Vehe accounting a good idea, but ...
Deer Park Village Attorney Paul Keller thinks it's time for a final accounting of the Vehe Barn development. At the June board meeting, Keller listed total cost, cost overruns, items in the original R&W Clarke contract but NOT done, rework of items in Clarke contract but done badly and the cost of items not part of original Clarke contract.
Keller anticipates a lawsuit, but the bonding company isn't licensed in Illinois, Clarke may be bankrupt and the board approved a sweeping indemnification (written by Keller's firm and on file at Village Hall) of anyone involved in the project. At least, that's how I read it.
Whatever pockets there might have been are now empty or sewed up tight.
Still, a full accounting would go a long way to restore residents' confidence in this board. So what were they thinking, to suggest that the project manager -- a principal in the Barn's architectural firm -- could prepare this review?
Assuming the PM did everything professionally possible to make a success of the project, the honor system extends only so far.
Even more, it appears the PM expects to charge a fee for his review. Isn't this part of the original scope of his responsibilities?
Trustee Bob Kellermann, a professional CPA, has offered to match payments to invoices and contracts to liens and waivers -- on his own time, at his own expense.
President Gifford, can you say "checks and balances"?
Deborah Barry
Deer Park