McHenry County Blog

The five-member Grafton Township Board had only Trustees Barbara Murphy, Betty Zirk and Gerry McMahon in attendance Thursday night.

With Township Supervisor Linda Moore in Texas for her daughter’s college graduation and Rob LaPorta also absent, the meeting was relatively short and peaceful.

Newly-elected Township Supervisor Jim Kearns sat in the back row looking at the Board packet. To his right is Dan Ziller, Sr.

No one raised his voice or went off on a rant. Trustee Gerry McMahon even sat facing the audience.

Unlike the outgoing McHenry County College Board, the old Township Board, chaired Thursday by Barbara Murphy, spent much of the meeting deferring to their successors, referring several times to newly-elected Independent Supervisor Jim Kearns, who was sitting in the back row.

The Road District’s budget, for example, was not passed, even though that was the wish of outgoing Road Commissioner Jack Freund.

“The new Board comes in on the 20th,” Trustee Betty Zirk, the only member of the Board to seek and win re-election.

When it came time for to consider the bills, Zirk had a list of those to exclude. They included

Betty Zirk

• $2,644.68 charged to a BMO Harris credit card (postage, telephone, equipment maintenance, travel expenses, etc.)
• $864.20 for J.A. Jetchmark, Ltd.
• $475 for McHenry County Council of Governments dues
• $295.60 for printing to Total Point of Video, Inc.
• $24,162.50 billed for legal fees by Moore attorney John Nelson
• $39,007.89 billed for legal services from March, 2012, through March, 2013, by Moore attorney Ottosen Britz Kelly Cooper Gilbert & DiNilf

The Trustees’ law firm, Ancel Glink, however, was paid $5,747.48.

“In order to meet the payroll next week, I don’t think we can pay any bills,” Zirk said.

Zirk also mentioned that Township Road Commissioner was owed $7,161.20 to cover health insurance for his wife.

“He could get it cheaper by getting it through his wife’s than through the Township,” she explained.

The motion approving the bills noted that they would be paid when money was available.

Grafton Township Assessor Bill Ottley, Road Commissioner-Elect Tom Pozanaski, a Grafton Township Highway Department employee, Road Commissioner Jack Freund and Township Clerk Harriet Ford.

As outgoing Township Assessor Bill Ottley was leaving after the bills were approved, he was thanked for his service for the last four years. The sparse audience applauded.

Ottley reminded them that he would be around through December, when his term expires.

“And you, too, Jack,” one of the Trustees added.

Zirk then talked about how audit expenses should be allocated. She suggested Public Assistance pay 5% and the Road District 35%.

Freund objected to the number she suggested, saying, “I’ll pay 25% like I’ve always been paying.”

Trustee Gerry McMahon suggest a compromised of 28%. Freund did not agree.

After some discussion, Zirk suggested asking the auditor how much time he spent on the Road District budget and the matter was deferred.

As the meeting was drawing to a close, Murphy said,

“There’s a part of me that is worry for the way things ended up. I regret that.”

Part of the audience at Thursday’s meeting.

A letter from the forensic auditor was read in which he detailed Moore’s refusal to sign the engagement letter and a payment until ordered by Judge

He also said he was unable to obtain original copies of the warrant lists.

Township Clerk Harriot Ford pointed out the documents were on the web site.

“I look forward to things moving on a real positive way,” she said shortly before the meeting adjourned.

Also in the audience was newly-elected Township Assessor Al Zielinski.

A press release from Grafton Township Assessor Al Zielinski:

Alan Zielinski, humbly and gratefully accepts the voters’ directive to be their new Grafton Township Assessor

VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD, IL (April 18, 2013) – Alan Zielinski, Grafton Township’s Assessor-Elect, was humbled by the voters’ choice in the recent election and is extremely grateful.

Al Zielinski

“My sole purpose in running for office was leveraging my education, experience and empathy to serve the people of Grafton Township. The voters have given me that opportunity to serve,” said Zielinski.

Although he doesn’t take office until January 1, 2014, Zielinski is not planning to stand idly by.

• “Representative Tryon invited my help bringing a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights to the floor of the Illinois legislature so I’ve contacted other appraisers and assessors to gain their ideas.
• By the end of May, I’ll have contacted the Grafton Food Pantry to see how best we can utilize the contributions starting next year.
• Later this year, I’ll be seeking the incumbent’s and staff’s guidance as to how we can have a completely seamless transition.” said Zielinski.

Zielinski continued: “It’s not just about valuation; it’s also about helping Grafton Township heal and move forward.

“I’ve already set aside party labels and contacted the newly-elected Supervisor and Board offering whatever assistance I can to help them navigate the troubled financial waters ahead.

“We share a common goal: putting the past behind us and doing our best to serve all of our residents and taxpayers.”

Assessor-elect Zielinski plans to keep his web site active so residents can keep abreast of the developments that occur between now and the end of the year: www.Al-for-Assessor.com

Zielinski concluded by thanking those who helped. “I was blessed with a tireless campaign manager and an extremely insightful and helpful campaign committee. In addition, I was fortunate to gain the backing and friendship of those taxpayers who stood-up and said ‘How can I help?’ Those new friendships were an astonishing and fortuitous benefit of my campaign that I’ll always cherish.”

The fractured Republican Party in Grafton Township manged to elect its Chairman Tom Poznanski Road Commissioner and Al Zielinski Assessor, but failed to get enough votes to put three-way GOP primary winner Pam Fender in office.

Independent Jim Kearns got 67 more votes than Fender. There are absentee and early votes outstanding, so this margin could narrow, but will be unlikely to be overcome.

The food fight in Grafton Township ended with Jim Kearns sitting at the head of the table.

For Township Assessor, Independent Terra Jensen gave Republican nominee Al Zielinski a run for his money, but, with the same caveat about additional votes that will show up, the Lakewood resident beat the Restore Grafton Township candidate by 224.

Al Zielinski won the office of Grafton Township Assessor. He takes office as of January 1st.

Independent Tim Hoeft was trailing by 213 votes prior to the addition of early and absentee ballots.

Grafton Township Republican Central Committee Chairman Tom Poznanski claimed the job of Highway Commissioner.

And finally, for Grafton Township Trustee, newly-elected Supervisor Kearns obtained a working majority.

Winning were

• former Crystal Lake Mayor Bob Wagner
• incumbent Trustee Betty Zirk (the only incumbent to run for re-election)
• Dan Ziller, Jr., in his second attempt (the last one being a write-in); a member of the Restore Grafton Township slate
• Joe Holtorf, member of the Restore Grafton Township slate

Republicans won only two of the four seats up for grabs.

The group of Independent candidates grouped under label “Restore Grafton Township” invite the public to meet them at the Boulder Ridge Country Club this Thursday night from 7-9.

A press release from the Republican Party candidate for Grafton Township Assessor, Al Zielinski:

Alan Zielinski, Republican nominee for Grafton Township Assessor, announces major endorsements.

Al Zielinski has new signs with the symbol of the Republican Party.

VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD, IL (March 25, 2013) – Alan Zielinski, Republican nominee for Grafton Township Assessor, is pleased and grateful to announce two major endorsements.

Representative Michael Tryon, 66th District, Illinois House of Representatives, had these comments:

“It’s refreshing to see a seasoned businessman wanting to apply those proven skills in office thereby making life easier for my constituents.

“Alan’s three decades of valuation expertise and even deeper senior management experience will be a welcome asset in my district.

“I’m especially intrigued with Al’s proposed Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights and will give it the review and deliberation that type of innovative legislation deserves,”

Village of Lakewood President Erin Smith said,

“On April 9, we will choose a new Grafton Township assessor.

“This is a very important role because assessments are the basis for the property taxes we pay and the current system is flawed. Alan Zielinski is the only candidate with the credentials and experience to raise the bar.

“As a certified appraiser, Al is held to a higher standard than the property code requires. His ambitious goals include improving the transparency and accountability of the assessor’s office, establishing a Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights and enhancing accuracy so we can reduce and eventually eliminate the need for expensive and time-consuming appeals.

“I strongly encourage Grafton Township residents to review Al’s website at www.Al-for-Assessor.com.

“I have carefully reviewed the qualifications and experience of both candidates and am confident Alan Zielinski is the most qualified candidate for Grafton Township Assessor. He has my endorsement and my vote.”

Also endorsing Zielinski is Grafton Township Republican Party Chairman Tom Poznanski, who is also the GOP candidate for Grafton Township Assessor.

For more information, please visit the candidate’s web site at www.Al-for-Assessor.com

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Zielinski is running against Independent Terra Jensen.

It’s the post card that she is distributing to residents.

Terra Jensen’s piece in her campaign for Grafton Township Assessor.

A press release from Grafton Township Republican candidate for Assessor:

Alan Zielinski, Republican nominee for Grafton Township Assessor, clears the air.

VILLAGE OF LAKEWOOD, IL (March 21, 2013) – Alan Zielinski, Republican nominee for Grafton Township Assessor, wants to make sure his message “Grafton deserves better!” is not muffled by distractions, unfounded rumors and even outright lies.

Al Zielinski

“Press releases are usually written in the third person but this comes directly from me. The voters chose me as their Republican nominee for the general election and deserve to hear a clear message.

Taxpayers’ focus should be on critical issues like my Taxpayer Bill of Rights and not inconsequential distractions. Some peripheral attacks have been posted and it’s time to discredit them and put them to rest forever. Grafton Township is facing a life and death financial situation!” said Zielinski.

Political sign damage

“My campaign had several of our large signs damaged during the primary. Because of the frigid cold and wind, the plastic tie-wraps broke and we had to replace them with nylon rope and electrical wire.

“While it certainly could have been vandalism, my mind didn’t even go there because it’s not something I would ever do nor condone. No one in our community should stoop to such low standards.

“It’s unfortunate my opponent chose to implicate me without any basis whatsoever. The Huntley Deputy Police Chief stated for the record the wind was likely at fault. This community has had its fill of name-calling and in-fighting and needs to focus on the serious issues in front of us.

“Those serious issues and my concern for the residents of Grafton Township are why I chose to enter this race by offering my education, experience and qualifications in my bid for the assessor position.”

Reaching across the aisle

“My opponent conveyed a phone conversation we had several weeks ago about possibly joining forces. It occurred but its context and basis were solely the speedy healing of the community.

“Grafton Township is in dire financial straits. The ability to diligently work ourselves out of that financial pit will require astute financial planning and management. For that to occur, the new Trustees will require accurate and timely assessments so a prudent and realistic cash flow plan can be initiated.

“Given my 11 years of appraisal experience, 30 years of valuation experience and 40 years of general business experience which include company leadership roles, I have complete confidence in my abilities to hit the ground running. That includes timely, accurate and complete compliance with all statutory requirements of the Illinois Property Tax Code. However, I’ll need a team to achieve that.

“None of the assessor’s current staff have approached me since I won the primary. I value initiative in my teammates and, in the absence of that, decided to act proactively based on feedback I’ve received from several independent sources.

“I’ve stated several times I’m a businessman, not a politician. The suggestion to my opponent was one any good businessman would have made. Rather than battling for several months, let’s join forces and get a head start doing our part to help right Grafton’s financial situation. My opponent’s call notes even cite one of my opening phrases conveying the goal of my call: ‘Allies instead of enemies.’

“Her call notes confirm that overture was summarily declined without even a moment’s consideration. Worse, that genuinely appropriate business venture has been sadly spun into some sort of political ‘deal.’ Nothing could be farther from the truth as confirmed by my opponent’s published call notes.

“Talent acquisition/management and succession planning are mandatory in any successful organization. That’s true whether the organization is for-profit, non-profit or public service. The fact my opponent doesn’t realize that clearly indicates her inexperience as a senior manager.

“Maintaining the status quo requires only a Certified Illinois Assessment Officer designation. Achieving zero appeals by earning the trust of Grafton’s taxpayers mandates an appraiser certification.

“My opponent’s public Linkedin resume (http://www.linkedin.com/pub/terra-jensen/50/720/833) conveys she lacks the in-depth valuation and management experience required to be a trusted steward of Grafton’s $1.6 billion of assessed property value. Her resume states no managerial, P&L or balance sheet responsibility of any significance.

“My offer was a chance for her to safely develop and cultivate those skills without further jeopardizing the financial well-being of Grafton Township. The offer was also straightforward: let’s work together with the township’s best interests at heart. There was no hidden agenda. There was no selfish motivation on my part. There was no benefit to me. There was no ‘deal.’

“The only winners would have been my opponent who would’ve received her 2,500 hours over 2 years of appraisal experience under my tutelage and the taxpayers of Grafton Township who would have eventually received a seasoned certified appraiser and experienced senior management executive.”

Grafton deserves better

“The definition of ‘better’ includes several facets.

• People working together versus forming polarized camps and sniping at each other.
• Accurate and timely assessments that will allow proper financial planning.
• Leaders with real business and managerial experience at the township’s controls.
• A focus on matters of fact and consequence versus innuendo and unfounded aspersions.

“My commitment to this community remains absolute and I plan to use my decades of business skills and diverse valuation experience to help the new Trustees’ financial planning and management in every way possible.

“Complaining about lost signs, casting aspersions as to whom the ‘culprit’ might be (other than Mother Nature) and spinning an authentic, unselfish and sound business venture offer into something sinister smacks far too much of the past behavior that got Grafton Township into its current mess.

“Grafton Township has endured more than its fair share of abrasion, acrimony and internal attacks. It needs to move forward with its residents cohesively working together. Remaining at odds is an unpalatable, financially-ruinous alternative.”

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Zielinski is facing off against Independent Terra Jensen.

Marc Munaretto’s sign can be seen flapping in the wind after its two plastic straps broke.

Sign stealing is a park of the dark side of local politics.

Though despicable, it happens every election.

I’m hoping that it was just the very strong winds that were at fault for the loss of the signs referred to below.

I know that two plastic straps holding a sign to posts in my front yard broke (on separate sides at different times), as did both straps holding a Lake in the Hills Algonquin Road four-by-four foot Marc Munaretto sign to a pole holding up one for the slate of four Algonquin Township Trustees .

Terra Jensen’s sign can be seen here.  Seen, left to right, are Restore Grafton Township candidates Terra Jensen, Jim Kearns, Tim Hoeft, Joe Holtorf, Dan Zinner, Jr., and Tammy Lueth.

Here’s the email I just received from Terra Jensen that prompted this article.

“I just wanted to give you a heads up… My 4×4 signs are being stolen throughout town.

“The ones that I am aware of at this moment were located on the corner of Kreutzer and Huntley Black Top, one located on private property on Square Barn Road, and one on the corner of Kruetzer and Route 47 – there, Tim, Jim and I had 4×4′s in a row… Mine was in the middle.

“Mine was cut out and taken and Jim and Tim’s were left dangling on the one side.

“In addition – our 4×8 Restore sign located on private property on Huntley Blacktop where Ruth dead ends was taken…”

A more systematic look at the signs revealed the following:

• 4×4 located on the corner of Kreutzer and Huntley (Dundee) – Gone
• 4×4 located on Square Barn in a residential property – Gone
• 4×4 located on 47, North side of town – Gone
• 4×4 located on the corner of Kreutzer and Route 47 – This was the location where Jim, Tim and I had (3) 4×4 attached in a row. Mine sign was located in the middle. It snipped and gone, blown away and Tim found it located back in the field along the creek line
• 4×4 located on Huntley Rd and Ackman – Detached from posts and found in ditch

Sign Locations that are ok:

• 4×4 Haligus and Lakewood
• 4×4 Haligus and Foster
• 4×4 Haligus and Ackman
• 4×4 Square Barn and Route 62
• 4×4 Hemmer by High School

Tim Hoeft’s 4×4 sign located at Haligus and Foster is Gone

The large 4×8 RESTORE sign that was located on Dundee Rd (Huntley Black Top) where Ruth ends is Gone

It appears no one wants possession of the signs and is more or less going around town, snipping the zip ties to let the signs blow away…

Al Zielinski

A statement from the newly-nominated Republican candidate for Grafton Township Assessor:

“Dear Grafton Voters:

“Thank you for your support in the primary election as we achieved the first step of timely and accurate assessments.

“Zero appeals and the Taxpayer Bill of Rights are one step closer to reality.

“I am deeply grateful to the voters, my tireless campaign staff and volunteers as well as all the property owners who shared with me their vision for a better, more fair, Grafton Township.

“As we begin the campaign for the April 9th general election, my message and promises remains the same:

• transparency
• core values
• education, experience, ethics and empathy

“We’re a big step closer to my promise and the reality of “Everyone Pays No More Than Their Fair Share!”

“I ask for your continued input and support.

Sincerely,
Alan Zielinski
Certified Illinois Assessment Office

Grafton Township Assessor candidate Al Zielinski, running against incumbent Bill Ottley, has sent another campaign mailing. You wee it below.

And, if you are an Algonquin, Grafton or Nunda Township candidate and want others to see your mailings, email them to me. The email address is on the left hand side of the screen.

Alan Zielinski for Grafton Township Assessor

Sincerely,

Please make your voice heard on 2/26 by voting for me.

Alan Zielinski