Mayor Claar, Village Board's Popularity, An Illusion?

December 28, 2011

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

Are you fed up with the excessive spending, chronic budget deficits, constant bickering, and the enormous size of the federal government? 

Well, if you're a fiscal conservative (no matter the political party), you are probably mad as hell, and definitely plan on voting in the upcoming General election.  I certainly will.

However, did you know, we are suffering from similar type of problems locally, right here in Bolingbrook? 

There's excessive spending, massive debt, and an ever expanding government (e.g. the Village investing in losing ventures like the luxury golf course, international airport, and possibly, a new water agency).   

The gross nepotism, one-man, one-party type of government is dysfunctional, and the community's suffering because of it.

As a resident, and passionate fiscal conservative, I would like to see real change in Bolingbrook.  After all, we have a better chance of changing government at the local level than on the federal.

And surprisingly, the numbers are showing the community is ripe and ready for change. 

ELECTION RESULTS: 2005 thru 2011

The Number Crunchers examined the election results over an extended period of time - April, 2005 thru April, 2011. 

We consider the results encouraging, and wonder whether Mayor Claar and the First Party's "so-called" popularity is nothing more than an illusion.

Here's what we discovered:

• The Village trustees (The First Party) can only pull a maximum of 2700 votes per election.

• Although the First Party flooded the community with campaign signs, and brochures (in the April, 2011 election), the strategy failed to increase their total vote.  In fact, their total votes remained flat at 2700.

• The Village trustees tend to pull more votes when Mayor Claar is up for re-election.  We consider the April, 2009 election results to be skewed because of the preceding election (the Obama wave) which drew a historic number of voters to the polls.  We don't expect to see a similar wave in November, 2012.

• CLICK HERE TO VIEW GRAPH

• The total number of voters (in Bolingbrook) drawn to the polls are slowly rising.  This is good news for potential candidates thinking about running against the incumbents. 

• CLICK HERE TO VIEW GRAPH

CONCLUSION

The Village of Bolingbrook is ripe for change. 

If you want to see a local government that's committed to spending less, eliminating waste, reducing its size and function, then vote for candidates that are committed to just that, and/or consider running for local office yourself.

It's time for more fiscal conservatives from all political parties to step forward.  The time is now.

Come join us.

Please note, I have no plans to run for public office, now or in the near future.  Any election activity will be limited to reporting from the sidelines.  I am very optimistic about the new year, and look forward to reporting on local government activities, which is a God given passion.  Have a happy new year.

CLICK TO SHARE COMMENTS

The 30-Day No Restaurant Challenge

Dining out with your family can be an expensive habit, especially if you dine in Bolingbrook.  Consider the 30-day no restaurant challenge.
 

December 12, 2011

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

How often do you dine out?

Well, if you choose to dine in Bolingbrook, you will be charged a whopping 10% in taxes, which make Bolingbrook more expensive than Naperville and Chicago.

So if you happen to be a family of 4, the additional tax as well as the basic charge for meals can be quite expensive.  Frankly, it makes little financial sense to dine in Bolingbrook, or anywhere else for that matter.

Unless you're blessed with lots of disposable income, dining-out is becoming less of an appealing option.

Just recently, MSN Money published a fantastic article titled, "The 30-Day No Restaurant Challenge."  This strategy can save you money, as well as bring your family closer together.

According to the article, families can benefit in the following ways:

• The money saved can be spent in other areas.

• The family can actually enjoy cooking together by creating new dishes, and sharing cooking responsibilities.

• The family discover there's a lot of food in the house already.

• The family learns, leftovers are not that bad.

Please take a moment to read the MSN Money article (link below), and think about how often your family dine out.  Consider trying "the 30-day No Restaurant Challenge."  At the very least, it can save you money.

CLICK TO READ MSN MONEY ARTICLE

CLICK TO READ OUR 9.19.11 ARTICLE

CLICK TO SHARE YOUR COMMENTS

Plan On Dining Out?  Think Twice, It Will Cost You More Money To Eat In Bolingbrook 

Think About It:  The New Water Agency May Not Lead To Cheaper Rates 

As local politicians push for the creation of a new agency, they remain silent on the matter of "oversight" and "accountability".  Important tools necessary to protect the community from gross mismanagement.

August 25, 2011

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

Bolingbrook residents know first-hand, the outrage over Illinois American Water's (IAW) inflated water rates.

To recap:  Last year, IAW got approval for a $41 million rate increase (26%), as well as the power to raise rates by up to 5% per year without ICC approval.

Village officials and other local politicians appear to be doing all they can to fight against the outrageous rate increases.

• The Village of Bolingbrook (along with 4 surrounding communities) joined forces to create an independent water agency called Northern Will County Joint Action Water Agency.

• The Village of Bolingbrook filed a 3-count lawsuit against IAW.

• Senator A.J. Wilhelmi (D) sponsored Senate Bill 83, which give communities the power to use eminent domain to take control of the pipelines.  The Bill passed both chambers, and now sits on Governor Quinn's desk.

• Representative, Emily McAsey (D) is co-sponsor of the bill.

COMMUNITIES IAW SERVE

Illinois American Water serves the following communities:

1. Bolingbrook
2. Romeoville
3. Woodridge
4. Plainfield
5. Lemont
6. Homer Glen

5 of the 6 communities listed make up the Northern Will County Joint Action Water Agency.

Plainfield's the only community that decided to opt out.

SUPPORTERS OF THE INDEPENDENT WATER AGENCY

The local politicians have come out in full force supporting the independent water agency.

Read their comments (below).

Mayor Roger Claar

"Buying the pipeline would afford Bolingbrook residents a cheaper water bill. By acquiring the pipeline (through purchase or eminent domain), will prevent rates from rising, and cost would decrease..." (Chicago Tribune, 4/23/10)

Senator A.J. Wilhelmi (D)

Sponsor of SB 83 legislation, "The bottom line is the people in my community have spoken. They want their municipalities to take control of this water system, and they want to see the accountability and respect they deserve."

(Sun-Times, 8/4/11)

Representative, Emily McAsey (D)

"The village's attempt to create its own water company would be a good thing for area residents." (Romeoville Patch, 7/20/11)

CLICK TO READ MORE

July 12, 2011

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

As taxpayers, how do we know if our local leaders are being fiscally responsible?

Well, the one place we can't start is with elected officials (i.e. politicians). It's not in their best interest to speak honestly about the community's financial condition.

Yes, I know, the truth hurts, but don't panic, there is help out there.

In fact, there's one reliable source that will report the Village finances accurately and fairly -  the independent auditor.

The independent auditor's primary job is to examine and verify the accuracy and completeness of information presented in the financial statements. From the results, they will issue a formal opinion, and often submit a management letter, which not only identify areas of weakness, but offer recommendations as well.

Since governmental entities are required to have an audit performed every year, the management letter should spell out most, if not all of the problems with a governmental entity's internal control and financial reporting.

As a government finance advocate, I was more than eager to get my hands on a copy of the management letter for fiscal 2010, and report the findings.

Click to read what we discovered

Village of Bolingbrook

Holds the First of 3

Budget Workshops

Highlights

April 3, 2011

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

The Village of Bolingbrook held the first of 3 scheduled workshops on Saturday, April 2, 2011.  I attended the workshop with one major question in mind - Where's the spending cuts? 

As a "pseudo" government finance advocate, I would like to see more spending cuts, in the right areas, of course.

For over a year, our volunteers have combed the Village financials and identified areas of possible waste and/or mismanagement. 

Today, we feel comfortable in saying that our readers have at least a basic understanding of how the Village spends our tax dollars.   Fiscal year 2010/11 will end April 30,2011.  The final judgement is yours to make - do you support the decisions made by Mayor Claar and the Village Board?

CLICK TO READ HIGHLIGHTS

Update:  Mayor Claar cancelled the final 2 board meetings because of the lack of participation from the public.

FOLLOW THE MONEY SERIES

Highly Paid Employees with Expensive Benefits Drain Village Budget

November 18,2010

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

Mission Accomplished!

The Number Crunchers have completed the final analysis of Bolingbrook's 2010/11 Annual Budget.  Limiting our focus to the General Fund, since the basic functions of government are tracked in this fund.

We are very excited to share our findings, and hope that the results will help answer 4 important questions.

1. What's the Village primary revenue source?
2. How's the money being spent?
3. Identify the primary areas cut?
4. What's the final analysis?

CLICK TO READ MORE

WHAT LIES BENEATH SERIES

Pinch Pennies To Save Money

More propaganda?  Or the real deal?

September 21, 2010

By Rhonda Reed-Slaughter

As reported in the Bolingbrook Sun (9//18/10) -

"Responding to today's economic climate, Bolingbrook Mayor Claar challenged resident-run commissions to cut their budgets in a manner that did not significantly impact the quality of the events they are responsible for producing."

What was your first impression when reading this?  We're you impressed with the Mayor for making an effort to really cut cost?  Does this give the impression that our Mayor and Village board are doing all that they can to control spending?

Well, think again.

According to the 2010/11 Village of Bolingbrook budget, the total amount budgeted for the resident-run commissions, and events total a whopping $ 194k.   Whereas, the total budget for "expenditures in the general corporate fund" is $ 54.5 million.

Total Executive Commissions represent a mere fraction of total expenditures.  So what's the real impact of these savings?  Minimal.

CLICK TO SEE BREAKDOWN

Fiscal Year: 5/1/xx - 4/30/xx

Total Estimated Revenue (2012 budget): $99.6 million

General Corporate Fund: Revenue Source

Est. Revenue - $58.2 million, 58% of total estimated revenue.

Source:

1. State Sales Tax - $23.5 million

2. State Income Tax - $5.8 million

3. Simplified Phone Tax - $2.8 million

4. Real Estate Transfer Tax - $1.94

     million.

5. Property Tax - $1.84 million

6. Restaurant Tax - $1.75 million

7. Liquor Tax - $1.5 million

8. Hotel Tax - $1.4 million