Carleton council requires President Penix to attend sensitivity training after police chief letters

The Carleton Village Council voted Sept. 2, 2025 to require Village President James Penix to attend a sensitivity training course after two letters from Carleton Police Chief Roy Johnson alleged Penix made inappropriate comments to female employees.

The motion, offered by Council member Bob Pernicano and supported by Council member Jim Geiermann, passed by roll-call vote 4-0. The minutes record the council's decision as "that Penix will attend a course of Sensitivity Training Classes in regards to the two letters." No formal disciplinary action beyond the training requirement is recorded in the minutes.

Why it matters: Elected and appointed municipal leaders' conduct affects staff safety and workplace culture. The council's action signals a formal response to complaints from the police department about interactions between the president and village employees.

Council members did not record a statement from President James Penix in the minutes, and the record does not show whether Penix accepts the training or the timeline for completion. The minutes identify the source of the concerns as two letters from Chief Roy Johnson; the council chose training rather than a different sanction and did not record any appeal or further investigation in the meeting notes.

Next steps: The minutes show the training requirement as the council's chosen response; no further administrative or legal steps are listed in the meeting record. The item may return to the council for follow-up or verification after the training is completed.