• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Trial about meetings violations pending for Darien Village Board

ELKHORN — A trial could be months away for members of the Darien Village Board accused of violating Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law.

Attorneys for the two sides still are negotiating, former board member Phil Putman said.

"So far, we have not reached a resolution, but we are still talking," Assistant Walworth County District Attorney Diane Donohoo wrote in an e-mail to The Janesville Gazette.

In a status hearing Tuesday, Walworth County Judge Robert Kennedy set an Aug. 11 status hearing in front of Judge John Race. Race could set a date for a trial at that time.

Kennedy was unable to find a trial date in his calendar that suited both parties, he said.

Seven people have been charged with violations: Bob Metzner, Bob Wenzel, James Abbott, Phil Putman, Kurt Zipp, Craig McCue and Allen Kenyon.

The charges are not criminal, but each man faces three counts, each carrying a forfeiture of $25 to $300.

The violations, according to sheriff's office investigative records obtained by the Gazette, are:

-- Not posting notice of an Oct. 24 session during which board members interviewed candidates for village administrator.

-- Posting incomplete notices for Oct. 27 and Nov. 18 closed session meetings.

The board members maintain they were not responsible for posting the agendas. Retired Clerk Connie Machi was the village clerk at the time.

McCue and Wenzel have retained attorneys. The others are representing themselves. Metzner, Kenyon and Putman are no longer on the board.

In early April, board members refused Donohoo's settlement offer of a guilty plea and a $100 fine.