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!
