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Council voted to take "no disciplinary action at this time for any police officer involved in the Dec. 12, 2007 arrest" of John Kelke, according to the minutes of the Dec. 18 council meeting. Council members also voted to adopt a press release statement concerning the incident, and to authorize the village president to revise the statement "as facts may change."

Meanwhile, Kelke's petition for a personal protection order against Police Chief Rod Jaskowski was also denied by a circuit court judge on Dec. 18, because the judge determined there would be no apparent immediate danger to Kelke by delaying the matter until a court hearing, should Kelke request one.

Kelke was arrested Dec. 12 at approximately 2 p.m. for allegedly assaulting a police officer in the Bark Shanty Community Center, according to the council's statement.

"The arrest took place during the time a Village Council meeting was being held in the Community Center for the purpose of hearing citizen complaints against the Village police officers," the village stated. "The resident and the officers were not present in the council meeting room at the time of the incident. The Council was informed of the arrest by Police Chief Rod Jaskowski. Mr. Kelke was released on bond."

The statement continued, "The Council regrets that the incident took place at a time when we were trying to facilitate a dialogue between citizens and the police department. As this is an going legal proceeding, the Village Council members, Village Appointed Officials and Village employees are not at liberty to answer questions or discuss this matter further at this time."

Visiting Huron County Judge Richard Knoblock denied Kelke's P.P.O. petition for the following reason: "Your request for the issuance of a Personal Protection Order on an ex parte basis, that is without a hearing has been reviewed (and)...it does not clearly appear from the specific l facts alleged by Plaintiff (Kelke) that immediate...injury, loss or damage will result from the delay required to effectuate notice (for a hearing)."

Kelke will have to file a motion with the court if he wants the hearing. The News was unable to reach him for comment.

Kelke's reasons for seeking the P.P.O. were explained in a letter attached to the petition, which is on file in the County Clerk's Office in Sandusky.

Kelke claims that he built a fence to block his neighbors' view of his back yard because they had had disagreements. The village issued a building permit, inspected and approved the fence.

Kelke alleges the neighbors complained about the fence to Jaskowski, who told him several times that the fence is "coming down".

Kelke alleges Jaskowski threatened to arrest him several times.

On May 29, Kelke stated he took the matter to the sheriff department, where he was told it was a civil matter and the police should not be involved. He then claims Jaskowski followed him home and detained him on his property, threatening to arrest him for assaulting an officer, and told Kelke's wife he had "dug my own grave" by going to the sheriff department.

Kelke said he complained to the village council, which led to the closed door meeting on Dec. 11. (According to the council statement, the meeting was held Dec. 12).

Kelke said he received a letter from the village president "requesting my presence at the meeting. " Kelke alleges, "When I attempted to enter the meeting room at the request of Councilman Travis, I was assaulted and injured by Respondent (Chief Jaskowski) and police officers Ryan Davis and Jeremy B. Allen. They arrested me for assaulting an officer, resisting arrest and destroying police property. I did not touch or threaten anyone or destroy any property. I have had to seek medical treatment as a result of my injuries and I am fearful Respondent (Jaskowski) will again assault, injure and falsely imprison me because of this action, and because I intend to initiate action against him and his officers for police misconduct."