham Counsel. And then ask the prosicutor who defended Red. You need to start getting your facts straight. All this village is to Danz is a money machine, and he doesn't give a crap about anyone in this village. Why can't the old board members except that the people have voted for change? Are they scared about the skelitons in the closets. After all they are the ones who got us in this situation. (Bankrupcy)

If Konopski has been terminated, he already has a winnable case. We - at least I - don't know if he has been terminated or if that is going to be handed over to a commission-type person or panel. If the Village Board's action is considered final, then they have terminated his employment without due process. If he was terminated for non-disciplinary reasons, then there are other statutory provisions that still must be considered and obeyed.

I am not familiar with Los. Was Los a police officer? Can you send me information off-line, since it's not related to present discussions, please?

As to whether or not Chief Devoy - or anyone else - lied, I will wait for the evidence to be presented. That could be criminally actionable. Since I have seen no criminal accusations against Chief Devoy, I am skeptical of the claim. Since there has been no information about such lies in the charges against Chief Devoy, I am all the more skeptical. It seems as though the investigation by the village's attorneys has been fairly thorough. I can't imagine they would not accuse him of misleading officers if they thought there were evidence of such.

Yiotta, what does age have to do with the comments? FYI: A person is 81 until they get to 82, then they wait a year for 83. Check your facts.

copperguy - You must look back to 2003-2004. At that time legal counsel Danz and Hazelbacker gave direction to the board about Los. Their direction was sound and Los didn’t get one dime from the village. I believe that their direction regarding cameras and the rest is sound. In that case DeVoy and Konopski do not have a case that will hold up in court. In fact once their lawyers get a look at all the findings they will probably advise them that they can’t win a case. Just for the record, according to the WCSO public records DeVoy did lie. Check it out for yourself.
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I believe DeVoy will have a hearing. I will have to wait and see. Your comments on the lawsuits to follow are very informative. Based on what you have written I am sure this will all take place much further down the road then I thought. Thank you for your comments. My opinion regarding lawsuits has changed.

willepeter - Konopski wanting to talk to the reporter is really immaterial. The facts are the facts. Maybe the paper considers that Konopski’s really can’t add to the story.

oplease – I am concerned about possible lawsuits. I don’t really know what will happen and neither do you. As taxpayers we will just have to hope for the best and wait and see. As to my accusations they were derived from Det. Kilpin’s report. Why don’t you get a copy and then we can discuss how each of us interrupted it. I must confess that I don’t see whether I have a daytime job or not should be an issue.

Thanks for your opinion 1moreview but perhaps you should keep you daytime job (if you have one). You seem so worried about people sueing for DeVoy's actions. Maybe you should be more worried about DeVoy and Konopski sueing - they have ligit reasons. The camera suits are hallarious as well as your accusations that he lied to the WCSO.

keepitrealnow – I appreciate your question. I believe that the reinstatement will open us as well as the county up for more liability with the hidden camera situation. DeVoy says he told the county certain information that precipitated their placements of the camera without a court order. DeVoy lied to the county. With him back it is probable that two or more will file against Darien & county. Can’t forget harassment either. My opinion they would be at great cost.

1moreview
You appearantly only care about one sided stories too. What would Konopski add? What do you think he would add? The truth maybe. Your the one who needs to get a clue. He has tried to contact this reporter atleast 3 different times. She could care less about reporting the whole story as she never returned his calls. So get all the facts before shooting off this garbage that you write.

1moreview: I'm curious why you claim there will be lawsuits if Chief Devoy is reinstated? Are you surmising that they will be the claims against the Village by employees. As was discussed ad nauseum in earlier forums, those claims seem baseless to me. The cameras were in a public place, where there can be no expectation of privacy. Where there is no expectation of privacy, there can be no invasion of privacy. No warrant is required to surveil a public place.

If Chief Devoy is terminated without a hearing, then he is certain to receive damages from the Village for Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations, among others. It will be a case brought in Federal court, where damage limitations are much higher than in State Court.

So, when considering lawsuits against the Village, you have two possibilities. One, in which some employees sue for violations that are nonexistent. The other, in which Chief Devoy sues for violations which are clear cut. And, considering the damage done Chief Devoy's reputation and employability, the damages are likely to be substantial.

Will he "own the Village?" Definitely not. It will likely never go to trial. The insuror for the Village will hire counsel to defend. Interrogatories will ensue, followed by depositions. There will be motions for summary judgement. I think the Village is likely to lose the case on summary if Chief Devoy's attorneys file such a motion. There may be voluntary arbitration. And there will be settlement negotiations which will likely be the final outcome.

1moreview-how will reinstating DeVoy cause lawsuits? And no, you don't get on my nerves, I take what you say for exactly what it is...your opinion. So if I come back and don't agree with you that doesn't mean you got on my nerves, I just feel that I may be a bit more open minded than you.

yiotta – I will answer questions to what do don’t understand on my blogs.
I have insulted people who has been viciously insulting both citizens and our employees.
I call people names because I am responding to them in “kind”
My problem is with people that do not want another view point and do not want to discuss or consider the facts.
I am not in anyone pocket.
My mind is open to other views and facts that can be proven.
yiotta, thank you for answering my question.
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In reference to new people trying to making a change, yes they are but tell me what they are really trying to change? I commend Etten for her willingness to serve the residence of Darien. I agree that she is trying to save money. What I do question is how lowering the legal bills is really going to benefit us in the long run. She hasn’t even been brought up to speed yet. How does changing counsel now and reinstating DeVoy save money in the long run? The reinstatement of DeVoy will bring heavy lawsuits and very high damages that will affect our pockets. I know the answer is not an easy one. I read “onthefence” blog yesterday. Did you? The percentages were eye opening. In my opinion “onthefence” had a valid point.
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On your Wenzel comment - Yes, I know Wenzel is in his 80’s. Your term “obsessive” is call “dedication”. Like you and I, he has lived his whole life in Darien area. I don’t know about any “failed businesses” but he is very knowledgeable about many things. We are a society that doesn’t seem to value what our elders have to offer. I think that life’s experiences, coupled with common sense and intelligence, are very beneficial to our community. I think Wenzel has a lot to offer our community. We should be thankful for his willingness to serve.

Who are the intelligent people? Why do you keep picking on 1moreview? Did he hit some nerves?

1moreview - "Exactly what don't I understand?"

Why you insult people who don't agree with you.
Why you call people names.
What is your problem.
Why you want the cost of living in Darien to rise.
Whose pocket are you in?

Why not crack open your narrow mind, air it out, and get some perspective?

Does that answer your question?

These new people are trying to make a change. Etten did her homework and was preparing to save citizens money by lowering their legal costs.
Why wouldn't you want the costs in Darien lowered?

Do you know that Wenzel is 83 years old? He has been obsessive about his involvement in village politics even though he had failed businesses. How does that do the village any good?

He's part of the reason why this village is in dire straits, we have crumbling and decrepid old buildings in our downtown. That happened on his watch.

He won't quit and let newer minds take the helm and improve the lives of residents. How selfish an old man is he?

Get your facts straight.

SarahB I think a chill pill is what the 1moreview guy needs. He blogs every 5 minutes but he has no logical viewpoint he just slams everybody else.

Is a "chill pill" an opiate or a benzodiazepine/barbituate? Just curious.

oplease – I must have hit a raw nerve! Which nerve was it? I really need to catch Jay Leno on I will also say good night.

1moreview: like I said before, people are tired of reading your crap. Get a job or a hobby and let some intelligent people with constructive advice take up your space. Good night!

yiotta – so you don’t like all caps used to emphasis something. I accept that. Exactly what don’t you understand? Is it that you don’t believe the facts or you choose to ignore them? I admit that I quoted this and that. Are you critical of the “this & thats” or just the fact that I blog?

citizenofdarien- Like I said on the other page- Thank you for sharing. Let's focus on putting this Village back together instead of ripping it apart. Work together people!!!!

BTW- what happened to WakeUp. Those were some good comments!!!

I thought I would share the quote of the day-
Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each one of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.
- Robert F. Kennedy

Hard to tell thats what you were attempting to communicate 1moreview. You quoted this and that, threw a few capital letters around for good measure, but you appear hysterical.
In your own words "Get a life and use your time to take some writing classes. You really do need a lot of help communicating with others and making yourself understood."

WiSpedTeacher –You don’t read very well. I address the property tax comment to “bigmama101”. By the way “chill pills” are GREAT!!! You should ask your doctor for some.

1more..
Take a chill pill will you? Your rants and raves are not becoming...
When did I ever pay taxes? Umm..I have lived in this village as a homeowner for the past 9 years!

williepeter – when did Konopski try to reach the Paper? What exactly does he have to say that would add to the information that has come out in the papers. He hasn’t worked for the village for 4+ months.
By the removal of your blogs, I would say you need to take it down an octave or two so you can continue to express yourself in a more respectable manner. OK then I look forward to hearing from you.

oplease – I hate to break it to you but I am NOT JOSH. I’m with you – you also need to find something else to do with your time. Why do my comments threatened you? I just offer my opinions and information I have taken the time to find out. You seem to get very up tight when another opinion that differs from yours is offered? My latest blogs were not even directed to you per say. They made statements and I simply responded.

1moreview: Josh, you need to find something else to do with your time. We've seen and heard enough out of you. Why don't you go back to being responsiblecitizen!

Konopski has tried to contact this paper several times. I guess they only want one side of the story. Great reporting.

williepeter - you would not know the truth if it hit you between the eyes. And whats the matter, didn't the press talk to you? Poor baby! They didn't talk to me either. Are you insinuating that the "press" pays for their comments or are you insinuating the Danz pays them?

Konopski was fired April 20th but you said he wouldn't be back from his military duty until May 1st. May 1st was Friday so lets see, that must be mean that Maltese & Dennison have had, maybe, 8 hrs. now to notify him if they even have to. You are a joke that just keeps on giving more LAUGHS then anyone else.

bigmama101 – another thing what are you babbling about “Danz might sue”. How absolutely ridiculous a statement. and to further say Metzner “told them no”. It sounds to me you are the only one with a grudge match. Maybe you should follow your own advice you have given other – get out of here, or at least off the blogs. Get a life and use your time to take some writing classes. You really do need a lot of help communicating with others and making yourself understood.

bigmama101 – this information is for you too! WiSpedTeacher - @11.16 a.m. on 5/3 you wrote “so while we pay $250/Hr to have legal counsel...” and then @12:43 p.m. on 5/3 you wrote “no I did not say that...however $250/Hr is an average....”. Are you ever correct on anything you blog? I THINK NOT!!! Danz charges $90/Hr. for work done for our village. He charges $125 for charge back work he does for individuals or developers. Speaking of charge backs, ask McCue’s if they ever paid their bill for legal and engineering consultants services that were provided during a meeting with the DOT on the property they purchased on Hwy. 14; better yet do some investigative work and look at the minutes of board during that time frame. It was over $700 and I have found nothing that indicates they paid it. I guess your taxes went up because of that! So now that you know the fact on the hourly rate charged and that again you were TOTALLY wrong once again.

You can take this information to "THE BANK". By the way when did you ever pay property taxes to the village? NEVER

The truth hurts.

Wow, I was removed by staff again. That was quick.

I AM tired of them[board members] trying to railroad are Police Department they has been trying to ruin this town -nothing is been done about our President impersonate a police officer is that ok - as for email you will have to fire them all -I won't put it past Mezner on putting them on the computers himself

janesvillean, do tell.

A straightforward application of the law would solve this rather more neatly. Unfortunately, it appears to be perpetuated by people taking sides.

I think Danzs comments are disturbing. He is the guy who is raking in money off Darien and getting rich quick and he is dissing a respected man.
Too bad we lost another good guy and are stuck with Danz.

So they STILL think Chief Devoy has to request a hearing?!?! Good God! I wonder if that's part of the reason Ms. Etten sought new corporation counsel? I guess if I were an attorney serving as prosecutor for a Village that doesn't care about state law, I would ditch also!

Good for him for standing up for his principles.
I think it makes a bold statement that does too have relevence.