I know who they are friends with...*

Alex Davy reviews the Palkovich case in the 2/13/2008 Lillie Newspapers: A matter of justice.

Please read the entire article.

Maplewood police civil service commissioner Marlene Palkovich is suing against the city, claiming a misconduct inquest led by labor relations attorney Charles Bethel violated her privacy and besmirched her reputation.

...Palkovich and [her attorney Robert] Fowler were denied an opportunity to address the council in a 3-2 vote supported by Longrie, Hjelle and Council Member Rebecca Cave.
...
But in a recent interview, Longrie says it was Palkovich and Fowler who dragged the issue into the public sphere to begin with, by insisting on a public meeting instead of the originally-scheduled closed session. "They could have attended a closed meeting without turning it into the three-ring circus they chose to make it," Longrie says. "Maybe nothing would have come of it, maybe it was all just a misunderstanding - but they chose to televise it. They're the ones publicizing it."

..."[Palkovich] gave money to Nephew's campaign," Longrie says. "She's on campaign literature endorsing him, and she and [Council Member] Kathy Juenemann are good buddies. If she's concerned about her reputation, why is she the one self-publicizing it?"

Prior to the special council meeting being described in the article, a letter was delivered to Police Civil Service Commissioners Palkovich and Gunn at the beginning of the televised commission meeting on August 29, 2007. The contents of the letter, which remains classified as 'private' by Mr. Kantrud, resulted in the meeting being abruptly adjourned with no business conducted.

Subsequently, verbal comments and agenda items for September 2007 council meetings spoke of disciplining a commissioner.



Because we are fond of it, let us quote from the Constitution of the United States of America, and its amendments:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

[emphasis added throughout]

And, the Maplewood Oath of Office

I,************, do solemnly swear (or affirm) to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Minnesota and will discharge faithfully the duties of the office of Councilmember (or Mayor) of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, to the best of my judgement and ability, so help me God.

Stephan
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* Statement made by Mayor Longrie to petitioners

Well I will tell you that I have those same emails and I have been able to trace all those people as well. I know where they live and I know who they are friends with and I know what petitions they have signed, and know it's the same circle of people.

[Maplewood City Council: April 10, 2006]

[updated 2/14 1:16PM, minor wording correction]