REGIONAL REPORT: COLFAX BOARD EXEMPTS SELF FROM VILLAGE DRUG TESTING

COLFAX -- Colfax village employees will be subject to random drug tests,
but the board voted 5-1 last week to exempt itself from the program.

The same meeting also saw Mayor Gordon Ehlers change assignments for six of
the eight board committees. Trustee Lawrence Baker, who has argued with
Ehlers before on how the village should be run, was removed from all
committee assignments.

Baker promised to take the committee changes to the McLean County state's
attorney.

On the drug-testing issue at the meeting, village Clerk Nancy Kiper asked
board members for their addresses and telephone numbers for BroMenn
Healthcare, which will administer the tests. She said the elected officials
are employees because they are paid by the village.

The board voted in August to create a random drug-testing policy for all
village employees.

Trustee Rick Wagoner said drug testing "should include all employees,
including the trustees."

Baker asked that the program be limited to employees who operate equipment.

The board voted to amend the program to test Kiper, police officers and
other employees.

On the issue of committee assignments, Baker accused Ehlers of shaking up
the committees to isolate him.

Ehlers did not offer a reason for the changes, but during the discussion he
told Baker to "get along with the other six board members or get off the
board."

Ehlers appointed committees after the village elections in April, but
village attorney Tom Shields said Ehlers can change committees at will.

"The mayor has the right to establish committees," he said. "I believe it
is appropriate to change committees."

Shields also said appointments can be made without trustees' approval.

Ehlers said Baker came to his home several times and swore at him. Baker
agreed he and the mayor have argued in the past, but they disagree on who
swore at whom.

Baker said he would abide by Ehlers' decision for now. He said he was still
free to attend committee meetings, even if he is not a member, because
those meetings are open to all trustees.

Baker served sewer, water, streets and ordinance committees. Ehlers also
changed the lights and liquor committees, but Baker did not serve on them.

The finance and police committees did not change. Baker was not on those,
either.