Total voted Ballots - 702
Recall of Clerk Linda Waddy :
Yes votes:289
No votes: 413
Recall of Treasurer Nancy Dudek :
Yes votes: 280
No votes: 419
Recall of Trustee Linda Belesky :
Yes votes: 285
No votes: 410
Thank You Riley Township voters for your support.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
COPY OF LETTER TO THE NEWSPAPERS:
Letter to the editor:
There is a lot of misinformation and rumors going around Riley Township, regarding the reasons for the upcoming recall election. I would like to try to clear some of this up. I, Linda Waddy (Clerk), along with Nancy Dudek, (Treasurer), and Linda Belesky, (Trustee), are all on the ballot. The reason submitted by the petitioner is the same for all three of us; “for the irresponsible use of Riley Township funds in regards to attorney fees incurred, resulting in reduced services for the fiscal year 2009/2010”. Now how absurd is that?
Let me just say that there were no irresponsible use of funds. The attorney fees paid throughout the year covered normal issues, such as, attorney reviews, letters to the auditor or residents, FOIA’s, tax matters and then there was a court case. The court case against the owners of Bisco’s Truck Stop, was started to get them to comply with the Township ordinances, to apply for approval of their new business and to obtain the proper building permits, etc. The residents came to our meetings asking the Board to make them comply. The entire Board voted to proceed to court with this case, after numerous attempts to get compliance failed.
I was voted into office several times, because of my ability to do my job as I was elected to do. I took an Oath of Office to uphold the Township Ordinances (Laws) and do what is best for the Township residents. The decisions we make are not always easy, but they are necessary. Evidently, the Judge in this case agreed, because he also agreed with me and the other two members subject to this recall. He did not accept the final consent judgment, until we changed it to reflect the use and location of the adult business. There were many issues involved here, such as, an appeal of the court’s restraining order, meetings with the attorneys involved, extra discoveries, and so on that was beyond our control. These costs, approved by all five Board Members, were necessary to operate the Township.
Also, these attorney fees did not cause any reduced services in the Township. The road projects were still completed, the fire contracts are intact, taxes are being collected, office hours have been maintained and the street lights are still on. No services have changed. Let me also explain, that the Township Park and those related activities are paid for by the Parks millage distribution through the County, voted for and approved by the residents. It is no secret that we are all in tough financial times right now and with the reduction of State Revenue Sharing and lower property values, the Township revenues are down. To offset these losses, we have suspended benefits and training options along with keeping tight reins on all the budget line items. Again, NO services have been cut to the residents.
I would have to write a book to explain all the details that took place regarding these court cases, but I am willing to discuss this with anyone, if you have questions. Please don’t get caught up in the political and power games that prompted this recall attempt. The petitioner filed these petitions for personal reasons, because he was denied waivers of fees and approvals, without going through the proper procedures (sound familiar?).
I ask that you help me and the other two Board Members, honor the wishes of the voters at the last Election and come out and vote “NO” on the recall attempts at the Special Election on February 23rd.
This Election is a real irresponsible use of Township funds. It is costing you, the taxpayer, several thousands of dollars for someone else’s personal reasons.
Linda Waddy, Riley Township Clerk
There is a lot of misinformation and rumors going around Riley Township, regarding the reasons for the upcoming recall election. I would like to try to clear some of this up. I, Linda Waddy (Clerk), along with Nancy Dudek, (Treasurer), and Linda Belesky, (Trustee), are all on the ballot. The reason submitted by the petitioner is the same for all three of us; “for the irresponsible use of Riley Township funds in regards to attorney fees incurred, resulting in reduced services for the fiscal year 2009/2010”. Now how absurd is that?
Let me just say that there were no irresponsible use of funds. The attorney fees paid throughout the year covered normal issues, such as, attorney reviews, letters to the auditor or residents, FOIA’s, tax matters and then there was a court case. The court case against the owners of Bisco’s Truck Stop, was started to get them to comply with the Township ordinances, to apply for approval of their new business and to obtain the proper building permits, etc. The residents came to our meetings asking the Board to make them comply. The entire Board voted to proceed to court with this case, after numerous attempts to get compliance failed.
I was voted into office several times, because of my ability to do my job as I was elected to do. I took an Oath of Office to uphold the Township Ordinances (Laws) and do what is best for the Township residents. The decisions we make are not always easy, but they are necessary. Evidently, the Judge in this case agreed, because he also agreed with me and the other two members subject to this recall. He did not accept the final consent judgment, until we changed it to reflect the use and location of the adult business. There were many issues involved here, such as, an appeal of the court’s restraining order, meetings with the attorneys involved, extra discoveries, and so on that was beyond our control. These costs, approved by all five Board Members, were necessary to operate the Township.
Also, these attorney fees did not cause any reduced services in the Township. The road projects were still completed, the fire contracts are intact, taxes are being collected, office hours have been maintained and the street lights are still on. No services have changed. Let me also explain, that the Township Park and those related activities are paid for by the Parks millage distribution through the County, voted for and approved by the residents. It is no secret that we are all in tough financial times right now and with the reduction of State Revenue Sharing and lower property values, the Township revenues are down. To offset these losses, we have suspended benefits and training options along with keeping tight reins on all the budget line items. Again, NO services have been cut to the residents.
I would have to write a book to explain all the details that took place regarding these court cases, but I am willing to discuss this with anyone, if you have questions. Please don’t get caught up in the political and power games that prompted this recall attempt. The petitioner filed these petitions for personal reasons, because he was denied waivers of fees and approvals, without going through the proper procedures (sound familiar?).
I ask that you help me and the other two Board Members, honor the wishes of the voters at the last Election and come out and vote “NO” on the recall attempts at the Special Election on February 23rd.
This Election is a real irresponsible use of Township funds. It is costing you, the taxpayer, several thousands of dollars for someone else’s personal reasons.
Linda Waddy, Riley Township Clerk
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
YOUR VOTE IS NEEDED....
Your support and kind wishes has been appreciated by these three Board Members subject to this recall attempt. But, now we need action. We need you to get out and vote NO this Tuesday. If you won't be around on Tue., go to the Township Office and get an absentee ballot. It is only by your vote now, that we can preserve the decision we all made on November 4, 2008, when we voted these women in office. Do not let a few people change the results of that Election. Your voice needs to be heard at the polls on February 23rd.
Linda Waddy, Nancy Dudek and Linda Belesky have all represented the Township (us) with great commitment and professionalism. They need to be thanked for the wonderful job they having been doing, even when they are challenged with unnecessary matters.
We can thank them by getting to the polls and voting "NO".
Linda Waddy, Nancy Dudek and Linda Belesky have all represented the Township (us) with great commitment and professionalism. They need to be thanked for the wonderful job they having been doing, even when they are challenged with unnecessary matters.
We can thank them by getting to the polls and voting "NO".
Monday, February 15, 2010
SIGNS...
Have you noticed where all the signs, in favor of the recall are showing up? For instance, at Bisco's Truck Stop, at Ron Sebastian's business and the Life of Riley party store. And don't miss the one at The Supervisor's house. The few businesses in the Township, where the owners are against any ordinances or rules for themselves. What does that tell you?
Evidently, the three women on the recall ballot are truly the ones looking out for us. Please go to the polls on Feb. 23rd. and vote NO. It won't take but a few minutes of your time and if you can not make it there, get an absentee ballot. Just call the Township Office at 392-2326 and they will tell you what you need to do.
Protect our Township and keep these three women in office. It's obvious from all the tall tales going around that we need them.
Evidently, the three women on the recall ballot are truly the ones looking out for us. Please go to the polls on Feb. 23rd. and vote NO. It won't take but a few minutes of your time and if you can not make it there, get an absentee ballot. Just call the Township Office at 392-2326 and they will tell you what you need to do.
Protect our Township and keep these three women in office. It's obvious from all the tall tales going around that we need them.
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