Ethics complaint against Palatine councilman dismissed
A community picnic turned into a political headache for Palatine Councilman Aaron Del Mar following allegations he inappropriately used village resources to circulate petitions in his bid to become one of the area's top Republicans.
An ethics commission on Tuesday dismissed the formal complaint, saying there was insufficient evidence to support the claim.
"I paid for everything out of my own pocket at the picnic and to have it thrown back in my face was upsetting," Del Mar said after Tuesday's hearing. "The allegations were unfounded."
The complaint was made by a supporter of Gary Skoien, who's facing off against Del Mar in the Palatine Township GOP committeeman race. Roman Golash is a precinct captain who circulated petitions for Skoien.
Del Mar promoted the picnic on the village's TV station and Web site and mentioned it at council meetings. A fire truck, ambulance and police K-9 unit were also there. Golash said that use of village services became illegal and unethical when the petitions came out.
"It is unethical behavior to entice the citizens of Palatine to a city-supported event to find out it was a political event to collect petitions," Golash said.
Del Mar attorney James Nally said the complaint lacked specificity and was based on hearsay because Golash didn't personally attend the picnic. He compared the event to Palatine's Street Fest, which is funded by the village, takes place on public property and often features political booths.
The ethics commission, consisting of Mayor Jim Schwantz, Clerk Marg Duer, village attorney Patrick Brankin and Councilman Brad Helms, took about 30 minutes to deliberate in closed session.
Golash, who represented himself, said he acted independently and conferred with certain members of the Palatine Township Republican organization only to get background on what took place at the picnic.
Skoien said he knows Golash through the GOP group and was aware of the complaint, but had nothing to do with it.
"I'm more than a little surprised it was dismissed considering (Del Mar) used the event the way he did," Skoien said.