The check is in the mail...?

The check is in the mail; how many times have you heard that line.

The meeting of the Woodstock Police Pension Board was called out of Closed Session and into Open Session at 7:56 PM on September 22, 2011 by Chairman Bittig and Mr. Fink moved to award Steven Gorski a non-duty disability pension dating back to November 29th of 2007. Ms Abrams seconded the motion. Chairman Bittig then took a roll call vote of the pension board members.

• Mr. Knapp....Aye.
• Ms. Abrams...Aye
• Mr. Fink...Yes
• Mr. Leard...Yes

Chairman Bittig then then stated the motion passed.

The hearing officer Mr. Kelly then stated that the Board will follow this oral decision with a written decision within 21 days of today. (Sept. 22, 2011) Mr. Kelly then stated that the written " will be served upon both parties and we'll address all the concerns raised in Mr. Duda's brief relative to due process and things in that findings and decision.

Chairman Bittig then called for a motion to adjourn and the members of the board all voted in the affirmative. Before the meeting was officially closed by Chairman Bittig Mr. Duda asked the following question of Mr. Kelly, "is the Board going to make payment before the 21 days? Mr. Duda stating that usually it's paid after the vote's taken, not from the decision.

Mr. Kelly then stated "They will start the processing. We have to verify the salary, what the salary was at the time. It was 2007. So we'll verify the salary and begin processing the check. Whether it comes prior to or at the time of the 21 days, I don't think we're going to hold it up."

Following this verbal understanding between Mr. Duda and Mr. Kelly, the hearing officer, the meeting was adjourned.

Today is Saturday, October 22, 2011, 30 days since the verbal decision was made and still no check and no written decision has been received. If one goes by the written letter of the written report of the proceedings Steven R. Gorski should have received his check on Sept. 13, 2011, exactly 21 days from the verbal decision.

Note: Nowhere in the official Report of Proceedings (which can be found on the City of Woodstock's Web page) for that Sept. 22, 2011 meeting does it refer anywhere to "working" days....only states "21 days". It also has been 21 working days since the verbal decision.