Setting the Record Straight in the Palatine Township Race

When election time comes around, the truth often becomes elusive. I believe there are two types of people who run for elected office: politicians and public servants. I seek out the public servants as they are friends of the truth.

It's critical to doublecheck statements made by candidates. Believing everything you read or hear without doing so can be tempting, I know. But it's a path that will lead you to disappointment and frustration.

This Tuesday, February 26, our community has the opportunity to vote on candidates for the Palatine Township Board. 

Unfortunately, false statements have been made and it's time to set the record straight with the actual facts.

One of the slates sent out a mailer with the headline: "The only candidates to pledge to refuse government pensions….because part-time government positions shouldn’t receive taxpayer-funded pensions".

I agree 100% with the second half of that statement: government pensions for part-time jobs cannot be justified. But, it's first half that is untrue and needs examination.

Lisa Moran, current Township Clerk, declined her pension and had to overcome Board pushback to do so.

She has never made one penny in pension benefits and never will.

• Her participation was terminated at HER request only after having to fight for the right to do so. Why did she have to fight? Excellent question. Certain candidates from that same slate making the false statements fought her on the issue. Only after getting the attorney involved did they sign off on it and Clerk Moran was able to assert her right to opt out of the pension. What a waste of attorney time and Township money.
• One just has to look at the minutes from November and December 2012: http://www.palatinetownship.com/storage/board-minutes/11-19-12%20%20Minutes%20rev.pdf" and http://www.palatinetownship.com/storage/board-minutes/12-17-12%20Minutes.pdf.
• Here is the part of which to take note: "Clerk Moran reminded the board that she has always stated that the Clerk’s Office didn’t require the necessary 1000 hours and urged the board to be fiscally responsible and vote to approve this resolution now that IMRF has offered this opportunity."
• Rather than having her request be approved immediately at the November meeting, it was deferred so the attorney could get involved. It was finally approved in December.

Lisa Moran is a public servant. But you don't have to take my word for it. The facts speak for themselves.

Please vote Tuesday.