Did Supervisor Moore use public funds for this???

Dear Fellow Grafton Township Electors,

The following letter was distributed by Grafton Township Supervisor, Linda Moore to households throughout the township. This letter is politically biased in nature and serves to support the agenda of the group of electors who requested the 2012 Special Annual Meeting to be held April 10. 

It is illegal to use public funds and government resources to create and distribute documents for political purposes. This could be considered electioneering and a violation of the Illinois Election Code.   

This letter is signed by none other than Linda Moore. 

Since a group of electors requested the special meeting, it is their responsibility to produce and distribute this correspondence using only private funds.  Linda Moore should have separated herself from acting on behalf of those electors. 

Linda Moore should have little to no responsibility in this matter as the request for the special meeting should be filed with the township clerk as described under Illinois Statute, Article 30-10 (a): Notice of the time and place of holding the annual and any special township meetings shall be given to the township clerk (or, in the clerks absence, the supervisor, assessor, or collector) by posting written or printed notices in 3 of the most public places in the township at least 10 days before the meeting and, if there is an English language newspaper published in the township, by at least one publication in that newspaper before the meeting. The notice shall set forth the agenda for the meeting.

 

Public funds are not used for any materials distributed by 

Citizens for a Better Grafton Township.

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Dear Grafton Township Residents,

This newsletter is being sent to you to inform you of some important upcoming township events, primarily, the Annual Town Meeting of the Electors (voters). Township government is unique in that you have the ability to vote annually on many things including the buying and selling of township property and any leases of this property. These decisions will have a direct effect how township tax dollars are spent and how much is spent on certain items. We have been preparing for this meeting by reserving a gymnasium at the local school district, arranging for a sound system, posting yard signs around the township, preparing this newsletter, and many other details.

Here is a summary of the issues we you will be asked to take action on at the Special Town Meeting and the regular Annual Town Meeting on April 10.

HISTORY:
 

The township has owned the property on Vine Street in Huntley for as long as anyone can remember. In 2009 Highway Commissioner Freund borrowed $700,000 to buy the township property. We are paying for the same property twice. As a result of this loan approximately $129,000 of taxpayer money has been paid to the bank for interest and fees.  

He failed to obtain the required permission from the electors to purchase the township property.  He is asking for rent to be paid for office space on a lease that was never approved by the electors. 

At the 2010 Annual Grafton Town Meeting, exercising your specific authority to approve the sale or lease of property, you directed the town board and highway commissioner to undo this sale made without your prior approval. You also approved a 20-year lease to the road district for the garage. 

As electors, you have authority over all leases and real estate. 

To date, your directions have not been followed.

VOTING OPTIONS

As a result, electors of the township have called for a Special Grafton Township Meeting for 6 PM on April 10, 2012 to address and vote for or against the following items:

 *  Return the property deed to the township by April 20, 2012.

 *  In place of paying rent for the next 20 years, the road district will pay off the remaining balance of the loan ($305,000 plus any interest or fees) to the bank in full by April 20, 2012 using the $300,000 reserve held for the last 12 months in a road district money market and regular road district funds for the balance. Due to a 4.9% increase in the road district’s levy, they will have an additional approximate $24,000 in property taxes.

*  Cancel any agreements with the road district executed outside of the town board’s authority including any leases or rent payments in the “Intergovernmental Agreement” dated February 10, 2011.

*  Your approval is needed to hire a realtor to sell the township property at 9260 Haligus Road for a fee of not more than 6%.

  Please attend the Special Town Meeting at 6 PM on April 10, 2012 at Heineman Middle School, 725 Academic Drive, Algonquin, IL 60102. (Just off Square Barn Road)

Plan to stay for both meetings.

Call 1-847-669-3328 with any questions.

Thank you. 

Linda Moore
Grafton Township Supervisor