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Trustee slaps colleague with 'restraining order'
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - March 18, 2009)
Trustee slaps colleague with 'restraining order'
BY JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Claridon Township Trustee Mary Briggs presented a "restraining order" last week against fellow Trustee David Brockway.
Ms. Briggs presented the document at the trustees meeting, asking Mr. Brockway to sign it. When Mr. Brockway refused to sign it, Ms. Briggs read it into the record.
"Should you fail to comply with this notification, your actions could be construed as intentional and possibly criminal in nature," Ms. Briggs said.
Mr. Brockway said last week that he planned to consult with an attorney on the matter before deciding if any action should be taken.
Ms. Briggs initially said that the restraining order had been given to her by the victims' assistance program through the Geauga County Sheriff's Department.
However, sheriff's department officials said no "restraining order" was given. Lt. John Hiscox, a spokesman for the department, said that only literature and pamphlets were provided to Ms. Briggs. He said only a court can issue a restraining order.
Ms. Briggs said she drew up the "restraining order" based on the information provided. She said she was told it was the "first step" she had to take in response to a reported incident at the Claridon Township Administrative Building on March 6 during which police were called.
Ms. Briggs claimed there was physical contact and that her way into an office was blocked.
Mr. Brockway denied any physical altercation. He said he had a discussion with Ms. Briggs, and he was "baited."
The "restraining order" requests that Mr. Brockway "not have any contact" with Ms. Briggs, her friends and family.
"I have reported to the Geauga County Sheriff's Office activity that allegedly occurred between you and me that was possibly criminal in nature," her document says. "An investigation into the allegations has been initiated. We realize there are two sides to every story and your intention may not have been criminal in nature, however, I want to make it clear to you that I wish to have 'no contact' from you of any kind."
Ms. Briggs said she provided exceptions that would allow Mr. Brockway to continue to perform his duties as trustee.
The "no contact" rule applies to telephone calls, personal visits, mail, e-mail messages, paging, facsimiles or gifts at her home. Any contact should be made through a third party, except for office staff.
The document outlines "how and when" the two should continue to conduct township business.
The document says that Ms. Briggs will be at the adminstration building between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, days when office staff are available. It says she will be at the building at varying times on weekends from 6:30 p.m. to midnight, unless her official duties require her to be there at other times.
"If I am at any Claridon Township building or on Claridon Township property, you will not approach me and at no time will you come into physical contact with me," her document says.
She is requesting that Mr. Brockway remain at a distance of at least 500 feet from her.
She also requests that Mr. Brockway not be seated next to her during township meetings, nor should they be in the same room alone.
"If you do speak to me at the Claridon Township Board of Trustee meetings, you will keep your comments to public business, you will not raise your voice at me, interrupt me when I speak nor will you make reference to any matter that is personal in nature about me or a household member or person who may reside at any other property I own," Ms. Briggs' document says.
During closed-door meetings, Ms. Briggs said she has the right to bring in any person she wants for her safety.
At all other public meetings, the document says, Mr. Brockway must stay 50 feet away.
"At no time will you obstruct my free movement nor hinder me in my official duties as a Claridon Township Trustee or as a person and my inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," the document says.
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