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Buffalo Grove, IL. Tues. Mar. 24, 2009
Vernon Township Democratic Slate Vows Salary Freeze
Vernon Township’s elected officials voted salary hikes of up to 24% beginning next term, but the Vernon Democrats for Change slate has vowed that they will not accept these pay hikes if elected to office. “Last November, deep in the worst recession in 75 years, some of the highest paid township officials in Lake County voted themselves huge pay hikes”, said Sam Flint, candidate for Vernon Township Supervisor in the April 7th election. “These pay raises are unconscionable during a time when our neighbors fear losing their jobs or having their homes foreclosed,” Flint stated.
Flint went on to say that, “According to a recent township salary study by the Moraine Township assessor, Peter Koukos, Vernon Township’s Assessor, Highway Commissioner, and Clerk are the best paid among the 18 townships in Lake County, and the Supervisor is second best paid. To heap more on top of these generous salary levels during this time of taxpayer stress is something no one on our slate can do in good conscience. Our entire slate has agreed that if we’re elected, we will freeze the current quite generous salaries at their 2008 levels indefinitely.”
The salary hikes under question include an $18,334 raise for the township Highway Commissioner, a $15,220 raise for Township supervisor, and a $17,207 raise for the township Tax Assessor, the only tax assessor in the county already making more than $100,000.
“It took a written Freedom of Information request to get a copy of Township meeting minutes where these lavish pay hikes were enacted,” said Peter Hopkins, candidate for Township Assessor. “I wonder what else these so-called ‘leaders’ are hiding?”
The slate of reformers promises to bring transparency and accountability to Township government if they win the upcoming April 7th election. “These guys are flying under the radar. Few people know what they do, and how many other sweetheart deals are hidden from public view,” said Flint, who promised far greater transparency should the slate get elected.
Flint went on to state, “We’ll review each and every township program to determine its value to the community, its costs, and it management. The good ones, we’ll keep. The waste and fat will be eliminated. These pay raises are emblematic of what has simply gone on for too long.”
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Buffalo Grove, IL. Sun. Mar. 22, 2009
HARTSTEIN ENDORSES DEMOCRATS FOR CHANGE SLATE IN VERNON TOWNSHIP
Elliott Hartstein, who serves as Mayor of Buffalo Grove, today announced his strong support for the entire Democrats for Change Slate of candidates for Vernon Township. Hartstein stated
“As someone who appreciates the significance of having top notch people in all of the taxing bodies that serve our area, I feel compelled as a citizen of Vernon Township to lend my support and unqualified strong endorsement to the entire Vernon Democrats for Change slate of candidates for Vernon Township.” He went on to point out that based on extended conversations on multiple occasions with the individuals on the Slate, he was. “seriously impressed with the caliber, intelligence, background and experience of each and every candidate on the slate ranging from Supervisor candidate Sam Flint to Assessor candidate Peter Hopkins,Highway Commissioner candidate Mike Lofstrum,Clerk candidate Glenn Stier and Trustee candidates Phil Hirsh,Marla Sundth,Cassie Horvath and Akrom Hossain. Hartstein noted that Supervisor Candidate Flint is a PhD University of Chicago Professor of Public Management who previously served in State government as a procurement officer who reduced taxpayers expenditures by millions of dollars in that capacity and that Assessor Candidate Hopkins is a certified real estate appraiser with over 23 years of appraisal experience, and that all of the slate candidates have impressive professional experience that would enhance our Township governance. Hartstein points out that “ Though Vernon Township is not overly visible to many residents,it is a taxing body that assesses taxes that appear on all of our property tax bills for Township services including such services as road maintenance,tax assessments and general assistance . He went on to say “That dictates that we have people in office like the Vernon Democrats for Change who are committed to fiscal responsibility, accountability and transparency. He said that one example of the responsiveness of the slate to these challenging economic times is their commitment to roll back recently adopted salary increases to 2008 levels. Hartstein urges all citizens “to make a concerted effort to come out to vote for this tremendous team to serve our Township” He pointed out that the slate candidates are the top names on the ballot for each Vernon Township office and that you can learn more about the entire slate on their web page at vernondemocratsforchange.com. He urges voters to in lend support to the slate and to encourage their friends and neighbors to vote for the entire Democrats for Change slate.
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For further information Contact
Elliott Hartstein
Cell 847 830 6474
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Buffalo Grove, IL. Fri. Mar. 20, 2009
Vernon Township Democratic Slate Promises Tax Relief
The Vernon Democrats for Change slate has announced that it is committed to tax relief for the township’s portion of the tax bill beginning with the 2009 tax year. The one-time tax break will be funded by tapping into township surpluses that have grown to a level more than four times greater than the largest amount recommended for township governments by Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes.
“The very first initiative we will undertake after our election is an audit of the township’s finances, and if reserves are as large as we understand them to be, we will implement some form of tax relief for the township portion of the property tax bill. The amount could be as much as a year,” declared Sam Flint, candidate for Township Supervisor. “We may need to use a credit, rebate, or some other mechanism, but we’ll see to it that residents and small business owners will get some form of tax relief our first year in office,” Flint said.
The Vernon Democrats for Change slate estimates that Vernon Township is holding millions of dollars in unnecessary budget surpluses. Township officials will not provide an estimate other than “more than 18 months,” when directly asked how long current reserves could fund township operating expenses. “From the data we could pry loose, we project that township surpluses could be well over two years, far beyond the 3 to 6 month level recommended by public management experts,” said Flint who is an Assistant Professor of Public Affairs at Indiana University Northwest in Gary.
The Democrats acknowledge that the township portion of the property tax bill is small fraction of the total property tax bill. Nonetheless, as Peter Hopkins, candidate for Township Assessor stated, “Holding on to unnecessary reserves is the worst thing our township can do given the economic stress that Vernon Township residents are under these days.” Hopkins went on to say, “A fiscally responsible government does not maintain oversized surpluses any time, let alone during a harsh recession.”
“We recognize that declining real estate values will slow property tax revenue in the next few years. However, so much surplus cash has piled up that we can afford a one-time tax cut and still have sufficient reserves remaining to strengthen safety net programs that the township has allowed to languish, like the chronically empty shelves in the food pantry and efforts to enroll children with no health insurance in the state-funded Kid Care program,” stated Flint.
“Our community needs help today. Maintaining overflowing government coffers during these tough economic times is public sector mismanagement,” Flint said.
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Lincolnshire, IL. Tues. Jan. 13, 2009
Vernon Dems Announce Slate to Challenge Incumbents
At their first ever township caucus, the Vernon Township Democrats enthusiastically endorsed a full slate of candidates for all Township offices Tuesday night in Lincolnshire. For the first time in many years, the Vernon Democrats are prepared to challenge the incumbents, some of whom have been in the same position for 30 years.
"It's time to replace the stale, entrenched system with a more responsive township government that is run efficiently, effectively, and transparently,” said Sam Flint, Democratic nominee for township Supervisor.
Flint, a professor of public administration and long-time Buffalo Grove resident went on to say, “”Most people forget about the important role that townships can play in improving the lives of seniors, youth, and those struggling with the economic downturn. We need 21st century township government, to help solve real problems, manage its finances responsibly, and act with integrity and openness.”
Sounding a similar tone, Peter Hopkins of Riverwoods and candidate for Township Assessor stated, “We believe that the township government can work for all its citizens and with everyone willing to pitch-in together, we can deal successfully with this difficult economy”.
Priorities identified by the Democratic slate for the April 7th election include transportation and job issues, health services, expanding senior and youth activities, government modernization and transparency, and a complete fiscal review. The Democrats stressed holding the line on property tax hikes and containing government costs through improved township government management.
Nominated for office were:
Township Supervisor, Sam Flint;
Township Assessor, Peter Hopkins, MAI;
Township Clerk, Glenn Stier;
Township Highway Commissioner, Michael Lofstrom,
Trustees Phil Hirsh, Cassandra Horvath, Akrom Hossain, and Marla Sundh.
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