Edgar County (ECWd) –
Has our Society turned upside down to where right is wrong and wrong is right, and if you get your hand caught in cookie jar while stealing cookies we simply put more cookies in it? It appears so in Edgar County.
Within hours of yesterday’s county board special meeting on the Conflict of Interest matter, the internet was buzzing with claims that IDOT made a determination that there was no conflict.
Let’s be very clear to the people of this county: We are not stupid and know a conflict when it is so boldly thrown in our faces.
Mr. Patrick’s own words support that there is in fact a conflict and the very action taken at this meeting supports that fact.
“As of yesterday it resolves the situation”
What situation Mr. Patrick?
The truth is, the situation is a conflict of interest, and the very fact that this board had to pass multiple resolutions in order to isolate Mr. Patrick from performing his elected duties confirms that fact.
1st Resolution – 2nd Resolution
If there is no conflict why are any special measures needed?
More evidence that there is a Conflict is the fact that Mr. Patrick has to sign yet another recusal letter. So here we are again, several months down the road on the Conflict issue and we have yet another recusal letter that has to be executed.
If there is no conflict and never has been as Mr. Patrick so boldly keeps claiming, why is he signing yet another recusal letter?
We all know he can’t be trusted and his own actions support that. What stops him from violating this recusal letter just like he did with the last one?
I suspect we are at a point with IDOT that they have been assured that if Mr. Patrick violates this recusal letter then our State’s Attorney will prosecute him. Odds are that the “I didn’t know” garbage was played as a newly seated elected official and they gave him a pass.
Mr. Patrick’s right hand cronie, Mike Heltsley shows his brilliance yet again during the meeting. At the 18:52 mark in the audio the very man that stated in a past highway meeting that it most definitely was a conflict and acknowledged it when complaining about passing three bills to pay Zimmerly, has now done a 180 degree turn and doesn’t see a conflict. When questioned on it after the meeting he refused to answer the question and squirmed out of the room.
Audio of the meeting (Video is at bottom of this page)
At the 9:20 mark in the audio file you can clearly hear Mr. Patrick make a claim that IDOT asked them to do this, in reference to the first recusal letter.
Oh Really Mr. Patrick?
If that is true then why was it not only disputed by other county board members but you sat silent when the truth came out. Karl Farnham points to Mark Isaf as the one suggesting this resolution, as he thought it would be a good gesture to convince IDOT to release funding.
In a clear exhibit of Courage, Dan Bruner and Jeff Voigt spoke their minds and did not support Chris Patrick in his efforts to shrug off his duly elected duties as it relates to the first resolution. The second resolution passed anonymous and I think most agreed it would isolate Mr. Patrick from the highway engineer, which needs to be done considering Mr. Patrick has a clear negative attitude towards him.
Sadly, I believe these people have yet again stepped off into territory not supported by law, and I suspect a judicial review is coming. I forwarded my thoughts on the matter to IDOT as well as Mark Isaf and others.
The email I sent today while drafting this article spells out some very concerning issues, that when crossed with our State Constitution, I believe proves those resolutions violate our laws. (e-mail sent to IDOT)
At some point our laws need to be followed and complied with, and I believe going back to the most basic of those laws, our Constitution, is the first step that should be focused on. For all to long people in this county have done what they want, when they want, with no regard to our laws and the impact their actions have on our society.
I ask that the good people of this county stand up and be heard. You can make a difference!
We the People will not be silenced!
19 Responses
The State’s Attorney at a FOIA conference? HA! Pretty ironic. I hope he imparts his newly acquired knowledge AND some stern direction to some of the county board members!
Regarding Mr. Bogue’s comments, why is the state’s attorney absent? I think we know why he does not regularly attend. He wants to separate himself from the sham. Question for Watchdogs…how much of the state’s attorney’s correspondence and legal advice to the board, is (or should be) public record and subject to foia? I would think there are laws governing the legal advice he gives to the people’s board.
On another note, INTEGRITY ALWAYS LEADS, so, DAN BRUNER for county board chairman!
Mark Isaf was in Springfield at a FOIA conference last Friday during the meeting.
I attended this county board meeting along with a few close friends (retired of course since had they been at work they would have been unable to attend; like the rest of the working Edgar County residents).
The point is, if you cannot attend these meetings then how will you know exactly what is going on?
These meetings need to be held in the evenings so that all of the Edgar County tax payers can see what we’re getting in return for our tax dollars and have the opportunity to let our officials know what our thoughts are. Remember the part “elected by the people and for the people”? It’s not happening here.
We sat in stunned disbelief as Zuber, Heltsley, Farnham and Jennes voted to circumvent the state laws and protections designed to insure that our government operates in a manner safe from fraud, special interests groups and abuse. Those things work everywhere else accross the state, but seem to be a big problem here in Edgar County.
Certainly the matters at hand, a conflict of interest, has occurred elsewhere. So why didn’t our board provide an example of another county providing some of these special fix’ins: at any time, in Illinois history?
Could it be, this is a first; not just for Edgar County but for the entire state. Will it work as we’ve all been assured? Probably not for the reasons enumerated by John and Kirk.
Mark Isaf’s name was mentioned…but he wasn’t present to answer questions or to be addressed by the public. Conveniently absent for training? Why wasn’t this meeting arranged for him to be present? When this goes south, and it can, will it implicate him and affect his political future? You bet.
I’ve been approached by so many residents that are throughly fed up with this stuff, like making special deals for someone special. Cronies dedicated to making new rules for their bud; since those laws and rules that apply state wide are a problem locally. Fed up with the stupidness. Tired of not being heard.
For those of you that are feeling pretty helpless and would like to help, there are options available such as voting, attending meetings, discussing this with friends, writing your comments on web pages, talking to our board members and even making donations to the Edgar County Watchdogs.
Kirk and John are working diligently on the problems like this in Edgar and surrounding counties. They’re not funded with tax dollars like Chris, Jimmy, Isaf, Heltsley, Zuber, Jennes and Farnham. They have no financial interest in government, but they want honest open government. Apparently the few socially elete here in Edgar County, want to run the county as if it were there own private club, making the rules up as they go to protect their own. That is exactly what they are trying to do. Why is it, these special fix’ins are needed in Edgar County?
This present situation with Chris follows on another mess he and Jimmy created at our Edgar County Airport. After months of pointing out Jimmy’s out ragious actions, not a single board meeting has been held to investigate his wrong doings. Does anyone remember the November Advisory Board Meeting inwhich breastfeeding mothers and their infants were banned from the airport? For those saying it wasn’t so, ask if it were not the case, then what exactly was the problem? What did they vote on? What has been resolved since then? What about blocking airport hanger doors? Was that legal? Has anyone asked about the rent that Jimmy has refused to accept for the past 6 months from Rusty…rent worth over $4,000.00 to the county, or the rent Jimmy hasn’t paid for the past 5 years worth over $12,000.00? What about the side businesses conducted at the airport on the county dime by both Jimmy and Lisa? Not a single county board meeting called to investigate. And if you’ve been following the county board meetings, minutes and this web site, you’re aware there’s lots more.
Patrick, Wells, Jenness, Heltsley, Zuber, Isaf and Farnham are obviously in the club and support these changes on Chris’s behalf. Bennett, is trying to join in again. The only two board members worth their salt is Voight and Brunner. These guys are independent thinkers that are studying the issues, reading, and responding to information avaiable. They are honorable people with integrity. We have many great things here in Edgar County and wonderful people; but unfortuantely our local government and several members on our county board just isn’t one of them.
Why does Mike Heltsley back everything Chris Patrick does? There’s got to be a reason. Let’s wait and see if his name pops up wanting something. Maybe an appointment or something that would be of benefit to him. He will need the boards help and others if he does. Lets see if and where his name pops up.
Sandy Richey Hissem liked this on Facebook.
May God Have Mercy on our society. I am shocked that we now have people so willing to defend and assist in violating the most basic understanding of our laws.
1st to be thrown out of office – Mark Isaf
Patrick next!
Then all of those that supported Patrick! We must bring an end to this sickness that has controlled this county for so many years.
Pray people because Evil is amongst us!
How do we go about a recall vote for those supporting Chris, and how about a no confidence vote for them as well. Thank Mr. Voight and Mr. Bruner for showing us what good character looks and acts like. Kudos to the both of you. Shame on the rest. Character shows in our daily lives, some of the board members have none, the past could raise it’s ugly head someday. What goes around comes around.
Charles Thomas liked this on Facebook.
Thank you Mr. Voight and Mr. Bruner for allowing me to believe there are stil men of character in our county. Shame on the rest of you. I see no promise that the grant money has been guaranteed. Any way you look at it Mr. Patrick will profit from our tax dollars if any county money is spent with his business. To those of you supporting him I will no longer support you and neither will a lot of the people I know. You have manipulated the law to serve Mr. Patrick and I don’t respect you any more.
just one of many in edgar county
Cheryl Gill liked this on Facebook.
So, did Senator Rose lobby idot on behalf of Chris PAtrick? That’s important for all of us to know.
If he did we need tospread to word of his involvement in this travesty of breaking the law and hold him accountable. It looks as though the Chicago machine corruption can turn our senators who are suppose to be working for us into someone who only looks after number one. As with Chris who is only for himself, not the people he is suppose to work for. The next election cannot get here soon enough. Anyone who sides with Chris needs to be voted out, no questions asked! That could include senators etc. also.
Those that plan and connive will do and say anything you want to hear and then do exactly what they want to do without regards to any authority. Thank you Dan Bruner for guarding your integrity! True colors are shining brightly in this mess and we know which ones should never be re-elected with certainty. Whether the people of Paris will stand for what is right we do not know, but rewards and kudos will follow those that do!!
The network wins again.
Donna Bussart-Stiff liked this on Facebook.
Every one of the board members that allow Chris to get away with these illegal should be voted out of office at the next election, with the exception of Dan who seems to be the only one who will go up against the rest. He has more integrety than the rest. I have known Dan for twenty years, he has always been honest and a standup person. I would trust him to always do the right thing. He is a professtional in his job and never wavers from what is right, which has been shown by his actions as a board member. The others, some I would not trust with my life, or my dogs life. Mike, you are new, but I will not be voting for you the next election. I don’t trust you.
Blake Stiff liked this on Facebook.