Streamwood parks official sent political mailing

Streamwood park board candidate John Beto wants an apology after the discovery of an unfavorable e-mail about him that was forwarded by a district employee on the job.

Debbie Karner, superintendent of recreation, acknowledged she sent the e-mail on March 9. Her admission came after Beto confronted the park board Tuesday and questioned the appropriateness of a public employee sending election materials out during the workday while paid with taxpayers' money.

Karner, a 17-year park district veteran, denied her action was political.

"I do regret it because it was misunderstood," she said. "I am very sorry. I was strictly passing on information."

Using her district e-mail account, Karner forwarded to several people an edition of the "Inside the Election" newsletter written by Rich Trzupek, an Examiner Publications reporter and staunch supporter of Village President Billie Roth.

The newsletter encouraged readers to vote against Beto, as well as against Jason Speer, who is running against Roth for village president, and village board candidate Rich Janiec, who's a park board commissioner.

Speer, Janiec and Beto are "three local candidates whom, in my view, should not be elected in any circumstances," Trzupek wrote.

State law and many local ethics ordinances prohibit people who work for the government from using government time and resources to campaign for or against a political candidate or otherwise try to influence the outcome of an election.

And Karner's actions would appear to be in violation of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, said David Morrison, associate director for the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, a Chicago-based watchdog group.

Morrison said Karner's actions were particular troubling because she not only forwarded the newsletter but added her own message: "Just passing on to those of you who are in town and have a vote (or have a family with a vote)."

Stein said he's spoken with Karner but declined to elaborate on any possible disciplinary actions.

"We're dealing with this internally, relative to what occurred," Stein said. "We don't condone it. In fact, it's very improper, and we'll be dealing with the employee appropriately relative to recommendations from our HR director and attorneys."

Stein said district officials have already attempted to apologize to Beto, Speer and Janiec, but those offers haven't been accepted. Beto said Thursday he hasn't received an apology. Speer also attended Tuesday's meeting and denounced Karner's actions. Janiec tossed a printout of Karner's e-mail on the board table and said: "I don't to see need this garbage."

Trzupek has openly supported Roth and other candidates while writing news stories for the Examiner. He's member of the park district's charity foundation board, despite living in Palatine.

Roth did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

There are five candidates, including Beto, for the three park board seats up on April 7. Incumbents Tom Keating and Paula Lambertz are running, as well as Adriana Armstrong and Rich Brogan.

Beto was an assistant superintendent with the district who left in 2008, several months after he said he was demoted.