Controversial T-shirt assists with legal bills

The T-shirt that has everyone talking in Island Lake is now available for purchase on eBay.

A group of residents calling themselves Citizens for Better Government in Island Lake has been selling a replica of the shirt worn by embattled Vietnam veteran Greg Kachka on the Web site since Friday night.

"We'll keep ordering the shirts as long as people keep buying them," organizer Tom Martin said.

The shirt has a picture of a Marine Corps sniper on it with the words: "Don't Move. If You Run, You'll Only Die Tired."

About 43 shirts have been sold, Martin said. Each is signed by Kachka, with proceeds going to his legal defense fund.

Kachka, 60, was wearing the T-shirt during a March 13 village board meeting when he allegedly had his right index finger and thumb portraying a hand gun pointed at the village board. It prompted Trustee Debbie Herrmann and Village Clerk Christy Kaczmarek to file a complaint with police.

Kachka, who has maintained he was only pointing at Herrmann after she made a face at him, was arrested April 29. He was charged with two counts of disorderly conduct.

A June 2 court date is scheduled. If convicted, he could face up to 30 days in jail, two years of probation and a $1,500 fine.

Kachka said it feels good knowing the community is behind him, but the last few days have been tough.

"I've been reading a lot of negative comments about me and it gets me down," he said. "I'm not a crazy man. I started this to get a little attention to this village. And my T-shirt isn't because I'm a wacko. I'm proud of my service in the Marine Corps."

The original shirt has also been signed by Kachka and will be framed and sold on eBay as well.

Martin said he contacted operators of the Web site ramgraphics.com to ask permission to sell the shirt for Kachka's legal bills.

The shirts normally sell for $15, but ramgraphics.com sold dozens of them to Martin for $8 each. Martin is selling them on eBay for $20 with all profits going to Kachka.

Residents have also set up an account through Fifth Third Bank for anyone who want to contribute to Kachka's legal defense.

"I don't want this to come across as political, and I'm not going after the village personally," Martin said. "This has just really stirred my interest."