Demetrio Tsilimigas

The Algonquin Township Republican Party will hold a seminar on how to make a difference in local government on Monday, June 15th, at County GOP Headquarters in the Crystal Lake Plaza (16E), Demetri Tsilimigras announced today.

Steve Willson, one of two presenters at the seminar on serving in public office, talks about there being two kinds of people who serve on governmental bodies:

• Cheerleaders
• Taxpayer Representatives

Too often those with the taxpayers best interest at heart don’t want to spend the time it takes to serve on a public body.

When asked about the purpose of the seminar, Willson said,

Steve Willson

“There are too many cheerleaders on local government boards today, people who identify with the government instead of with the taxpayers.

“It’s why our taxes are so high.

“The purpose of this seminar is to give trustees for school districts, municipalities and other local governments the tools they need to be effective in serving the taxpayers.

“We will show them what questions to ask, where to find independent information, how to understand a budget, and the basics of municipal borrowing.

“With these basics, they can continue to learn on their own.

“My goal is to create skeptics.

“Skeptics are people who are willing to be convinced, but who demand objective proof.

“Skeptics are the foil for the cheerleaders.

“We welcome all elected officials, new and veteran, and people considering running for office.”

The lack of taxpayer advocates is all too evident with the tax-bloated Valley Hi Operating Board.

With about $39 million now sitting in various banks and a usually balance budget of $10-11 million, the County Board has set three deadlines for applications to the Board.  (Deadline June 30th, 2 PM.  Application link here.)

The County Board application notice says that people are being sought with a healthcare background. What is really needed are people who think that having almost $40 million in the bank is outrageous (although to stand a chance of being appointed, one would not be strident about that in the Public Health Committee interview). Last week, there was $38.7 million in the bank accounts–only $12 million in Certificates of Deposit.

Although there are three applicants for three appointed vacancies for Valley Hi, the County Board apparently is not pleased with oneor more of them.

Hence, the reaching out not once, not twice, but three times for more people to apply.

But having exactly the number of applicants for the vacancies available on a board did not stop the County Board from appointing a horse riding advocate to the McHenry County Conservation Board recently.

While the Monday seminar is probably aimed more at those serving on elected boards–like school boards, if any taxpayer advocates serve on any of them–my digression above certainly indicates that those on appointed boards might learn how to be more effective by attending.

Here are the details:

This meeting is not limited to Republican Precinct Committeemen.

Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras will present the part of the meeting on Roberts Rules of Order.