Gurnee flower bill fight continues to bloom

Gurnee's funding of flower purchases at a shop owned by a village trustee is at the root of a long-running dispute between a pair of elected officials.

The most recent flare-up between trustees Jeanne Balmes and Greg Garner started at an April 5 village board meeting over a $72 bill sent to the village by Gurnee Flowers by Balmes.

Balmes provided her usual explanation about how her economic interest in her shop was the reason she wouldn't vote on the payment. Garner quickly reiterated his belief Balmes shouldn't be doing business with the village, even though she's not breaking any laws.

Garner, who has voted against Balmes' floral invoices since at least August 2008, said elected officials should avoid "even the appearance of wrongdoing to the witnessing public."

Village board members went on to approve Balmes' $72 charge in a 3-2 vote, with Garner and Trustee Kirk Morris as the objectors. Morris hasn't spoken out like Garner about the village payments to Balmes.

Balmes contends Garner's "no" votes over nearly two years are strictly personal, but he denies her assertion.

At issue is a long-standing policy of earmarking money to purchase flowers on behalf of the village for special occasions. Officials say efforts are always made to keep business in town, so Balmes gets the orders because she has the only village-based florist.

First elected as a trustee in 2001, Balmes said she follows the law by not voting on the flower bills and not topping the $4,000 in annual village business she's allowed by state statute. She also files an annual economic interest form with the state and is prohibited from charging more than $2,000 on one contract.

"I'm sorry, has there been an influx of residents coming in and complaining?" Balmes asked Monday. "They haven't."

This year, Balmes has had $646 in bills approved by the village board, meeting minutes show. Trustees Hank Schwarz, Michael Jacobs and Cheryl Ross have been in favor, with Morris joining Garner on the "no" side three times.

Garner consistently voted against $872 in Gurnee Flowers by Balmes bills in 2009, with Morris joining him on two of four occasions. Garner was the lone objector on three votes for Balmes' invoices that totaled $232 in 2008.

Two residents addressed the flower controversy during public comment time at a village board meeting last week.

Mark Stoyas defended Balmes, saying she's employing Gurnee residents and paying taxes on her business.

"I wish you would lean over to Jeanne and tell her, 'I'm sorry,'" Stoyas said to Garner.

But Kevin Moss said Gurnee officials should not have private business dealings with the village. He also questioned why public money is used for floral arrangements sent as congratulations or in sympathy to someone.

Village Administrator James Hayner has explained to elected officials that employees may request flowers in appropriate circumstances. He said the village is conservative when tapping public money for the flowers.

In April 2009, Garner suggested the village use the supermarket chains in Gurnee for flower purchases instead of Balmes' shop. He also asked the village to seek competitive floral bids without success in July 2009.

"The average resident doesn't even know it's legal," Garner said Monday. "It just doesn't look good that a sitting board member gets a contract or an order."

Mayor Kristina Kovarik has said the flower orders would be divided if another shop opens.