Pledging Allegiance to Township Government & Using Public Office for Political Purposes

The McHenry County Township Highway Commissioners Association, Robert J. Miller, President, sent a letter to County Board members asking questions and containing a “Pledge of Local Government Support.”

The "Pledge of Local Government Support" on which McHenry County Township Highway Commissioners are seeking signatures of candidates for public office.

The “Pledge of Local Government Support” on which McHenry County Township Highway Commissioners are seeking signatures of candidates for public office.

In addition, there is a questionnaire asking for

  • name
  • address
  • township
  • whether one lives in the unincorporated area
  • length of residence
  • office sought
  • “Do you support improving and maintaining existing infrastructure (such as roads and bridges) prior to investing in infrastructure expansion?
  • Would you support scaling back larger units of government or transferring services to other agencies to provide meaningful tax relief?
  • Do you believe that dealing with an agency such as the State of Illinois is easier than contacting a local unit of government to ask for assistance on an issue?
  • As a current/future elected official of McHenry County do you believe that using county resources to review and discuss the elimination or consolidation of other governmental units is an appropriate use of county staff and funds?
  • How do you fell you can reduce county reliance on property taxes?

Of interest to some might be that the stamped return envelope provided is addressed to the Marengo Township Offices, as you can see below:

The address on the return envelope.

The address on the return envelope.

Below is the address for Marengo Township offices listed in last year’s edition of the McHenry County Yearbook:

The address listed for Marengo Township in the McHenry County Yearbook.

The address listed for Marengo Township in the McHenry County Yearbook.


Comments

Pledging Allegiance to Township Government & Using Public Office for Political Purposes — 22 Comments

  1. Not smart.

    Anderson is smiling from ear to ear!

    Also, if the above is an exact representation, they needed better proof readers.

    Maybe Bob’s Executive Secretary was the proof reader?

  2. Who needs the Gestapo when we have Township Road Commissioners?

  3. “Provides that all townships in a county may be dissolved by referendum, through either citizen petition or county board ordinance.”

    That was taken from the legislation mentioned by DMAC57
    “or county board ordinance” stinks of political nonsense, only by referendum should any gov agency be consolidated or eliminated.

    Also there should be a requirement of a 2/3 vote of approval to make any changes to stop the as the wind blows nonsense.

    As the wind blows got us a almost 20T Fed debt and a unrealistic State debt.

  4. This is likely illegal in some form or fashion.

    If the “McHenry County Township Highway Commissioners Association” is a non-profit, they are not permitted to participate in political activities. It’s unlikely that they can be treated as a PAC because the organization is involved in governmental affairs:

    The organization has an appointee to the McHenry County Senior Services Commission. https://www.co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-a-i/administration/senior-services-grant-commission/commission-by-laws

    The organization has made decisions as a government body (this in itself is questionable) to “standardize ordinances.
    http://www.mchenrytownship.com/seasonal.html

    The organization should be audited to see if ANY taxpayer funds are used to fund it. If so all of the members are guilty of corruption and should resign.

  5. This is a county wide group of highway commissioners they exist in many counties.

    They are polling for supporters and this does have to do with their office.

    My township supports the area municipalities all the time.

    I don’t want the county controlling the roads it will cost significantly more

  6. We need some government, how much will be debated till the end of the earth.

    As tax payers we must take away some of the power/decision making away from our elected officials, spending, setting tax rates, and borrowing.

    These three issues were problems that were never addressed properly when the country was formed and Constitution was written.

    They should have been, but the partisan nonsense started already way back then with over spending and borrowing to buy votes.

    Spending must always match actual revenue available at the time, ie what we are willing to give in the form of taxation.

    Borrowing should only be allowed with voter approval.

    Individual Income tax rates and Property tax rates should not be roller coasters of ever changing rates, which just leads to insecurity for the tax payer not knowing what is coming next from the elected to buy votes. T

    hat is called: As the wind blows nonsense.

    I would propose we force our elected by Petition, which is allowed in the constitution, to enact a Balanced Budget Amendment that has the income tax rate and/or property tax rate control tied to it.

    The Congress, State, and Local government agencies will only be allowed to adjust the income or property tax rates after a 2/3 approval vote within its legal boundary.

    Our choice, the citizens of the country, state, county, and local government, with a strong majority vote behind changes, not the Pacs controlling the over the top partisan as the wind blows hacks.
    Government agencies that use Property taxes should have no levy power or equalizer or ability to raise taxes because of inflation, whatever the home value, up or down, the rate we voted on determines what is paid in taxes.

    Not enough as most elected seem to keep saying, then come to us with your yearly or two year budget recommendations and let us vote 2/3 for any change from the year before.

    No more passing on our debt to future generations should be allowed.

    We borrow almost 40% for the Fed Gov now that must stop ASAP.

    We can budget a pay back of our various government debts, it’s time we correct our mistakes as lazy sleeping citizens and move on as a country with fiscally responsible government.

    I listening for other suggestions, got one?

  7. I’m confused now.

    Based on the McNamara coverage, I thought this blog supported political patronage?

    Or is that just for candidates who have ad’s placed here?

    That bit of fun aside.

    This “pledge of support” may be the worse thought out political decision in this area since Prim’s hiring decision.

  8. This is township employees circling the wagons protecting their jobs.

    It is also placing a threat and ultimatum in the path of political candidates with retribution to those who don’t comply.

    The Millers MUST MUST go.

    They act in THEIR (and their children, and sons-in-laws) self interest.

    Anna May is 1st to go on 3/15/16.

    Then perhaps Bob in 2 years.

    Please voters of District 1, do the right thing.

    Free yourselves from the yoke of the Miller fiefdom.

    Vote for Wilbeck & Barnes.

  9. This is a joke, right??

    The elected officials with the most family members – taking the most taxpayer dollars- working under their regime!

    Haha!

    Is he and his Canadian wife/overpaid secretary/county board member/transportation committee chair, ready to let go of all their family members?

    Until that happens, I’m just laughing my arse off at this one!

    I’m sure he was hoping this would bring him some positive pres, in a race where most everyone wants to rid him and his money grubbing family off the taxpayer payroll!!!!

  10. Sounds like the Contract with America, where do you stand, another Rep dealy.

  11. I pledge allegiance,

    To the Millers,

    And the McHenry County Road Commissioners,

    And to the townships,

    For which we stand,

    Our livelihoods,

    Under Bob (and Anna May),

    With nepotism,

    And patronage,

    For all.

  12. I hope they publish who does and does not sign this document so that we know who stands where.

  13. Are you then going after all families with multiple family members who are elected?

    This county is filled with examples of concentrated power in the hands of families.

  14. Yeah, Inish, but let’s start with the Millers, make them an example, and by the time we get to others, they may have corrected their blunders and boners!

    This is clearly Intimidation! and possibly an illegal act by Miller.

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