did anyone ask mrs. olmstead how many complaints she put on the kaufenberg's. there is more than a couple. people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. everyone has made mistakes, get on with it; the majority group blogging on here is actually a small number and you are making no impact on what people actually believe. some of our officers who have sworn to uphold the law and protect us citizens have broken their oath. i am sickened at how people have begun to believe their own lies. our previous administration was terrible but they did attempt to get the business done, not all parties are perfect. the current administration has problems including our vp who seems to have the same god complex that the past vp had. no one is perfect and no one has to agree with what others believe. if you follow the evidence on all the bs that is going on you will see that there is more wrong than what people actually think. for those that think that people were conspiring to get rid of people, did you ever think that maybe the accused actually did do something wrong. i use the word "think" loosely as i already know the answer to my question.

I am sorry wakeup i did not mean you and I apologize.
And I just want to say she is nobody's pawn except the people of the village. That's who she signed up to work for and in the end the people who criticize her will see it.

cpsdaughter- so you are mad at wakeup? Who I might add supports your neighbor and DeVoy. I make comments when people start talking out of their back ends. I don't care if I support them or not but when some one talks stupid or lies..... I speak up. I am all about honesty. :)

cpsdaughter: If you think she is so innocent then you are an IDIOT!!! She has only brought all that she has went through upon herself. Filing false claims trying to get the board into trouble when they had no merit to them. And making accusations on this blog about others that were not true. I'm not saying that the actions that others sought out against her are right but she did it herself against many others. Just because she is the former chief's pawn is why you support her because you support him.

1moreview -
your comment "I wonder if all the printed signs that were so generously put up all over town where reported expenses to the proper state authorities?" is idiotic.

If you have a claim of improperness, bring it. Or else shut up, cuz you're an idiot.

I am a neighbor of DebiO and I have seen all shes went thru just to try and make a positive difference. Kaufenbergers got in her business, called the building inspecter on her and called police on her too.

Politics do not interest me but after seeing all this crap happen to her and the chief, it's a different story now. Like other people in Darien. You are making us agry, and you people are in the minority.

People like you and 2Levelheaded and wakeup are a menace to society from ignorance of facts.

Keep your heads in the sand, k? I think she'll help positive change go on without you and I will support her and I will also support the police chief.

Hope you are as miserable as you wish to others.

Serves her right for doing that to others!!

http://mywalworthcounty.com/main.asp?Sec...
It's 3/13/09

one943- Your webpage link is broken. Can you try again?

WiSpedTeacher
“Debi KNOWS who filed the charges against her! She saw the signed complaint..it was CK and her husband”

What's the big deal? The former VB (4 of which still serve) know that Debi filed seven charges against them. Just because the were unfounded.
http://mywalworthcounty.com/main.asp?Sec......

I THINK my point is this: Debate and dissent is good for democracy. A lot of the discussion and difference of views in Darien is well placed. In the matter of the violations of campaign and Sunshine law, I really think folks have chosen the wrong battle. It appears that the charges against Ms. Olmstead and the VB are well-founded. The all made mistakes. The DA is not going to throw the book at any of them. There will be a simple forfeiture, and all will be the wiser. Direct your debating energy toward the issues that are really in controversy.

If I may (and I'm SURE this will not fall into favor with some)...

I do not know what sort of information candidates receive when they take out nomination papers. I do know that the Government Accountability Board has ample material available on their web site. Though I applaud her for getting involved and have nothing but good opinions of her, Ms. Olmstead did commit a violation (apparently). No harm intended, and none incurred. But, there was a violation.

Likewise, it appears that the VB committed some violations relating to the Sunshine law.

When the DA gets complaints on elections or Sunshine law violations, s/he has a duty and obligation to pursue it. S/he can not pick and choose. That would be political favoritism, and there is no place for that in prosecution. None of the violations by Ms. Olmstead or the VB are criminal in nature. They are forfeitures, just like failing to fasten a seat belt or a parking ticket.

Whether we're talking about Ms. Olmstead's or the VB's violations, the old view of "ignorance is no excuse" comes to mind. And, though you can view the complainant as politically motivated, it is the offending individual's responsibility to know and comply with the law.

How many times we hear cars (or motorcycles) with modified exhaust systems. I have stopped for that offense on occasion. The story is almost always the same: "I had it put on at such-and-such shop, and it says it's legal in Wisconsin." When I read them the statute, they almost always shrink down in dismay. I explain that such a muffler may be legal for off-road use, but on-road is a different story. Is the claim of "legal in Wisconsin" misleading? Perhaps. Buyer beware. Same here. Those who run for office must familiarize themselves with campaign law and, once elected, must familiarize themselves with laws of governance.

Debi KNOWS who filed the charges against her! She saw the signed complaint..it was CK and her husband

1morereview: I've heard the same thing.

Me2: I'm not offended. To be honest I don't really know the details of the 2 violations of information that was left off the agenda. Was it something there were trying to hide or just a detail that was overlooked. And if the lawyer is supposed to guide and help them make sure they do things correctly why wasn't it caught? Also, is it realy that big of deal? Even the charge against DebO is that really that big of a deal? I don't think either one is, but the reason why it was charged is because someone was out looking for it and reported it. I don't think they know who reported those violations either. Who went back in time to find out about these violations? From what I have heard, now this only what I've heard, I have no idea whether it is true or not. The violations were only to retaliate from what happended to the chief.

The fact of the matter is that anyone running for public office has the responsibility to inform themselves. She was given enough paper work when she took out papers to have the information or know where to find it. One more point of interest - the candidates that ran for office also know that if they or anyone else spends money for them during the campaign like on election materials they have to report that to the state. I wonder if all the printed signs that were so generously put up all over town where reported expenses to the proper state authorities? It will be interesting to see what all of you "citizens" now bash me for. Poor Deb O. - she was just a citizen and didn't know any better. HA. She has probably been the person that has filled our Shopper boxes with lies during elections since DeVoy became chief. He was behind the scenes in all of the attacks on the board members and the employees he felt were a threat to him. What a game some of you have played and are still continuing to play. One word describes the situations SUCKERS!

2levelheaded – I’m sorry if I busted your chops, I didn’t me to. In lemans terms, I think in the case of the village board violating open meeting laws, the public has a right to know what they are discussing or acting upon. In terms of Ms. Olmstead, I didn’t see the campaign flyer but I would assume that it was promoting herself and not attempting to camouflage anything from the public.

2levelheaded - based on your blog entry it appears that you feel no one should be held responsible for their actions regardless whether they are in public office at the time or attempting to. My point is that tax payers hire village attorney's with hopeful expectations that he or she will see that the laws are not violated. I don't believe that Ms. Olmstead hired an attorney to draft a campaign letter prior to its descemination. I guess you can't convince me that the violations are one in the same. Assuming the position as an elected official means you've also assumed the responsiblity of receiving consequences. One would hope though if guided by legal counsel consequences would not be of concern.

I hope she doesn't break any rules from now on since she should know them all. Shouldn't she have researched before she ran then?

"She wasn't in public office at the time." 2LevelHeaded you need to think about that statement.

Makes me know NEVER to run for a public office because I have no idea of the rules and laws. How would you know what laws to even look up?

It seems like once you get in an office you'll get info on what the rules are tho.

And those who were in office had 3 violations, not just 1.

I don't think it's fair that she was charged with the same fine since she was still just a citizen at the time and didn't know.

I bet she regrets running now that it costs her money and a criminal record. That's too bad, I'm sure she just wanted to help Darien.

She wasn't in public office at the time. My point was that she didn't know she had to put that information on the flyers and the board didn't know they had to post all the information in specific detail.

2Levelheaded – if I may, I think there is a difference because the Village Board members are, or should be directed by the attorney that represents them. He or she should be furnished with a copy of the agenda (which I’d be surprised if they’re not). If there are potential violations of open meeting laws, the attorney should direct that to their attention and either cancel and repost the agenda or adjourn the meeting. It’s the Mayor or Village Presidents job to conduct the meeting according to the agenda and see that Robert’s Rules of Order is adhered to; it’s the Village attorney’s job to see that no violations occur during the meeting and provide legal counsel and guidance. Apparently that didn’t happen on at least three different occasions.

In terms of being charged with multiple counts and being found guilty of only one, I think you’re referring to charges being “read-in” at time of sentencing. To say that Ms. Olmstead committed the same offense(s) I believe is not true. She did not hold a position in public office at the time.

pofdc7: How do you know she wouldn't do the same thing? It is prett much the same violation. She didn't know she was supposed to put that information on the flyer just like the board didn't know they need to put all the detailed information about the meetings. Just because there are 3 violations doesn't mean they are punished for 3 violations. Sometimes people are punished for only violation even though they may have committed more than one violation.

I'll bet some of you GOOD citizens won't let DebO forget this for quite awhile .

I don't think it's a fair fine either
the board members got hit with 3 violations per person

Why is it absurd? It's pretty much the same charge.

the clerk she took the papers out from dropped the ball big time, or she chose not to listen. When you pick up your papers for running for ANY office you should receive a book on campaign finance....it is all explained in there.

The people that made the charge went all over town and took emails that they said were dirty,grounds for getting rid of Officers.Why would you go door to door and church if this is true.Now why is it any different? How is this board member going to work with other? Just more drama for darien.

mustang

Please explain

From what I have seen MRS and MR are just trying to cover up what they did with passing out the emails.At least Debbie did not take it to church.They seem to have made other false charges and got away with it.But I think other person will take one step higher.Mrs claim M.M. is in her pocket.It seems that the board is getting a little off on one thing at last meeting.Teacher that is nothing against you but.