This organization does great things in our community. it has never received goverment money, it runs off grants , donations from private citizens and business partners. Many of our citizens just above the poverty line would have been destroyed without them, many kids would have gone hungry, lack proper clothing and more without them. The media push is due to us needing more support from business to address the growing numbers of those in need. We must check ourselves before we give a great organization, great helpers and a great cause a black eye! If someone really wants to know about this org and others that support it ie( Bolingbrook exchange Club) please feel free to call me directly.
Hey Joe! Take a chill pill. Try reading the story first. Maybe you should take your own advice and "check yourself" before giving a great website like The Number Crunchers a black eye.
Maybe Rhonda deserves the black eye, since Pat Shanks hasn't been associated with the CSC for at least 30 years, Meredith Bromfield hasn't lived in town for at least 3 years, the amount of money given to CSC is greatly exaggerated by about 30%. What kind of fact checking is she doing?
The article merely shows the relationship our elected officials have with these "pet" charities. Relationships that are inappropriate if our tax dollars are being funnelled to these organizations.
In regards to the money given to CSC, the numbers were pulled directly from the Treasurers Report. So if anyone's exaggerating the facts, it's either you or the governmental entity.
We don't create figures. We only report what's provided by the government.
Therefore, the only one that deserves a black-eye in this particular case is YOU.
Also, why don't you show what percentage of each of these organizations total budget the taxing bodies donations amount to. Wouldn't be nearly as provocative, would it?
Are you saying it's ok for elected officials to donate hundreds of thousands (in tax dollars) to "pet" charities as long as the total amount donated represents a small percentage of the budget?
$658,000 is a lot of money, no matter the size of the budgets.
And Yes, $658,000 is a very provocative number because most of us can work a lifetime and never earn anything close to this provactive number.
Taxpayers can't hold their elected officials accountable without transparency. The Number Crunchers has merely brought transparency to the issue of misappropriation of taxpayer funds. At a time when the Village laid off public safety workers, it is not only wrong - but obscene - that the Village funneled $658k to nonprofits. Claiming that the percentage donated to the nonprofits isn't "nearly as provocative" is an empty justification for action that is simply wrong.
How about I donate MY MONEY to the charity of my choice? What if I prefer my money to go to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or save the pink poka-dotted elephants? The point is my taxes should go to provide the services (police, fire, streets)the village government should be providing. My tax money shouldn't be used to make them look good supporting their favorite charity, of which they or their buddies sit on.
Village officials and their affiliation with any of these charities is just aggravating circumstances. If that does not bother you then just focus on the spending of tax money on items that tax money should not be spent on. I pay taxes with the expectation I will be provided the basic services these government entities should provide. If there is so much revenue left over that it can be donated then I say we are paying too much in taxes. I will and do decide where I want my money donated to. I do not need these government officials doing it for me. Thank you to Rhonda for exposing how money is being spent, whether it is being spent right or wrong.
wow..........for the life of me I cannot figure out WHY websites such as this one amongst others, never have ANYTHING good to say about Bolingbrook. Why don't you just move out of town if you are so unhappy with the decisions made by the local officials? You are paying taxes regardless; each one of these "pet charities" are awesome organizations and service our community. Are you not aware that the unemployed have been called back to work? Are you not proud that we have an organization such as the "Power Connection" to help aid our residents in their time of need? CSC is another GREAT organization that aids our community........what the hell is wrong with you people? If you are so judgemental and unhappy, then just move to a place that will meet YOUR standards; then perhaps you can post positive comments, seriously........I LOVE BOLINGBROOK! I watched it grow and I am proud to be a part of this community. I cannot say enough good things about our town........just sayin...
It's one thing for Rhonda to point out how taxes are being spent, but it's totally unnecessary to turn every post into a personal attack. The idea that there is something wrong with a taxing body paying $65 to Power Connection for tickets to a fundraiser is totally ridiculous. I guess she believes teens, unemployed and people facing foreclosure should not be able to get help, they should just be tossed aside.
I guess transparency is not a good thing to some people who live in their own little bubble. Alternative views and criticism are what progress is made of. Nothing personal as you say.
Keep reporting the facts, Rhonda. If readers want the "soft" stories, let them go to the BB Patch, Bugle and Reporter. That's Claar's official news source.
It's a great thing to donate to charities. It's also a great thing to buy your mother a mother's day present. But even though both of these are great things to do neither one of them should be done with taxpayer dollars.
If our politicians want to support a local charity by making a donation or buying tickets to some function they're having that's great. Just use your own damn money to do it.
Don't spend my tax money supporting your pet charities and then tell me we have to cut firefighters and police officers from protecting my home because you ran out of tax money.
If the non profits getting all these tax dollars are so "awesome" why can't they exist without the tax dollar support? These organizations should be existing on private and or business support. To "donate" our tax dollars to non profits which have boards run by family, friends and politically connected people who are part of the local governmental power structure is unethical and should be illegal.
I would still like the person who said the unemployed have returned to work to tell me if all 70 plus laid off have all been brought back. I did not hear that one.
To the anonymous telling Rhonda to move if she don't like it.
You watched it grow! I moved out here as a small child, and this Village grew around us and gobbled us up. Developers burned farms, builders built new sub divisions, Village managers get fired(Bill Palmer) Year after year another scum bag politician is born. They start out small like Claar and then grow into someone too big for his britches.Some went to jail(Bailey). Town Attorney Maas dumps Claar for being dishonest(Yeh). Claar hires Snydley Whiplash. If Claar is such a good politician then why didn't he move on.Perhaps he's making too much money off us taxpayers and land owners. What I can't believe is the following he gets. They must be all shiesters and crooks themselves to display that fricken "I support Claar" bumper stickers. Claar is a really good bullsh-ter, "just bullsh-it and they will believe" I've lived here so long it's worth it to stay now, I love seeing that first party squirm and post dirty letters to honest people. Some day they will be ousted, and I truly will have a"BELLY LAFF"
Thanks to the Naperville Police..Roger was stopped for a DUI over 10 yrs ago..or he would probably in congress instead of Judy Biggert. He was headed home from a meeting which the purpose was to pick a Republican to succeed Harris Fawell in congress. Too bad they couldn't convict him.
Please go a little further when posting by using a name in lieu of "anonymous"...I don't mean your real name, but one that fits you. I find it difficult to answer or comment to "anonymous". It makes it hard to follow.PLEASE TRY IT!
To the "anonymous" that stated these orgs are awesome but should stand alone:
Very well said, it is unethical & should be illegal. I read somewhere( I think not a local paper)..maybe a blog; these trustees and the politically connected are the ones running them as Presidents/Ceo's. Is this really true? These trustees make about $18 grand a year, then who knows how much to be on the Hospital Board, School Board along with the "pet" non for profits listed in this article by Number Crunchers. Is it true this is how they make their slaries; 18k here, 10k there, and so on? Then when you do the math or so to speak for the blog's sake "Crunch The Numbers" these individuals end up making an extra $ 100 grand "on the side" for showing up a few times a year."I'd love to see their tax returns..all expenses and donations. Certainly they all would be citizens of the year if this was all done on "gratis"
To the Napervile Police Blogger: Yes I remember this well. He didn't blow...in my own opinion he still does!(Blow that is). Think about this one too: This is why he changed the name of Naperville Road ..to Weber Road. He removed everything that was "Naperville" out of Bolingbrook because he could.
He still drinks around this village. As a Liq.Commish you'd think he would be more refined/pasturized. I've been in Mrs. T's (my opinion a dive) where he showed up late and made the ownwers stay open for his sake because Roger didn't want to go home yet to the Mrs.. The last Belly Laff out loud on him was when he had to use the facility and discovered that it was discusting...because it's a dive.He threatened they had better change/clean up their act or he'd pull their Liq. License because he can! I wonder how he felt walking in our shoes. No toilet paper, paper towels,drunks pissing all over the toilets and the floors...classy place. I don't mean to pick on this place but Does it actually need to be opened at 8 am!(on Sundays Too?) The Liq. Commish allows this you know.
One last comment before I celebrate Mothers Day: I don't mean to dominate this Blog,and my comment is off subject, unfortunately there is alot to say about this Village and it's politics. I love this Village, I grew up here, my friends are here we have 1st,2nd, & 3rd generations here living and working. I owe my VV School District for my livlihood. There is much to be done here. Perhaps to make this really a place to grow, and really be the 1st "Best Place" to live in America to the true sense of the meaning.
I am shocked, dismayed, confused on the way these politics are played here, and that our politicians get away with it. Since all of these comments come out in blogs and good info. from Number Crunchers, and personal stories,and even stuff happening right before our eyes I have to ask these questions; Are we stupid to keep allowing this crap to continue? Why is it Bolingbrook that you'd rather sit on your a--es on your computer or infront of your home theater instead of getting involved with this Village. By not voting these people out when the term is over is a start. But you' all stay home and complain under the "Anonymous" symbols. I call it "ANY MOUSE" Why is it our citzens keep allowing this to happen over and over. The following comment may be a little harsh but a kick in the groin may be what we all need. All the women voters, would you allow yourself to keep being raped for umteen years rather than stopping it. THEN VOTE on these election dates! All you men or so call yourselfs find it more important to have your toys, the sports channels, the fish in the sea web sites, rather than going to a village meeting or your political party's monthly meetings, or a DuPage Township Mtng or even VOTING? The voting process itself takes about 5 minutes. I guess that is too much time to give up. Perhaps if you all did and passed the word then maybe good people like Rhonda and others would have won the election in place of another round of "As the Village Turns" for another 2-4 years.
The First Party was running scarred this time folks. Do you realize they had WILL COUNTY BOARD EXCUTIVES POUNDING THE STREETS THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION! In all my years I have never seen this, and ya know what people you let your fellow Villagers down,including yourself and the 4th generations too. You as taxpayers had the best chance in 10 fricken years to change the way our local goverment/politics are played.You showed the First Party just how "stupid" we were, are continue to be. THANKS FOR LETTING THEM WIN.
Belly Laff, This is a ton of misinformation on this blog. The people serving on the boards of all these so called leech non-prifits serve as VOLUNTEERs, with no compensation whatsoever. Rhonda knows this since she has read their Federal and State 990's (tax returns) which by law must show the compensation to Board members. In spite of that she continually perpetuates the myth they're getting rich on tax dollars. Now she's starting on Power Connection because they are getting publicity to help them keep their doors open without any tax money. Apparently you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
Why don't you ask Pat Claar et al to show their tax returns. That would be the only way to truly verify it.
Tax payers have a right to demand copies of government documents via FOIA request. Unfortunately, we do NOT have the same access to the non-profits, and the Form990s are just summaries.
The "power brokers" understand this all too well.
Frankly, I agree with Rhonda, government should not be giving any money to non-profits. That's not their job.
Why not visit the Illinois ATG website to view the actual "non-profit" Form990.
Lets use one of the 5 non-profits profiled in Rhonda's article, the CSC.
COMMUNITY SERVICE COUNCIL OF NORTHERN WILL COUNTY (CSC) - Reg.# 01022481 Copy/paste:http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/financialDoc.jsp
1. Page 9 shows ROBERT KALNICKY receiving $26k in compensation as Executive Director. Bob Kalnicky ALSO SERVES AS VP OF THE FOUNTAINDALE LIBRARY BOARD. Right?
2. Page 12, line 5 is showing $219k in COMPENSATION TO CURRENT OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES & KEY EMPLOYEES. Where's the breakdown? Which "current officers" got a piece of the $219k.
WELL, WELL, THE FORM990 IS SHOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS IN BOLINGBROOK RECEIVING COMPENSATION FROM A "PET" NON-PROFIT.
The central point of the argument is whether or not it is ethical for elected officials to be serving on "pet" boards, while funnelling hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars to those very same organizations.
Re: Robert Kalnk, which perk came first? The $26k so called full time job, or the library board job that includes luxury trips to San Diego and Reno once a year?
We all see the money donated to such organizations as H2O. Does anyone think it is possible village money was combined to provide other "items" that would appear to be for the village. For example, lets say maybe the new phone system bought from Bill Mayer? Could extras have been purchased and end up elsewhere?
Do you think something like that could actually happen? What about the Chamber of commerce, they too are in the "community center", perhaps a free phone system comes with the free rent.
How much of this kind of crap goes on? Remember the Public works scandal? 100's of thousands of dollars. Do you really believe Hizzoner didn't know about it?
He either knew about it or is one of the dumbest politicians on the face of the earth.
Just wondering. Is it me or does it seem the scandles are not committed by just anybody. It is seems it is always the political hires! Public works people filling their freezers with steaks bought with village credit cards! How could they not know?
Library board members can go to out of state conferences of the American Library Association twice a year. This year they went San Diego in January and will go to New Orleans in June for at least five days. This is perk of the board members for over thirty years. Other local library boards do not send trustees to such meetings since the cost would be considered wasteful.
Since when is it ethical to donate "taxpayer" monies to non-profits and charities, esp. when the people doing the donating are sitting on the Boards of the Donator and the Charities?
The way I was told it works is - the organization that gets the donation from the Board member - donates all or part of it back as a campaign contribution. Hard to prove, but logical.
This organization does great things in our community. it has never received goverment
ReplyDeletemoney, it runs off grants , donations
from private citizens and business partners.
Many of our citizens just above the poverty line
would have been destroyed without them, many kids
would have gone hungry, lack proper clothing and
more without them. The media push is due to us
needing more support from business to address the growing numbers of those in need. We must check ourselves before we give a great organization, great helpers and a great cause a black eye! If someone really wants to know about this org and others that support it ie( Bolingbrook exchange Club) please feel free to call me directly.
630-730-4613
Joe: As clearly stated in the article, we fully support the organization as long as no tax dollars are used to fund the organization.
ReplyDeleteIt's that simple.
Rhonda Reed-Slaughter
Joe,
ReplyDeleteSpoken from a man that gets paid tax dollars as well...
Rhonda, he is just protecting his own money. Don't mind him...
Hey Joe! Take a chill pill. Try reading the story first. Maybe you should take your own advice and "check yourself" before giving a great website like The Number Crunchers a black eye.
ReplyDeleteYou owe Rhonda an apology.
Maybe Rhonda deserves the black eye, since Pat Shanks hasn't been associated with the CSC for at least 30 years, Meredith Bromfield hasn't lived in town for at least 3 years, the amount of money given to CSC is greatly exaggerated by about 30%. What kind of fact checking is she doing?
ReplyDeleteThe article merely shows the relationship our elected officials have with these "pet" charities. Relationships that are inappropriate if our tax dollars are being funnelled to these organizations.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to the money given to CSC, the numbers were pulled directly from the Treasurers Report. So if anyone's exaggerating the facts, it's either you or the governmental entity.
We don't create figures. We only report what's provided by the government.
Therefore, the only one that deserves a black-eye in this particular case is YOU.
Rhonda Reed-Slaughter
Also, why don't you show what percentage of each of these organizations total budget the taxing bodies donations amount to. Wouldn't be nearly as provocative, would it?
ReplyDeleteReally?
ReplyDeleteAre you saying it's ok for elected officials to donate hundreds of thousands (in tax dollars) to "pet" charities as long as the total amount donated represents a small percentage of the budget?
$658,000 is a lot of money, no matter the size of the budgets.
And Yes, $658,000 is a very provocative number because most of us can work a lifetime and never earn anything close to this provactive number.
Thanks for your comments.
Rhonda Reed-Slaughter
Taxpayers can't hold their elected officials accountable without transparency. The Number Crunchers has merely brought transparency to the issue of misappropriation of taxpayer funds. At a time when the Village laid off public safety workers, it is not only wrong - but obscene - that the Village funneled $658k to nonprofits. Claiming that the percentage donated to the nonprofits isn't "nearly as provocative" is an empty justification for action that is simply wrong.
ReplyDeleteHow about I donate MY MONEY to the charity of my choice? What if I prefer my money to go to the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or save the pink poka-dotted elephants? The point is my taxes should go to provide the services (police, fire, streets)the village government should be providing. My tax money shouldn't be used to make them look good supporting their favorite charity, of which they or their buddies sit on.
ReplyDeleteVillage officials and their affiliation with any of these charities is just aggravating circumstances. If that does not bother you then just focus on the spending of tax money on items that tax money should not be spent on. I pay taxes with the expectation I will be provided the basic services these government entities should provide. If there is so much revenue left over that it can be donated then I say we are paying too much in taxes. I will and do decide where I want my money donated to. I do not need these government officials doing it for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you to Rhonda for exposing how money is being spent, whether it is being spent right or wrong.
wow..........for the life of me I cannot figure out WHY websites such as this one amongst others, never have ANYTHING good to say about Bolingbrook. Why don't you just move out of town if you are so unhappy with the decisions made by the local officials? You are paying taxes regardless; each one of these "pet charities" are awesome organizations and service our community. Are you not aware that the unemployed have been called back to work? Are you not proud that we have an organization such as the "Power Connection" to help aid our residents in their time of need? CSC is another GREAT organization that aids our community........what the hell is wrong with you people? If you are so judgemental and unhappy, then just move to a place that will meet YOUR standards; then perhaps you can post positive comments, seriously........I LOVE BOLINGBROOK! I watched it grow and I am proud to be a part of this community. I cannot say enough good things about our town........just sayin...
ReplyDeleteIt's one thing for Rhonda to point out how taxes are being spent, but it's totally unnecessary to turn every post into a personal attack. The idea that there is something wrong with a taxing body paying $65 to Power Connection for tickets to a fundraiser is totally ridiculous. I guess she believes teens, unemployed and people facing foreclosure should not be able to get help, they should just be tossed aside.
ReplyDeleteSo you say the unemployed people have been returned? Of the 70+ how many have returned?
ReplyDeleteI guess transparency is not a good thing to some people who live in their own little bubble. Alternative views and criticism are what progress is made of. Nothing personal as you say.
ReplyDeleteMany of the volunteer reporters, contributors and visitors of The Number Crunchers of Bolingbrook live in Bolingbrook and plan on staying put.
ReplyDeleteWe have a right to express our concerns, criticize our leaders, and expect more from the community.
We are not going anywhere, and will continue to report the truth. Whether you like it or not.
If you don't like it, why don't you move!
Keep reporting the facts, Rhonda. If readers want the "soft" stories, let them go to the BB Patch, Bugle and Reporter. That's Claar's official news source.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great thing to donate to charities. It's also a great thing to buy your mother a mother's day present. But even though both of these are great things to do neither one of them should be done with taxpayer dollars.
ReplyDeleteIf our politicians want to support a local charity by making a donation or buying tickets to some function they're having that's great. Just use your own damn money to do it.
Don't spend my tax money supporting your pet charities and then tell me we have to cut firefighters and police officers from protecting my home because you ran out of tax money.
If the non profits getting all these tax dollars are so "awesome" why can't they exist without the tax dollar support? These organizations should be existing on private and or business support. To "donate" our tax dollars to non profits which have boards run by family, friends and politically connected people who are part of the local governmental power structure is unethical and should be illegal.
ReplyDeleteI would still like the person who said the unemployed have returned to work to tell me if all 70 plus laid off have all been brought back. I did not hear that one.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe the laid off village employees are enjoying the charities...
ReplyDeleteTo the anonymous telling Rhonda to move if she don't like it.
ReplyDeleteYou watched it grow! I moved out here as a small child, and this Village grew around us and gobbled us up. Developers burned farms, builders built new sub divisions, Village managers get fired(Bill Palmer) Year after year another scum bag politician is born. They start out small like Claar and then grow into someone too big for his britches.Some went to jail(Bailey). Town Attorney Maas dumps Claar for being dishonest(Yeh). Claar hires Snydley Whiplash. If Claar is such a good politician then why didn't he move on.Perhaps he's making too much money off us taxpayers and land owners. What I can't believe is the following he gets. They must be all shiesters and crooks themselves to display that fricken "I support Claar" bumper stickers. Claar is a really good bullsh-ter, "just bullsh-it and they will believe" I've lived here so long it's worth it to stay now, I love seeing that first party squirm and post dirty letters to honest people. Some day they will be ousted, and I truly will have a"BELLY LAFF"
AMEN to that!
ReplyDeleteThanks to the Naperville Police..Roger was stopped for a DUI over 10 yrs ago..or he would probably in congress instead of Judy Biggert. He was headed home from a meeting which the purpose was to pick a Republican to succeed Harris Fawell in congress. Too bad they couldn't convict him.
ReplyDeleteA note to all bloggers on this site!
ReplyDeletePlease go a little further when posting by using a name in lieu of "anonymous"...I don't mean your real name, but one that fits you. I find it difficult to answer or comment to "anonymous". It makes it hard to follow.PLEASE TRY IT!
To the "anonymous" that stated these orgs are awesome but should stand alone:
ReplyDeleteVery well said, it is unethical & should be illegal. I read somewhere( I think not a local paper)..maybe a blog; these trustees and the politically connected are the ones running them as Presidents/Ceo's. Is this really true? These trustees make about $18 grand a year, then who knows how much to be on the Hospital Board, School Board along with the "pet" non for profits listed in this article by Number Crunchers. Is it true this is how they make their slaries; 18k here, 10k there, and so on? Then when you do the math or so to speak for the blog's sake "Crunch The Numbers" these individuals end up making an extra $ 100 grand "on the side" for showing up a few times a year."I'd love to see their tax returns..all expenses and donations. Certainly they all would be citizens of the year if this was all done on "gratis"
To the Napervile Police Blogger: Yes I remember this well. He didn't blow...in my own opinion he still does!(Blow that is). Think about this one too: This is why he changed the name of Naperville Road ..to Weber Road. He removed everything that was "Naperville" out of Bolingbrook because he could.
ReplyDeleteHe still drinks around this village. As a Liq.Commish you'd think he would be more refined/pasturized. I've been in Mrs. T's (my opinion a dive) where he showed up late and made the ownwers stay open for his sake because Roger didn't want to go home yet to the Mrs.. The last Belly Laff out loud on him was when he had to use the facility and discovered that it was discusting...because it's a dive.He threatened they had better change/clean up their act or he'd pull their Liq. License because he can! I wonder how he felt walking in our shoes. No toilet paper, paper towels,drunks pissing all over the toilets and the floors...classy place. I don't mean to pick on this place but Does it actually need to be opened at 8 am!(on Sundays Too?) The Liq. Commish allows this you know.
One last comment before I celebrate Mothers Day: I don't mean to dominate this Blog,and my comment is off subject, unfortunately there is alot to say about this Village and it's politics. I love this Village, I grew up here, my friends are here we have 1st,2nd, & 3rd generations here living and working. I owe my VV School District for my livlihood. There is much to be done here. Perhaps to make this really a place to grow, and really be the 1st "Best Place" to live in America to the true sense of the meaning.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked, dismayed, confused on the way these politics are played here, and that our politicians get away with it. Since all of these comments come out in blogs and good info. from Number Crunchers, and personal stories,and even stuff happening right before our eyes I have to ask these questions; Are we stupid to keep allowing this crap to continue? Why is it Bolingbrook that you'd rather sit on your a--es on your computer or infront of your home theater instead of getting involved with this Village. By not voting these people out when the term is over is a start. But you' all stay home and complain under the "Anonymous" symbols. I call it "ANY MOUSE" Why is it our citzens keep allowing this to happen over and over. The following comment may be a little harsh but a kick in the groin may be what we all need. All the women voters, would you allow yourself to keep being raped for umteen years rather than stopping it. THEN VOTE on these election dates! All you men or so call yourselfs find it more important to have your toys, the sports channels, the fish in the sea web sites, rather than going to a village meeting or your political party's monthly meetings, or a DuPage Township Mtng or even VOTING? The voting process itself takes about 5 minutes. I guess that is too much time to give up. Perhaps if you all did and passed the word then maybe good people like Rhonda and others would have won the election in place of another round of "As the Village Turns" for another 2-4 years.
The First Party was running scarred this time folks. Do you realize they had WILL COUNTY BOARD EXCUTIVES POUNDING THE STREETS THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE ELECTION! In all my years I have never seen this, and ya know what people you let your fellow Villagers down,including yourself and the 4th generations too. You as taxpayers had the best chance in 10 fricken years to change the way our local goverment/politics are played.You showed the First Party just how "stupid" we were, are continue to be. THANKS FOR LETTING THEM WIN.
Belly Laff, This is a ton of misinformation on this blog. The people serving on the boards of all these so called leech non-prifits serve as VOLUNTEERs, with no compensation whatsoever. Rhonda knows this since she has read their Federal and State 990's (tax returns) which by law must show the compensation to Board members. In spite of that she continually perpetuates the myth they're getting rich on tax dollars. Now she's starting on Power Connection because they are getting publicity to help them keep their doors open without any tax money. Apparently you're damned if you do and damned if you don't.
ReplyDeleteSo where did the $658,000 go?
ReplyDeleteWhy don't you ask Pat Claar et al to show their tax returns. That would be the only way to truly verify it.
Tax payers have a right to demand copies of government documents via FOIA request. Unfortunately, we do NOT have the same access to the non-profits, and the Form990s are just summaries.
The "power brokers" understand this all too well.
Frankly, I agree with Rhonda, government should not be giving any money to non-profits. That's not their job.
The Federal 990 is the tax form for nonprofits with income over $100,000, It is the same as your personal 1014 which shows everything.
ReplyDeleteGo here:
http://www.suite101.com/blog/ekennen/irs_form_990_for_nonprofits
Why not visit the Illinois ATG website to view the actual "non-profit" Form990.
ReplyDeleteLets use one of the 5 non-profits profiled in Rhonda's article, the CSC.
COMMUNITY SERVICE COUNCIL OF NORTHERN WILL COUNTY (CSC) - Reg.# 01022481
Copy/paste:http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/search/financialDoc.jsp
1. Page 9 shows ROBERT KALNICKY receiving $26k in compensation as Executive Director. Bob Kalnicky ALSO SERVES AS VP OF THE FOUNTAINDALE LIBRARY BOARD. Right?
2. Page 12, line 5 is showing $219k in COMPENSATION TO CURRENT OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, TRUSTEES & KEY EMPLOYEES. Where's the breakdown? Which "current officers" got a piece of the $219k.
WELL, WELL, THE FORM990 IS SHOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS IN BOLINGBROOK RECEIVING COMPENSATION FROM A "PET" NON-PROFIT.
Very good. Case closed>
ReplyDeletebring it baby.
ReplyDeleteHow do I get one of these gigs? 26K for a part time job, sure would help the retirement (aka: Campaign)fund.
ReplyDeleteLegal Eagle....good job. Points are thoughtful and well communicated.
Page 9 also lists every member of the Board of Directors and shows compensation of $0.00.
ReplyDeleteIt also shows Mr Kalnicky as working a 40 hour week.
He also gets no compensation for being on Library board.. no library board members are paid.
Apparently Legal Eagle and Rhonda have the same problem reading a 990.
Screwy logic on your part.
ReplyDeleteThe central point of the argument is whether or not it is ethical for elected officials to be serving on "pet" boards, while funnelling hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars to those very same organizations.
Stop trying to switch the debate.
Clever argument, but very weak at best.
ReplyDeleteBolingbrook leaders should not be donating to non-profits, period.
Just because you continue to push the "compensation" angle doesn't change the facts - the misuse and abuse of our tax dollars.
Even still, it's your opinion, and every voice counts on The Number Crunchers.
Great debate!
He gets 26K for a 40 hour a week job?
ReplyDeleteReally??????
Re: Robert Kalnk, which perk came first? The $26k so called full time job, or the library board job that includes luxury trips to San Diego and Reno once a year?
ReplyDeletewow
good point!
ReplyDeleteWe all see the money donated to such organizations as H2O. Does anyone think it is possible village money was combined to provide other "items" that would appear to be for the village. For example, lets say maybe the new phone system bought from Bill Mayer? Could extras have been purchased and end up elsewhere?
ReplyDeleteVery likely, yes.
ReplyDelete2 cents....oh so cynical.
ReplyDeleteDo you think something like that could actually happen? What about the Chamber of commerce, they too are in the "community center", perhaps a free phone system comes with the free rent.
Just Wondering. Do you really think that is cynical? I call it being real. :)
ReplyDelete2 cents, Me too.
ReplyDeleteHow much of this kind of crap goes on? Remember the Public works scandal? 100's of thousands of dollars. Do you really believe Hizzoner didn't know about it?
He either knew about it or is one of the dumbest politicians on the face of the earth.
Just wondering. Is it me or does it seem the scandles are not committed by just anybody. It is seems it is always the political hires!
ReplyDeletePublic works people filling their freezers with steaks bought with village credit cards! How could they not know?
Library board members can go to out of state conferences of the American Library Association twice a year. This year they went San Diego in January and will go to New Orleans in June for at least five days. This is perk of the board members for over thirty years. Other local library boards do not send trustees to such meetings since the cost would be considered wasteful.
ReplyDeleteSince when is it ethical to donate "taxpayer" monies to non-profits and charities, esp. when the people doing the donating are sitting on the Boards of the Donator and the Charities?
ReplyDeleteThe way I was told it works is - the organization that gets the donation from the Board member - donates all or part of it back as a campaign contribution. Hard to prove, but logical.
ReplyDelete