Bianchi's petty cash no small issue to auditor
McHenry County Auditor Pam Palmer says she's taking steps to make sure there is no repeat of the almost $60,000 paid out in petty cash and individual reimbursements to McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi since he took office.
"A petty cash fund is to be used for minor, nonrecurring types of expenditures, especially when immediate payment is required," the auditor said Tuesday. "I'll be looking at strengthening the areas I feel need to be strengthened."
Palmer said she will meet with the state's attorney and county officials to discuss the glut of payments discovered after this newspaper filed Freedom of Information Act requests. More than $17,000 of those expenditures were for meals, candy, doughnuts, pop and other goodies, all paid for by taxpayers since early 2005.
"I will be talking to them," Palmer said. "I will be talking to them a lot about petty cash and what goes through there."
The auditor stressed it's vital to use regular payment processes for accurate record-keeping as well as an audit trail.
Do you suppose anyone will bring doughnuts to that meeting?
You decide
In case anyone wants to check for themselves, we've posted a spreadsheet of reimbursement requests from the state's attorney. I've also requested the $30,000-plus in petty cash reimbursements and will post those once we receive them in the correct format.
See the reimbursement spreadsheet
Carrying a torch
Typhoons willing, Algonquin Police Chief Russell Laine will soon journey to China for a very special run along the Great Wall.
Fresh from a White House visit, the chief, who is also the 2nd vice president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, will travel to China with the Illinois delegation for the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games. The chief was part of the torch lighting ceremony at the White House with President Bush and the first lady at the end of July -- "It's an awesome experience," he said -- and will be part of the final leg delivering the "Flame of Hope" to the games' opening ceremonies in Shanghai Stadium. Police officers from across the world have truly helped make a difference for these special athletes.
A lot of those assists came from former East Dundee Police Chief Joe Pena, who is "Mr. Law Enforcement Torch Run," Chief Laine said. The former chief was also invited but couldn't attend this time.
Making the news
Watch for the Algonquin chief on the news today as he also participates in a national press conference in Washington, D.C., to unveil a new report on gun violence. We're going to have to call him Chief Globetrotter pretty soon.
Wordsmith
Closer to home, Carpentersville Police Cmdr. Michael Kilbourne tells me the department is enjoying a link to fame through Sgt. Richard Fetzer's son Ryan's best man.
Phew, did you get that without a diagram?
Geoffrey Edwards, who graduated from Dundee-Crown High School in 1994, has just had his first novel published by Simon & Schuster.
His book, "Fire Bell in the Night," won the Gather First Chapters national contest.
Now on tour, Geoffrey will be at the Crystal Lake Borders at 7 p.m. Sept. 25. It sounds like a must-read and not just because it involves a reporter. Cheapest price I found so far is at amazon.com. I hear District 300 folks are plenty proud, too. Way to go, Geoffrey.
Yum!
Shelley Walenga invites us all to come enjoy the Lake in the Hills American Legion Steak Fry from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Legion, 1101 W. Algonquin Road. That's on the south side of the road, just east of Pyott Road. Shelley's the American Legion Auxiliary president for Lake in the Hills. She tells me you'll get a 12-ounce ribeye with baked potato, vegetable, salad, rolls and dessert. Children 12 and younger can choose a 6-ounce ribeye or a hot dog dinner. It's $15 for adults, $8 for children's steak and $6.95 for the hot dog dinner. Call (847) 658-2010 for details.
Fun!
Shawn McDonald and friends are busy getting ready for their fun event this Saturday as well. And they hope those of us 21 and older will also stop by the St. James Country Auction from 6:30 to about 10 p.m. at Boynton Parish Hall, Washington and North Sixth streets in West Dundee. It's $15 per person and you'll get a live and silent auction, live country music, plenty of good food and music. Chili, brats, macaroni and cheese, peppers and sausage, corn bread and collard greens will help set the tone at this hoe-down event featuring some fine country music. You can bid on everything from a weekend stay at the Abbey in Lake Geneva to Christmas ornaments and chairs. Call (847) 426-5612 for details.