Grafton Township Republican Party Chairman Favors Primary Election

Monday night Grafton Township Party Central Committee Chairman Tom Poznanski told me that he favored letting the voters decide who the Republican Party candidates for township office would be. This is the third cycle during which partisan candidates have run … Continue reading

Grafton Township Food Pantry Gets Publicity

Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore has never given up on the idea that Grafton Township government should run a food pantry. The one run by former Supervisor John Rossi, reportedly organized as a not-for-profit organization in order to obtain food … Continue reading

Linda Moore Decides Not to Appeal Second Separation of Powers Decision

The litigation concerning who has what power in Grafton Township has been long and expensive, but also interesting.  I’ve discussed how it involves the pitting of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of local government with Linda Moore’s attorney John … Continue reading

Auditors Present Draft Fiscal Year 2010 Grafton Township Budget: “Found Nothing Untoward in the Audit”

Because of the legal wrangling, the audit that should have been ready last summer has just been completed in draft form. Still holding up finalization is the lack of a reply to a routine letter sent all law firms who … Continue reading

Grafton Food Pantry Fight Revives

The Grafton Township Food Pantry was started by former Supervisor Jack Brunschon and continued to operate under his successor John Rossi. During that time it was turned into a not-for-profit entity in order to get better prices on surplus food, … Continue reading

Grafton Township Pays Road Commissioner $200,000 of Township Hall Loan

Township government consists of two parts, the Road District, which was spun off as a separate unit of government by the General Assembly and the rest of township government, usually called the township. The last administration of the Grafton Township … Continue reading

The First and Last Pages of the Moore v. Township Trustees Decision

As you can see the decision by Judge Michael Caldwell was filed Friday. Lawyers for the two sides received copies of the decision. I believe the judge said he was going to mail them. … Continue reading

Judge Michael Caldwell Grants Linda Moore Day-to-Day Operating Authority of Grafton Township, Power to Hire and Fire Employees and Township Attorney – Part 1

In the Grafton Township separation of powers case filed by Township Supervisor Linda Moore against her Township Trustees, Moore largely won. Judge Caldwell wrote, “What was done here by this board to the supervisor was not a policy but rather … Continue reading

Comparing Grafton and Nunda Townships – Part 1

After listening to five days of testimony in the Grafton Township Separation of Powers case, why does Rodney King’s famous quote come to mind? “Can we all get along?” Obviously, not in Grafton Township. The question is why not? Most … Continue reading

Another “Linda Moore Must Go” Day in Woodstock

I’m losing count. Was today the fourth day of testimony in the Grafton Township separation of powers suit? Maybe it was that I arrived by the expected start time, but an argument over a Temporary Restraining Order wanted by the … Continue reading

Grafton Township Separation of Powers Trial Resumes

10 AM is the time court begins. It’s the trial between Grafton Township Supervisor Linda Moore and the Grafton Township Trustees consisting of Robert LaPorta, Betty Zirk, Barbara Murphy and Gerry McMahon. At the last hearing, Township Administrator Pam Fender, … Continue reading

Of Townships, Computers and Drying Paint

I managed to stay awake during the Linda Moore part of the trial today. It didn’t start until shortly after 1 PM because Moore attorney John Nelson wanted a court reporter present. Once in a while some new information popped … Continue reading

Going for Broke When You’re on the Mat

Pete Gonigam’s First Electric Newspaper has been given a scoop about the Grafton Township Trustees ‘ continuing efforts to reverse last year’s election results, which ousted their leader, Supervisor John Rossi. Just one day after being knocked out by Electors … Continue reading

Tidal Wave of Opposition Overwhelms Trustees’ Desire for New Grafton Township Offices

With over 700 registered voters in attendance, electors at the Annual Town Meeting overwhelmingly refused to follow the script laid out by Ancel Glink partner Keri-Lyn Krafthefer. There were so many people in attendance that the 700 pink ballots designed … Continue reading

Grafton Township Administrator Pam Fender Contract Proposes 10 Months Severance Pay

From the last Grafton Township Annual Meeting, it was obvious that Huntley Village Trustee Pam Fender was a political ally of the returning Township Trustees, Rob LaPorta, Betty Zirk and Barb Murphy. She was standing and voting with them during … Continue reading

Ridicule for Grafton Township Board

“Use in case of bad behavior,” is the message written on a paddle with cobwebs running from it in the Northwest Herald in the editorial cartoon displayed most prominently on its web site today. Beneath is the message, “Spare the … Continue reading

Grafton Trustees Set Stage for New Township Hall Approval at Annual Town Meeting

Township Attorney Keri-Lyn Krafthefer led four members of the Grafton Township Board (Barb Murphy being absent) through a proposed agenda for the Annual Town Meeting on April 13th. A list of the agenda items were not available to the public … Continue reading

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

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 … Continue reading