Judge Puts Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore Back in Her Office, Threatens Trustees, Administration with Contempt

Grafton Township Supervisor leaving of the McHenry County Courthouse with her attorney, John Nelson, and husband David.

The hearing before Judge Michael Caldwell Tuesday was supposed to be about Moore’s attempt to move phone lines so she could answer them off-site.

Friday Judge Thomas Meyer had ordered telephones to be under the control of Grafton Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, but since Township Supervisor Linda Moore’s attorney was in another court due to the short-noticed request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), Meyer scheduled for a Tuesday hearing before Caldwell, who has Moore’s separation of powers case.

Tuesday’s hearing turned out to be as much on Moore’s having been moved out of her office by order of the Township Trustees and newly-hired Pam Fender’s having been moved into Moore’s former space than about mere telephone access.

The Trustees’ motion for a TRO to prevent Moore from switching the phone service from the township office is part of Moore’s separation of powers case being heard by Judge Michael Caldwell.

This is the same judge that put the kabash on the Trustees’ and former Supervisor John Rossi’s attempt to build a new township hall without adequate notice, and ordered a November referendum on whether voters want a new $3.5 million ($5 million with interest) township hall.

But, let’s cut to the chase. Read the court order’s language for yourself:

This cause coming on for status this 30th day of March, 2010, the Court ORDERS;

Linda Moore

1. Linda I. Moore is hereby restored to her office in the Grafton Township Hall ding the township business.2. The telephone lines shall remain in service to the Grafton Township Hall at 10109Vind, Huntley, IL 60102.

3. The access codes, access to offices, access to copy machines, faxes, mail, and any other township information shall not be restricted from any party.

4. The purpose of the Order shall be maintaining the status quo and restoring same to the last peaceable time between the parties.

5. The hearing on this case is set for April 13 and 14, 2010 from April 14 and 15, 2010.

6.The Township Administrator shall not be excluded from the office designated as the Township Main Public Office on Exhibit “A” attached to this order for reference and made a part hereof.

Grafton Township Trustee Gerry McMahon

Grafton Township Trustee Betty Zirk

Township Administrator Pam Fender

Discussion of the outer office part of the court order was going on between Moore attorney John Nelson and Trustees’ Ancel Glink’ litigating attorney, Thomas DiCanni, when one or more of the Trustees present—Gerry McMahon and Betty Zirk—plus Township Administrator Pam Fender said something.

“What’s the problem?” Caldwell asked sharply.

“I don’t want to hear any objection or interjection.

“If you can’t follow that simple advice, I will (hold you) in contempt of court.

“I have only used it twice, but I will use it a third time.

“Do you understand me?”

For the rest of the hearing, the three did not interrupt.

The possibility of holding Grafton Township officials in contempt of court came up in the prior suit as well. (Here’s where you can read about the earlier contempt comments.)


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