Avon Twp. seeks refunds for money spent on trip

Avon Township's new board must wait a little longer than anticipated to learn if it'll recoup more than $2,500 in taxpayers' money another set of officials agreed to pay so the outgoing assessor and assistant could attend a Miami convention.

Township Supervisor Sam Yingling on Monday said Assessor Rick Dishman was directed to seek refunds for hotel reservations and fees paid for the ProVal International Users Group event in September. The trip would be about 90 days before Dishman's four-year term ends.

Yingling asked Dishman if he was successful canceling two rooms at Loews Miami Beach Hotel that cost $1,638, as well as $870 in fees for the ProVal convention, Sept. 26 to Oct. 1. Assistant Penny Heckel would accompany Dishman.

"You'll have the letter (today)," Dishman said when asked Monday if he took action. "You'll have to wait and see."

Later in the meeting, Trustee Sherry Ridge criticized Dishman for his lack of information.

By a 4-1 vote June 2, trustees and Yingling agreed to seek refunds for the Miami trip. The majority contended taxpayers wouldn't benefit when Dishman would be so close to his departure date.

Yingling said he's been unable to obtain refunds for two airline tickets to Miami that cost $478. He said he asked the previous town board to not approve any travel expenses before he took over May 18.

Bryce Carus, who was part of Yingling's political slate when he beat Dishman in the April election, becomes assessor Jan. 1.

Separately, Yingling said the Lake County state's attorney's office still is investigating computer file deletion by former Avon Township supervisor Shirley Christian toward the end of her term. In an interview last week, Christian said she only meant to delete e-mail addresses and other personal information that wouldn't be valuable to Yingling - not all the supervisor's computer files.

Trustees appointed Christian supervisor in 2006 after health problems forced her husband, Russell, to depart the post after 17 years. Yingling edged out Shirley Christian in the April election.

Avon Township includes all or part of Grayslake, Hainesville, Third Lake and the Round Lake area.