Former Shorewood Hills President Seeks Court Intervention Over Dismissal
The former village president of Shorewood Hills, John Imes, has taken legal action following his dismissal from the village board. Imes, who previously held an unpaid position, is contesting the decision in court, asserting that his removal was unjust.
In May, the village’s board of trustees made a narrow decision, with a 4-3 vote, to remove Imes from his role. The accusations against him included failing to disclose conflicts of interest and hiding public records. The majority of the board referred to a Wisconsin state law that permits the removal of a trustee for “gross neglect of duty.”
Maintaining his innocence, Imes has initiated a petition in the Dane County Circuit Court. Through this legal action, he aims to overturn the board’s decision. “This decision was not made lightly,” Imes stated on Thursday. “I continue to believe this is about something larger than one office or one individual. It is about ensuring that local government follows fair process, applies the law consistently, and respects the trust voters place in their elected officials.”
The legal proceedings require the Shorewood Hills village board to respond to the summons within 20 days, as filed by Imes’ attorney. Wisconsin Public Radio has reached out to the current trustees of Shorewood Hills for their comments on the ongoing legal matter.
Shorewood Hills, a small community of approximately 2,000 residents, is entirely surrounded by the city limits of Madison, Wisconsin.
