The following letter to the Northwest Herald by William Matteson is published with his permission:
County hires were unfair
Oliver Serafini’s McHenry County employee identification card showing he works for the Department of Transportation as well as for the County Board Chairman.
It never crossed my mind that Jack Franks intended to corrupt McHenry County government when he stated during his campaign,
“I will fundamentally change the structure of government.”
Jack was sworn in in early December and immediately and purposely canceled all committee meetings for December 2016.
Board members and McHenry County were at a virtual standstill; important work could not get done.
In early January and without board approval, Jack improperly hired two former campaign workers/Illinois Democrat operatives to serve him personally.
These patronage hires were granted high-paying government jobs including health care and pension benefits that will cost taxpayers more than $130,000 annually.
Bridgett Geenen’s McHenry County employee identification card.
In addition to the chairman not having powers granted by the Illinois Constitution to hire employees, the job openings were never posted to the public. Interviews were not conducted.
Salary policies were not followed; Jack’s cronies earn far more than other McHenry County employees in similar positions.
While campaigning, Franks also said, “Everyone will be held accountable, including myself.”
County Board members need to end Franks’ perverted use of government for personal gain.
Hold Jack Franks accountable for his actions.
Franks’ two patronage workers must be dismissed from their ill-considered positions.
If county policies and procedures are not kept in check now, corruption will flood McHenry County like it has Springfield and Chicago.
Cal, your constant posting of the picture ID badges of these 2 people is an insult to all of us.
How would you like to have your picture posted whenever some blogger felt like it?
What about their right to privacy?
Put up once or maybe twice, but every time you put up one of your rants about this — no.
I wish there was a like button on this blog.
His actions since taking office have been anything but transparent or honest and upfront.
He is one of the most crooked politicians I have ever seen.
Anyone that can’t see that must be blind or ignorant.
He is obviously bullying the county board and administration to do his bidding and they’re all buying into it.
Do none of them have the guts or brains to just say no?
Isn’t that what we all tell our kids to do – just say no to drugs and sex – yet we let franks molest us all with his political shenanigans and bull crap.
What is wrong with these board members?
Are they all spineless?
We could make another move out of this.
Dumb and Dumber.
Question is who’s who?
The board for letting him get away with this or us for electing them?
Franks is obviously the smarter one since he’s getting away with it.
A new twist in this nonsense, pointless, but highly entertaining pseudo story: Jack Franks is a board molester. 2018, are you here yet? Tic tock, tic tock…
Angel get a life. Your tic tocs are getting really old and you sound like an idiot.
Thank you! That was classy. I continue my journey on becoming a true compassionate, fiscal conservative McHenry county citizen. This sunshine blog and my compassionate conservative brothers and sisters are my best school. Long life to our sunshine blogger and his pointless stories! Tic tock, tic tock…
@Sue
Not everyone who’s been in politics can be bullied.
Pay close attention to the coming primary.
I requested only photos.
This is what the county provided.
Cal, you are ignoring my point.
It is the posting of the photos again and again that is objectionable.
It is what you perceive to be wrongs done by Franks that you keep posting about and yet it is the photos of the employees you keep putting up.
KBS, “What difference at this point does it make?”
You can GO to a county board meeting and see them in person acting the fools for Franks.
Kathleen? They are crooks and they know they are.
Please keep posting the pictures Cal!!
The two pictures, along with the “round mound” represent pictorially the injustice being perpetrated upon the over taxed property owners and all residents in the County!
If the two ‘patronage hires’ do not like the exposure, they are free to find employment elsewhere.
Certainly they can earn a higher salary elsewhere!
Franks is a true democrat.
Talks like Clinton and makes decisions like madigan.
None are any good for the taxpayer.
In true Democrat style.