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March 28, 2024

Arcola Township FOIA Suit Update –

By John Kraft & Kirk Allen

On August 16, 2013

DOUGLAS CO. (ECWd) –

The Freedom Of Information Act civil suit filed against the Township of Arcola is scheduled for a “hearing on motion(s)” on September 5, 2013. Yesterday, I filed a response to the township’s motion to dismiss, and I also filed and sent a notification of hearing to their attorney.

The motion to dismiss, I believe, was based on the Township’s belief of improper summons service and their belief that there is no provision to name the township clerk as defendant among other things.

You can read their motion and my response to their motion below:

Township’s Motion —- My Response to their Motion —- Previous Articles Here

Update on FOIA Civil Suit

Update on FOIA Civil Suit

 

 

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79 Comments
  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 08:24h, 16 August

    Eagle,real classy post on the other side.Why does it look like the Twp.is trying so hard to keep from giving out information?You are right,the”working folks”at theTwp.are doing their best to keep public information to themselves.Why are they spending so much “time&tax”dollars to do so?Keep going Mr.Kraft,maybe an outsider will get us a look at the inside.Could turn out to be very revealing.

  • jw
    Posted at 09:05h, 16 August

    Arcola township officials do you think everyone out here can’t see what you guys are doing up there? You have locked the doors, you have given a secretary a credit card to use since 1998, you have hired an attorney, and you think you have found a loophole all for not wanting to give receipts of the way you have spent taxpayers money. What is it you are trying to hide or whom are you trying to protect. surely you could answer at least one of those questions honestly.

  • Arcola Lola
    Posted at 11:52h, 16 August

    JW, those are the residents of this towns questions exactly! But the problem is that if you dare ask them, Eagle or George will have fits and start to try to divert attention by making outlandish accusations about everyone else. It’s sad but true! Now, I am wondering how they think that they are going to get out of the mess that they have created themselves. This is going to be an entertaining show to watch.

  • mike
    Posted at 13:20h, 16 August

    How can a secretary manipulate three grown educated men so easily? Is it that the men do not know how to do there jobs, because she has only told them how she wants it done, after all, we all know she has been there longer than anyone. That raises several more questions. After all of this, you would think they would man up and try to do there job the right way instead of blindly following. But maybe this will all blow over in time and they can unlock there doors and we can move on to good things. It seems as if the rest of the town does not have too much turmoil going on.

  • Watchn from Bowdre
    Posted at 13:52h, 16 August

    Mike,remember we told you guys it seemed like most of your problems went back to one desk.When she left here and was saying WE were the ones that were not running our Twp.right,and would be in trouble.Well,guess who’s getting sued ,it ain’t us!

  • High Rider
    Posted at 07:28h, 17 August

    Broom Corn could be alot busier this year for some.Watchn is right,we all heard how the Bowdre board was going to jail,of coarse that was after she was sent packing.Now the Twp.will appear in court first before they can setup for Broom Corn.

  • Arcola Lola
    Posted at 08:48h, 17 August

    So what are you saying High Rider? Has Deana hijacked Broom Corn Festival too?
    The way I understand it, this is put on by the Chamber of Commerce with some assistance from the City.
    Please keep the township out of Broom Corn, they have messed up too many other things.

  • Teed Off
    Posted at 10:37h, 17 August

    I agree with the Lady,Eagle,something must really be bothering you to post such a nasty comment.If things don’t go well for the Twp.someone may go from “spending time”to “doing time”.All this hiding and not disclosing of information appears a little suspect to some of us.

  • twp citizen
    Posted at 09:37h, 18 August

    If nothing else comes of this, I would hope the Trustees would now be aware that the citizens are aware of what is going on in their office and with our tax dollars. They do not need a “Secretary” that is making the salary she is making, not only from Township but also the Fire District. What makes sense about her getting paid an outrageous amount from Fire District when she is doing their books while on Township time. Also that we are fed up with our tax dollars being used for personal reasons (like supplying gravel for everyone that ask for it). Now knowing that the Comfort Station account has $80,000 and Township office is not even used as a Comfort Station. Stop taxing us for it. They need to stop blaming everyone else for their mess and clean it up.

  • twp citizen
    Posted at 11:15h, 18 August

    Forgot to mention re: tax dollars being used for personal reasons that we should not being paying for gas or cell phone for a “secretary”. I seriously believe the Trustees were not even aware of all this until it showed up on FOIAs.

  • High Rider
    Posted at 11:27h, 18 August

    Lola,I don’t think the Queen of Kemp is running Broom Corn;yet.What I was referring to was the Twp.Clerk being in court while a club he belongs to is setting up for the festival.I belive you are right the chamber and the city run it,all the while the Twp.comfort station will be behind locked doors!

  • Big n Bowdre
    Posted at 18:34h, 18 August

    twp citizen,Watchn’s got it right,you’ve heard of an “information desk” and she’s got control to boot.The trustees only know what she tells them,and now she has drug your Twp.into a lawsuit.Makes a person wonder what the Fire Board knows.

  • Aware n Arcola
    Posted at 07:56h, 19 August

    There have been some very good post’s made on this side,points made that the opposition apparently can’t dispute.I look forward to the Twp.explaining to the court and Il.A.G.why they are above reproach and answerable only to those that they chose.

  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 20:21h, 19 August

    Where is all the big talk now about wasted time,bluster,and nobody ever questioned us before?Jack,Eagle,and George is Sept.5th on your mind?It sure is quite over there boy’s,what’s the matter,secretary got your tongue?

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 21:35h, 19 August

      FYI – Court Date has been postponed, will update when a new date is agreed upon.

  • Jack
    Posted at 01:04h, 20 August

    Sorry, got a life to live. Ya’ll keep bringing up the same misinformation and I can only correct you so many times before its a waste of my time. I’m still waiting on Terry to answer George’s question. LOL. Now, while you all are spreadin the hate, go ahead and do good by donating to the new twp clothing program to balance it out.

  • Dee Wayne
    Posted at 07:04h, 20 August

    Sounds like they sure know how to spend more money to postpone something that should not even be in court. What could possibly be in those receipts that these guys are trying to hide. Is there a mole at the courthouse too?

  • twp citizen
    Posted at 08:29h, 20 August

    “Jack” I don’t know what you consider misinformation. The Township had denied or sent partial FOIAs. You have an extremely overpaid PART-TIME Secretary that has control of everything. You have a road commissioner that waste a large amount of taxpayer dollars doing favors for personal reasons. You have documents destroyed without state permission. You have gas cards being used for personal reasons without Boards knowledge. You are taxing us for a Comfort Station that is not used. I really don’t think I have read any “misinformation”. You all (Jack, George, Esgle

  • SOS
    Posted at 08:54h, 20 August

    “Jack” I don’t know what you consider misinformation. The Township has denied or sent partial FOIAs. You have an extremely overpaid PART-TIME Secretary that has control of everything. You have a road commissioner that waste a large amount of taxpayer dollars doing favors for personal reasons. You have documents destroyed without state permission. You have gas cards being used for personal reasons without Boards knowledge. You are taxing us for a Comfort Station that is not used. I really don’t think I have read any “misinformation”. You all (Jack, George, Eagle) need to just admit mistakes have been made and move forward correcting them, because, if you all aren’t on Township board, some of you are.

  • Terry Foran
    Posted at 11:28h, 20 August

    George and Jack here’s your answer to the board’s knowledge of gas card’s given out…we were not told the were issued in the first place.As stated before I’ve talked to others that served at that time and they had no knowledge of the cards either.Now let me remind you that the Twp. Supervisor himself stated that the Rd. Comm.issued the cards from the Road Fund.I’m still waiting for your names.

  • Dee Wayne
    Posted at 15:37h, 20 August

    Jack , you seem to be forgetting that it is the taxpayers time that you think you are wasting and we all agree with that you are wasting our time and money. Looks as though Terry has answered you, how much of that is misinformation?
    hope he gets an answer to his reply, will give you that waste of a minute
    Looks if you have nowhere else to hide. Are you real proud of your actions in this matter, we are all waiting on that answer also.

  • Broom Corn Joni
    Posted at 19:05h, 20 August

    Jack,are you and George going to answer Mr.Foran’s question?As usual when anybody posts acurate information,you refer to it as”spreadin the hate”.Well for some reason it appear’s the court date has been postponed,out of the blue.Now what was the relationship between the Twp.lawyer and the county judge?Maybe the Twp. Clerk asked to move the date so he could get ready for Broom Corn.P.S.Did we ever hear if the Comfort Station will be open for the festival?After all it’s got over $80,000.00 in the account,and that would buy alot of toilet paper,not to mention make for a nice cooling station.After all the Twp. office still belongs to us,the taxpayers.It does still belong to us….right?

  • Jack
    Posted at 21:49h, 20 August

    Terry – Either you are lying or the people I talk to are lying. I know that they came from Road fund but Road fund bills are still reported to board every meeting from what I know. Did you say anything back then? I will go with the folks known to be trustworthy.

    Broom Corn Joni – Misinformation: court date postponed out of the blue because clerk would like to get ready for broom corn. FACT: date postponed because attorney is having surgery. Misinformation: township will be closed for broomcorn. FACT: The twp office is used every year by the veterans for a bake sale of some sort during broom corn. You’re a dope.

    Dee Wayne – What actions? I am just someone who lives in town…

  • Terry Foran
    Posted at 07:34h, 21 August

    First off I wish Mr. Petty continued good health.Jack,you are correct the fuel bills we saw were from Citgo.We filled the trucks there because they had diesel road fuel.When Citgo closed Mark Put in a fuel tank and we filled the trucks at the shed.The bills the board saw had one charged amount on them.Nothing about a charge of gas for the secretary.Gas vehicles and mowers were filled at the shed,we had no reason to believe otherwise.Having that explained,I don’t understand why the secretary didn’t issue herself a 1099 for compensation going back to 1998.Maybe you could go back to your trustworthy folks and ask them.

  • Arcola Lola
    Posted at 07:38h, 21 August

    So Jack, what you are saying is that the “Comfort Station” will be open to the public for Broomcorn so that people can use the restroom, cool down, get some water, etc….I suspect that Princess Deana won’t like that arrangement too well. But I guess that will give her some time to find those receipts and get some tax payer funded overtime!

  • Corn King
    Posted at 08:47h, 21 August

    Jack, Jack, Jack: You must be real close to the inner works of the Arcola Township. You made the statement that those credit card purchases were put in front of the board for review. You are claiming that the trustees should have caught the gas purchases made by the Secretary. They would need to be posted for each purchase and who made that purchase. How where they posted for review? Please get back to us on that. Don’t ask the secretary, ask a former trustee. Then you will get the truth because they are the ones that either saw single posted purchases and who made the purchase or not. I say the trustees had no reason to question fuel purchases from the road fund. The road commissioner is in charge of those expenditures and he is one of those people you trust. So why wouldn’t the board trust that the purchases were for the use of the road district? Lets get back to the current issue. NOW through a FOIA there are questions of purchases. The people you “trust” will not produce those receipts. Again, I don’t have time for your ignorance.

  • Dee Wayne
    Posted at 09:06h, 21 August

    Hey Jack for someone just living in town you sure know a lot about what happened in 1998 at the township meetings. Funny though none of you present board members seems to want anyone to know just what did happen then or now . If you are so trustworthy then why do we need an attorney to even go to court because all JMKraft wants right now is receipts for gas and copies of 1099’s why is that such an issue to trustworthy people? Lets take care of that internally without costing the taxpayers any more monies. After all you all get paid to do that very thing

  • Jack
    Posted at 09:22h, 21 August

    Arcola Lola – She wont like that arrangement too well? Its been this way for every Broom Corn for a long time. You are a dope as well. Plus it is the weekend, so technically it does not have to open anyways since it is a one person operation. Go find me other twp offices that are open to the public on weekends when only one person works there.

    Terry – The FOIAed reciepts provided by twp show charges in different places, not just Citgo, so that doesnt really check out bub. As for the 1099s, I believe the new board recognized this oversight and has rectified it. You can play dumb all you want, but you are using other in people in town to hammer this issue home because if people knew it was you who tipped them off your hypocrisy on the issue would be pointed out easily. I just did it.

  • Definitions
    Posted at 14:15h, 21 August

    trust’wor’thy adj.-thi-er,-thi-est worthy of trust; reliable

  • Richey Rich
    Posted at 16:15h, 21 August

    To Jack, After reading all of your rant on this blog you are without a doubt the dope. You have made it clear that the Arcola Township is a one-person show. This is the only thing you may have correct. She is the show for now and the curtain is about to come down. Jack please find me a township this size that has a high paid secretary or for that matter a secretary period. Oh, I will save you the trouble there isn’t any. Friday during Broom Corn is a weekday and I hope the Comfort Station is open. How many times must you get smacked in the head before you give up? Terry Foran spelled it out for you, but you are to blind to read it. Oh and the new board rectified it all right!! They took away her gas card and gave her a $4,600 raise. You call that rectifying it? Need those 1099’s don’t we? If you want to go toe to toe I will be here all week, just remember to tip the waitress.

  • Dee Wayne
    Posted at 16:15h, 21 August

    Jack; so the new board rectified the problem does that mean with the IRS and the taxpayers are going to be notified of your incompetence ? Does that mean the secretary is going to pay that money back to the taxpayers. Is the check in the mail? We are sure the IRS will buy that. There is many more questions that need answered now. By the way it was not Terry that tipped everyone off, it was you, trying to cover up this mess by making sure you had all of your little followers in place. Remember that

  • SOS
    Posted at 16:59h, 21 August

    Jack, I for one am glad that someone (whoever) “tipped off” ECWD. Somehow the mess in the Township office needs to be cleaned up. If this is what it takes, so be it. In less you were on the board during the time in question re: gas cards, you need to just drop it. Nothing Terry has said makes him a hypocrite. The gas cards are just one of many problems.

  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 17:32h, 21 August

    Jack or should I say Jackie,you sound as if your part secretary.Supervisor Clark said the Rd. Comm. gave the cards out starting in 1998.Now if the Twp.secretary is as smart and all knowing as you would have us believe,then since she didn’t file a 1099 for the gas it appears that it was being hidden.And Jack in your comment to Lola I belive you would hard pressed to find any Twp. the size of Arcola to pay a secretary $50,000.00 part time.

  • Jack
    Posted at 00:22h, 22 August

    I love how everyone on here #1) believes I am either Deana or someone on the board. Sorry, not me. I’ve talked to those folks and none of them look at this blog because they find the idea of nameless people spreading rumors beneath the small town values we grew up with. Also you all #2) Claim I have no idea what I am talking about yet do not actually refute any of my points. I only good naturedly call people dopes after using facts to call out their misinformation. You on the other hand are happy to bash away at me all while saying nothing. Terry continues to play dumb about a problem originating from his time on the township but no, attack me.

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 07:21h, 22 August

      “Jack” said: “I’ve talked to those folks and none of them look at this blog because…”

      I call B.S. on that one…

  • SOS
    Posted at 07:13h, 22 August

    Jack, aren’t you also one of the “nameless” people? I don’t read your name calling to be “good natured”‘ I think several have refuted most of your points. If you aren’t on board you are very close to someone that is

  • Jack
    Posted at 08:16h, 22 August

    Jim Kraft – And I care what you think because?? You don’t even live here so how would you know.

    To All – If you go look at other townships you will see many have more than two positions who make salaries around or above what Deana and Mark make. Road Commissioners, Assesors, Deputy Assesors, Road Commissioner Staff, Secretary, Office Manager, whatever their titles may be. Arcola only has two full time decent salaries (ive explained to you already that she works on average more than 32 hrs a week), the Road Commissioner and the Office Manager who handles pretty much everything else that other townships have multiple people for. Just go look at their payroll. Lastly both have been here over 25 years and their experience and institutional knowledge is irreplaceable. Should she retire and someone replace her, obviously they would make a good amount less especially if they are young and inexperienced.

  • Jack
    Posted at 08:18h, 22 August

    SOS – I am just stating what they told me. Secondly, I am not personally close to any of them but if I was what does that matter? What does that have to do with this discussion?

  • SOS
    Posted at 08:33h, 22 August

    Jack, she might “be there” over 32 hours, but as we have explained she also does Fire Dist. books while on Township time and gets paid very well from them. Also everyone can see that the red truck sits up there a lot. Oh and part of that time is spent sitting in there smoking, which I believe is against state law.

  • SOS
    Posted at 08:43h, 22 August

    Oh, and Jack, the people in the Attorney General’s office don’t live here either but they might have something to say about some of this. Time will tell.

  • Aware n Arcola
    Posted at 12:22h, 22 August

    Jack,you are correct the Road Commissoner and the Secretary do handle and run everything in the Twp. out of that office.And just look at what we have to show for their efforts,a pending lawsuit at the courthouse,and the IL.Attorney General breathing down necks!Their 25 years of experience and institutional knowledge at present I wish we could replace.Should she retire(we can only hope)I’ll bet we could hire someone that could file 1099’s with the IRS.

  • Arcola Lola
    Posted at 12:58h, 22 August

    Jack, personally I think that you are full of it. You are closer to the group over at the township than you want people to know. You know WAY too much to be just an innocent resident of the town.
    As for the comment that you made to Jim about his not living here. So what? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see what’s going on here. The taxpayers are getting screwed by illegal activity at the township office. Anyone that drives on any township maintained road and then sees their budget knows what’s going on and it isn’t road maintenance or “comfort station” things either!
    And as for your name calling. I find it interesting that when backed into a corner, you resort to name calling. Seems to me that makes YOU look like the “dope”.
    You responded to SOS by saying that you are stating what they (the township) told you. I really wouldn’t put a whole lot of faith in anything that they told me because it seems that they are all liars and cheats anyway. That has already been seen!
    Oh and let me warn you about their attorney Jim, he has WAY too many friends at the courthouse and he is notorious for “holding up” court with his delays. Not only wasting time for the judicial system, but wasting yet more tax dollars!!! And I know that he has some health issues at the present time, but why they couldn’t just comply with the FOIA request like any other governing body would have? We wouldn’t be where we are right now if they had.

  • Definition
    Posted at 13:20h, 22 August

    hy-per-bo-le n.exaggereration for effect,not meant to betaken literally

  • Mike
    Posted at 13:45h, 22 August

    So all of you guys thinks she fills out that monthly report for the Fire Department on township time and collects another 11,000k from taxpayers and us Fireman receive 0 compensation. Of course I heard Corky Clark president of the fire board say we could not do this without her. And Corky Clark said as township supervisor we could not do this without her. Starting to sound like we over here are pretty stupid because we can’t run a fire dept. or township without the same person in charge. It is not very hard to determine which one that is. Jack REALLY?

  • JW
    Posted at 13:58h, 22 August

    Are all of you voters in Arcola paying attention? The township still will not release any of your information.
    Why won’t Bill Coombe as FOIA officer not attend the court date and answer a judge as to why they do not want to give out gas receipts. They have said they have rectified the problem and they are just looking out for the voters of Arcola. They must not be real good with that . That would save us taxpayers money or would they just have to pass that thru to the secretary

  • Old Cop
    Posted at 14:21h, 22 August

    Population of Arcola: 3000
    Informed voters 400
    Informed voters that were told the truth 50
    # of Morons named Jack 1
    We can fix this

  • Jill
    Posted at 18:46h, 22 August

    Jack,now that the board knows of the gas cards and the lack of 1099’s filed for compensation(I believe you called it an oversight)wouldn’t they be legally bound to contact the I.R.S.?Or is that the job of the ECWD too.P.S.was the $4600.00 raise to help pay the fines and penalties,after all it goes back to 1998.

  • Definitions
    Posted at 18:55h, 22 August

    sec-re-tar-y- n. one entrusted with secrets 1 one who keeps records,handles correspondence,etc.for an organization or person 2 the head of a government department 3 a writing desk.

  • Sewn Sally
    Posted at 19:11h, 22 August

    For the board,I see where the clothing drive is very much on your minds.I would suggest you keep a lookout for a simple button down blouse with some stripes,and numbers across the chest.It may become quite the fashion on Main St.

  • SOS
    Posted at 21:37h, 22 August

    Good one, Sewn Sally.

  • Legal Brief
    Posted at 07:15h, 23 August

    Jill raises a very good question.It would seem the lack of a 1099 for compensation payed through the gas cards issued by the Road Comm. would be a violation of the I.R.S.tax code.The current board apparently discovered this violation and made changes to rectifiy the situtation.Now with that said I would think the board if they did not report the
    “oversight”to the I.R.S. could be considered a knowing acomplice to the violation.Perhaps Mr. Kraft could shead some light on this matter.

  • Teed Off
    Posted at 09:51h, 23 August

    Hey Jack,maybe you can explain this one.You guys keep saying over and over how the Twp. gets audited and no problems are ever found.Well thanks to Supervisor Clark we now know that the secretary has gotten gas since 1998 with no 1099’s filed.That fact alone should force the Supervisor to order a complete and indepndent audit as mentioned earlier by Legal Brief.Since this issue has never come to light before the unanswered FOIA’s took the Twp. to court,why are we to believe there aren’t more discrepancies lurking in the Twp. files?The same two run the Cemetery Board,whats been going on there?Do they get the same audit as the Twp. Board?We can now see how reliable that one is.25 year’s can teach a person to become very good at the old shell game.It’s getting more clear as time passes why they are fighting so hard to keep from answering FOIA requests,information the taxpayer has a right to.

  • Steve Holaday
    Posted at 11:14h, 23 August

    I was made aware of this site by a friend a few days ago. I spent a little time reading some of the posts and was quite frankly surprised at some of the vicious attacks on some very fine citizens of Arcola. I know all the people mentioned in the posts I have read, and I believe they are all good people and have raised good families. You may not agree with some of their actions while performing a certain job, but I see no need for such public attacks. Sure, we have all said some unflattering things about people when gathered with a friend, but going to the social media is too much, unless you want to sign your name to it. Heck, I butted heads with Bill many times when on the Co-Op board together. Larry and I had a vigorous debate over the benefits vrs. the expenditures associated with TIF. I’ve voiced my opinion to Mark over Country Club matters, and in every case I respected their opinion and I hope they respected mine. Either way, there was no name calling or calling each other a “liar”. This is my first and probably last post unless someone wants to respond to me with their real name. Otherwise, don’t waste your time because I won’t read it. You see, if you don’t respect what you have to say enough to sign your name, then why should I take the time to read it?

  • SOS
    Posted at 15:46h, 23 August

    Legal Brief, one small problem with your post. The Board didn’t discover the violation. The public did.

  • Arcola Lola
    Posted at 16:49h, 23 August

    Just a question Steve. Why should I use my name when I know that Deana is vengeful? Also, if you don’t like that I don’t put my name, don’t read my posts, it won’t bother me a bit.
    And let me make a correction, you stated that these are “fine citizens of Arcola”. Deana is a resident of Kemp, which is not even in the Arcola township. So your statement would exclude her.
    There is a real bad taste in peoples’ mouths because of all of the things that are coming to light lately all seeming to revolve around her. This is going to do nothing but give the town of Arcola a black eye and make the township look terrible. So I feel that people have every right to voice their anger, frustration, disapointment, etc…however they want. It just so happens that this is social media.

  • J.W. Daggott
    Posted at 07:07h, 24 August

    Steve Holaday , So this is my real name and several others have used there real names also, for what difference that makes, except to divert from the real subject. So please respond to my questions. 1. Was this the practice of the CO-OP board when you and Bill Coombe were on it to not give out information to your fellow farmers about there co-op? 2. If so,then do you agree, that receipts for expenditures of taxpayers monies spent by the township should be kept hidden from the public? 3. Should the township need to hire an attorney to protect the actions of what the board has done with the township and not make all of that public? This is just 3 of many questions the public seem to be asking and have a right to the answers, as for public media this is 2013 and should the township have secrets that the taxpayers should not know and public media is a great way to get that info out. Looking forward to hearing your response. J. W. Dagott

  • Terry Foran
    Posted at 14:50h, 24 August

    Steve.I welcome your intrest into what is going on here.I have spent a little time under the bus so to speak, on this web site and with a little more time I hope to have it as clean as the top side.Now I can give you a little insight as to why some people are a little shy about using their own names.You probably remember back to the cacus when I was nominated for the position of Road Commisioner,and I accepted it.Well that raised a few eyebrows,and that’s ok .It was ok untill one day I was at the shop and Marcia called and asked me to come home,you see we received a letter in the mail:with no return adress.It was’nt very nice!There was one that bothered us more than the others,only because we knew where it came from.So having said that you can surely understand why local citizens may be a little shy about signing the posts.After all getting the bills in the mail should be a family’s biggest worry.Steve I’ve known you for awhile and unless you;ve changed, I remember you as being fairly conservative.I don’nt recall you lighting cigars with $20.00 bills.Some of the views posted as you have probably read,deal with Twpship’s finances.And that’s ok,because I feel if you take the time to vote you should be affored a voice for that vote.There is to much for the space here to go into everything,so Steve if you care to discuss this futher call me,heck we could have our own little beer sumit.I just may learn something new from you,and I promise you will learn something new from me.In closing Marcia and I were asked to get involved and did get involved because some thought a changed was needed.She watched her dad at the Township for many years and knew second only to family,Arcola and the people in the Township were his greatest love.Now I did’nt always agree with everything Ole Jack said or did,but I know if he were still here,the Township would’nt be going to court over FOIA’s and have the IL. Att. Gen.looking our way.Ole Jack would have found a way to straighten this mess out.Respectfully Terry Foran

  • Big n Bowdre
    Posted at 18:34h, 24 August

    Steve,I know you mean well but think about it.There is a reason why the Queen of Kemp was sent on her way.We are not very loyal subjects when it comes to the monarchy and the ruling class.Terry was right,you guys needed a change and did’nt take it, so be it.We were not going to change to suit her, now it would appear the court system may make Arcola Township change ,like it or not.

  • Definitions
    Posted at 12:39h, 25 August

    road commissioner-a local or county offical who supervises the construction of roads

  • Legal Brief
    Posted at 14:43h, 25 August

    SOS,I stand corrected.I still am curious as to the board’s liablity in the fact that they now know about the gas card’s,thank’s to the public.Unless they step foward and act on that knowledge,the Twp. may find themselves fighting yet another lawsuit.

  • Steve Holaday
    Posted at 15:06h, 25 August

    Terry and JW. Thanks so much for responding because you guys have brought to my attention something that I tried very hard not to do. That is: Take sides. If I sounded like I was taking sides, I am not. It’s just that I read some nasty stuff on some posts and I felt like the discussion was getting personal and not keeping to the subject matter. Of course, if there is wrong doing, then I want it cleaned up. However, it seems to me this case has been tried and is over before it even gets to court. Terry, I feel for you and Marcia. I got anonymous letters when I was on the school board, so I know the feeling. In fact, that was probably one of my driving forces to write. It sucks when people mix up personal feelings with what they might think of the job you are doing. I just know that most people who get on boards or committees do not do it for the money, but rather as a community service. JW, to your questions, I’m just not going to comment on your three questions because I know almost nothing about what’s going on with the twnsp. You guys probably know more than I. I just am going to trust the courts, and believe our elected officials are innocent until proven guilty. I only made my first post bc it got back to me that some people had thought I had already made a post. This will probably be my last post unless someone wants to know how my crops are doing, or my thoughts on the Bears winning the Super Bowl. I just have nothing more to say about the twnsp other than whatever happens, I hope it happens fast so we can all get back together as a community! Thanks, Steve

  • Terry Foran
    Posted at 17:10h, 25 August

    Steve,I would still like that beer sumit.I’ll buy.

  • SOS
    Posted at 17:23h, 25 August

    The sad part is, one person alone has caused all these problems at Township and she does not even live in our Township. You would think with all the meetings she has gone (instead of the elected official that should go) that has made her so “invaluable” she would know they have to respond to FOIAs, cannot use taxpayer moneyr personal reasons,

  • Lake Lady
    Posted at 18:34h, 25 August

    Terry i would’nt let Steve get off to easy.If he is as fair minded as he sounds and will listen it might change his thinking.It would appear from reading his responce that he has gotten one side of the story.This attitude of what ever happens,happens has landed the good people of the Arcola Township in a lawsuit.Oh and by the way,any body heard from Jack,George,orEagle,I do’nt think Steve talked them into posting their names.

  • SOS
    Posted at 19:11h, 25 August

    Just wondering, what kind of books does she do for FD that justifies $11,000 plus a yr? That amount could help buy a piece of equipment every year. Doesn’t the board have a secretary and treasurer?

  • Terry Foran
    Posted at 19:34h, 25 August

    Lake Lady don’t worry we will talk.

  • High Rider
    Posted at 07:56h, 26 August

    I can’t help but wonder why anyone defending the Township hasn’t answered Teed Off,when they asked about the audit.How many audits have been done without ever catching the lack of filing 1099’s for gas compensation?Is it because of the” 25+year’s of experience and institutional knowledge”as Jack posted eariler,that has enabled her to keep such information hidden.

  • J.W.
    Posted at 08:02h, 26 August

    Steve, I assume by the lack of response from my three questions you and Bill Coombes did condone
    this kind of behavior on the board at the Co-Op. I assume that is alright for you guys to do that because that was not taxpayers monies and I have no vested interest in that, so that question I do not need an answer to. And as for the other two questions I guess this is the problem with most government bodies, Accountability. Even when we have something we can fix ,most of the time we would much rather puff up our chest and tell how we could fix our government in Washington when we all know it has to start at the local level. And seriously do you believe this is a matter that we should have to have the court system resolve. If so I think we have bigger problems than just hiding receipts. If you agree with any part of this please respond maybe there is some hope to get this resolved.

  • Jill
    Posted at 08:18h, 26 August

    jmkraft,any news on a new date for the Twp.lawsuit hearing at the courthouse?

  • Big Cheese
    Posted at 09:59h, 26 August

    Sos, I have heard that Dick Moore is the secretary of the fire board. He has been overheard to say he can’t do his job without without Deana . Seems to be a pattern forming here doesn’t there. Can anybody do there job that has either been elected to or appointed to without someone else? No backbone comes to mind every time I hear these stories. Yet it seems as though there are just a select few that is striving for honesty and what is morally right.Keep it up

  • Aware n Arcola
    Posted at 10:29h, 26 August

    Jill we all hope the best for Mr. Petty,but why in the world would the date have to be postponed in the first place?Why could’nt Supervisor Clark and Clerk Coombe simply go to the hearing with the information being witheld from the FOIA’s,and clear this up?It would save the Twp. money and release taxpayer information the public has a right to anyway.

  • Mike
    Posted at 11:27h, 26 August

    So does Dick Moore get $11000.00 from Fire Department also for being secretary or is it just Deana. All of us heard that she was the only one that got paid. It is a little hard to get information over here also. Hopefully at the dedication maybe all of the volunteer fireman will get there just do and get there name on the wall. After all they are the ones this is all about, (Right)

  • SOS
    Posted at 12:51h, 26 August

    He can’t do his job without her, or she does his job to for him?

  • Dee Wayne
    Posted at 13:08h, 26 August

    You guys sound like you have many issues over there to take care of. When this first started we thought it was just the clerk Bill Coombe did not know how to do his job. The way it sounds now maybe it is just the secretary telling him HOW he is going to do his job. What is unclear is,Why is this?Steve was correct this needs to be cleared up soon you guys over there are looking pretty foolish.

  • Definitions
    Posted at 17:41h, 26 August

    in-fi-del-i-ty- n. failure in loyalty : adultery : lack of religious belief

  • SOS
    Posted at 18:17h, 26 August

    No Dee Wayne. There is just one big problem AND she needs to go.

  • The Prophet
    Posted at 19:09h, 26 August

    Heed the wind fore it is changing

  • SOS
    Posted at 19:57h, 26 August

    No Dee Wayne, there is only one BIG problem and it is time she go.

  • Terry Foran
    Posted at 07:36h, 30 August

    Steve, not asking anybody to take sides , just asking for an open mind.Let’s talk.

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