May Meeting and Miscellaneous

Lots to follow!  Let us know what you want us to report on!  Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Next SVTP Meeting:  Tuesday, May 22nd at 6:30pm, Rock Falls Public Library   Details Below Dixon Transparency Update I'd like to thank Li Arellano for keeping us posted on the happenings in Dixon! The city council is working directly with the Illinois Policy Institute to revamp city transparency.  Commissioner Kuhn is taking the lead on it and has already met directly with Brian Costin from IPI.  Dixon has already updated it's website with a "Citizen's Information Center" tab on the front page, and there is a staff member working on uploading both old and new records.  It will be a project for a little while, so we have to keep watch and make sure they stay on top of it, but it very much seems they will be working on this issue. Two other developments: First, Tuesday evening I was on a tele-town hall call with the Illinois Policy Institute and the Illinois Opportunity Project talking about government transparency to a broader audience.  The transparency project is something we would like to spread to other surrounding communities BEFORE embezzlement and other issues happen there.  Second, Sen. Dan Duffy has introduced a bill that would put legal requirements on local governmental bodies in terms of transparency standards.  I believe Sen. Bivins is a co-sponsor now.  This bill has some merit, and local activists should be aware of it. As for the city council meeting, they are hiring new auditors, beginning a more forensic-style audit immediately (through WipFli accounting), and have changed the required signatures on checks from one to three.  They are also hiring TWO new temporary comptrollers, and are reviewing other standards and practices.  There is also a local investigation beginning, but the ongoing FBI investigation has the lead until it wraps up.  State charges are still being considered against Crundwell, as well.  No one intends to resign, and no mention was made of how the no-longer-being-embezzled funds will be used going forward.  I did bring up tax relief at the city council meeting, since clearly we were being taxed far more than needed! SVTP May Meeting Guest Speaker: Christie Schilling wife of Congressman Bobby Schilling 6:30pm Tuesday, May 22nd Rock Falls Public Library (1007  7th Avenue, Rock Falls IL)   Christie and Bobby Schilling are small business owners and the parents of 10 children.  Bobby has taken his strong family values, common sense and small business experience with him to Washington DC-- three things which are severely lacking in our nation's capital!  Join us at the Rock Falls Public Library to hear Christie Schilling's unique perspective on the left's fictitious war on women, congressional family life, and the critical juncture in history at which we have arrived.  It is sure to be a fascinating conversation! We hope to see you there!   Wisconsin Recall Update Governor Scott Walker was elected by Wisconsin voters to clean up state government and fix their financial problems.  He did so by addressing public employee pensions and has become the target of unions across the nation because of his success.  He did what he promised to do and it worked beautifully!  Wisconsin has gone from a $4 billion deficit to a $300 million surplus.  Schools have not suffered as a result of his reforms as unions had alledged and now the unions want to make an example of him!  On Tuesday, Wisconsin residents headed to the polls to determine who will run against Walker in the June Recall Election.  Interesting fact:  even though he had no primary opponent on the ballot, Walker received more votes than BOTH democrat challengers combined!  It is critical that Governor Walker retain the Governership or public sector unions will use his defeat as an example of what they will do to any Governor with the nerve to stand up to them! Defend the Vote Election Integrity Initiative Learn how you can help defend the integrity of elections in Illinois.  Attend a Defend the Vote training seminar on May 25th.  More information available HERE 2012 True the Vote National Summit Details Whiteside County Planning and Zoning Hearing Tuesday, May 16th is likely to be the final hearing on the special use permit applications submitted by Mainstream for the turbines proposed for Whiteside County.  The meeting will begin at 7pm at the Rock Falls Community Building (between the police station and library).   My Two Cents We would love to hear your opinions on the hot topics of the day!  Email your comments to SaukValleyTeaParty@Live.com Please share your thoughts on: *Dixon Crundwell Embezzlement *Wind Farms in Lee, Ogle or Whiteside *Hillary Clinton Committing the US to the Small Arms Treaty  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Sauk Valley Tea Party, All rights reserved. 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