East Dundee to return sponsor money after Oktoberfest controversy

Sponsors of the East Dundee Oktoberfest will have their money returned in response to Village President Dan Pearson turning the event into an impromptu Republican political rally.

In a split decision, the East Dundee Village Board voted Oct. 19 to return $5,250 to all 12 sponsors.

Village President Dan Pearson was against the idea.

“Was I wrong for allowing a political candidate to speak at an event? Yes. I’m sorry I put people through that,” Pearson said. “At the time, I didn’t know it was wrong. It was a spontaneous thing.

“I’ve been censured by the board. I have no intention of repeating that mistake. I’m not asking anyone to excuse my actions. I’m simply asking that we distinguish between my mistake and whether the village fulfilled its obligation to sponsors, which I believe we did.”

Controversy erupted when Pearson invited Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and 8th District Congressional Republican candidate Jennifer Davis to the stage on Sept. 26.

During his comments, Bailey urged the audience to vote for him in his Nov. 3 race against Gov. JB Pritzker. He also made reference to Cliff Surges, a Republican running for a Kane County Board District 21 seat.

In its unanimous Oct. 5 motion to censure Pearson, the board said his actions created “the appearance of preferential treatment of particular candidates.”

Trustees also cited him for other actions, including a comment he wrote on a candidate’s social media page stating the “language in America is English” and making “inappropriate and distasteful” comments toward women during the Oktoberfest stein-holding contest.

One business asked for a refund days after the event, officials said.

Trustees Matt Oclon and Andy Sauder asked the board to discuss returning the money.

Sauder has been involved in previous community events, he said, and explained that a sponsorship allows a business to have their brand aligned with an event.

“We all unanimously agreed it wasn’t handled appropriately,” Sauder said. “If we messed up, we make it right. I think it is a reasonable thing to do.”

“We want people to sponsor our events,” Oclon said.

The refund would be made available to all sponsors if they want it, Sauder said.

Trustee Tricia Saviano, who did not attend the meeting because she was ill, sent a statement saying she was opposed to sponsors being reimbursed. Trustee Ryan Gumma said he believed issuing refunds would not set a good precedent.

“The event was great and well attended. Everybody made money,” Gumma said. “We had one person request this. That person is not even in business anymore. I think we should just move on.”

Oktoberfest had two levels of sponsorship: Bier and Bratwurst. The Bier level was a $500 sponsorship and was funded by Black & Gray Brewing (which has since closed), Builders Asphalt, Gerald L. Heinz & Associates, Lauderdale Electric, Main Street Dental, No Manches Mexican Grill, Palumbo Management, Pinches Miches and State Farm Insurance (Michael Hasselbring).

There were three Bratwurst sponsors at $250: Nest Schools East Dundee, a silent sponsor, and Surges Associates, which is Cliff Surges’ insurance company.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The (Elgin) Courier-News.