MADISON - A Monroe woman who was banned in December from the Behring Senior Center of Monroe for abusive language during a card game is suing the City of Monroe.
Edith Milestone, 78, on Monday filed a lawsuit in United States District Court claiming her free speech rights were violated. Her attorney, Raymond G. Clausen of Madison, said the city-owned center and its board violated Milestone's "right of access to a public forum," her Constitutional rights, and caused Milestone "great emotional distress."
Clausen asked that Milestone be allowed to visit the center and award her attorney fees and "other relief as the court deems just."
The city has 20 days to respond to the complaint.
Senior Center Director Tammy Derrickson sent a letter to Milestone on Oct. 24 to notify her that she was "no longer welcome" at the center due to Milestone's conduct on Oct. 23.
"I regret to inform you that due to your conduct at the Behring Senior Center on Oct. 23 and numerous other incidents that you are no longer welcome to attend Senior Center programs," the letter said.
The letter said Milestone violated the center's code of conduct policy because she didn't treat other people with respect, used abusive language, didn't treat senior center employees with respect and physically threatened staff.
Derrickson wouldn't comment on the suit Friday.
In his complaint, Clausen said the center's code of conduct policy doesn't list the penalties for people who violate the code of conduct. He said the penalties are at the discretion of Derrickson and the Monroe Senior Citizens Board.
He said Derrickson said Milestone complained so loudly and angrily about the scoring of a card game that her actions violated the code of conduct policy. Clausen said Milestone's comments weren't profane.
The board voted Dec. 2 to uphold the ban and said it would consider a petition from Milestone to return to the center if she completed an anger management program.
Two witnesses testified at the board's hearing in December, one on behalf of the city and one on behalf of Milestone.
Edith Milestone, 78, on Monday filed a lawsuit in United States District Court claiming her free speech rights were violated. Her attorney, Raymond G. Clausen of Madison, said the city-owned center and its board violated Milestone's "right of access to a public forum," her Constitutional rights, and caused Milestone "great emotional distress."
Clausen asked that Milestone be allowed to visit the center and award her attorney fees and "other relief as the court deems just."
The city has 20 days to respond to the complaint.
Senior Center Director Tammy Derrickson sent a letter to Milestone on Oct. 24 to notify her that she was "no longer welcome" at the center due to Milestone's conduct on Oct. 23.
"I regret to inform you that due to your conduct at the Behring Senior Center on Oct. 23 and numerous other incidents that you are no longer welcome to attend Senior Center programs," the letter said.
The letter said Milestone violated the center's code of conduct policy because she didn't treat other people with respect, used abusive language, didn't treat senior center employees with respect and physically threatened staff.
Derrickson wouldn't comment on the suit Friday.
In his complaint, Clausen said the center's code of conduct policy doesn't list the penalties for people who violate the code of conduct. He said the penalties are at the discretion of Derrickson and the Monroe Senior Citizens Board.
He said Derrickson said Milestone complained so loudly and angrily about the scoring of a card game that her actions violated the code of conduct policy. Clausen said Milestone's comments weren't profane.
The board voted Dec. 2 to uphold the ban and said it would consider a petition from Milestone to return to the center if she completed an anger management program.
Two witnesses testified at the board's hearing in December, one on behalf of the city and one on behalf of Milestone.