Fair manager hires attorney; may have been, in part, the victim in last week's incident
Du Quoin State Fair manager Shannon Woodworth may be the victim in last week's telephone altercation with Steve McCurdy, father of Du Quoin State Fair administrative staff member Angela Wildermuth.
McCurdy is assistant director of Central Management Services for the State of Illinois and apparently heard that his daughter's termination from the fair staff was being considered.
Wildermuth worked as an aide to former fair manager John Rednour Jr. and dates Rednour's son. She made the transition from Rednour to Woodworth and has appeared alongside Woodworth at various city council and chamber meeting.
At the time, she was elated by the appointment.
McCurdy apparently became outraged on the telephone with Woodworth at the thought of his daughter being terminated. The conversation apparently deteriorated and threats against Woodworth could be heard from the phone's desk speaker.
As the conversation continued Wildermuth apparently came into the room and warned her father that he could be overheard by others nearby.
Stories vary, but the newspaper understands Woodworth may have grabbed her wrist or arm as an action to stay away from his phone.
Wildermuth made a call. State Police got involved and an investigation of the incident has begun.
The questions will be these:
Was Woodworth the "assailant" or was he the victim?
The issue of grabbing or touching an employee is a serious matter in any workplace.
And, members of the fair's staff overhead the conversation and the alleged threats. The question is whether that becomes a conduct issue for McCurdy.
Woodworth has hired Herrin attorney Mark Kochan as the investigation evolves.
Inbound calls from area news media have been so heavy that any inquiries have been turned over to Illinois Department of Agriculture spokesman Jeff Squibb.
No one has any substantive comments at this time. Woodworth is on unpaid administrative leave. Wildermuth remains a member of the fair's staff, but obviously the atmosphere is uncomfortable for everyone.
Du Quoin State Fair manager Shannon Woodworth may be the victim in last week's telephone altercation with Steve McCurdy, father of Du Quoin State Fair administrative staff member Angela Wildermuth.
McCurdy is assistant director of Central Management Services for the State of Illinois and apparently heard that his daughter's termination from the fair staff was being considered.
Wildermuth worked as an aide to former fair manager John Rednour Jr. and dates Rednour's son. She made the transition from Rednour to Woodworth and has appeared alongside Woodworth at various city council and chamber meetings.
At the time, she was elated by the appointment.
McCurdy apparently became outraged on the telephone with Woodworth at the thought of his daughter being terminated. The conversation apparently deteriorated and threats against Woodworth could be heard from the phone's desk speaker.
As the conversation continued Wildermuth apparently came into the room and warned her father that he could be overheard by others nearby.
Stories vary, but the newspaper understands Woodworth may have grabbed her wrist or arm as an action to stay away from his phone.
Wildermuth made a call. State Police got involved and an investigation of the incident has begun.
The questions will be these:
Was Woodworth the "assailant" or was he the victim?
The issue of grabbing or touching an employee is a serious matter in any workplace.
And, members of the fair's staff overheard the conversation and the alleged threats. The question is whether that becomes a conduct issue for McCurdy.
Woodworth has hired Herrin attorney Mark Kochan as the investigation evolves.
Inbound calls from area news media have been so heavy that any inquiries have been turned over to Illinois Department of Agriculture spokesman Jeff Squibb.
No one has any substantive comments at this time. Woodworth is on unpaid administrative leave. Wildermuth remains a member of the fair's staff, but obviously the atmosphere is uncomfortable for everyone.