Vicenik and Yarbrough use taxpayer resources for political work
West Suburban Journal-News (L. Nicole Trottie with Kevin Williams contributing) covers the criticism Broadview Village President Henry Vicenik took over letting Rep. Karen Yarbrough and U.S. Rep Danny Davis use a village-owned property rent free.
Having a village subsidize constituent services is at least an unusual arrangement. And unusual arrangements need more specific contracts. And contracts need to be approved by the governing boards, or they formally delegate this power.
Broadview has been in financial trouble for years. Why wouldn't it ask its tenants to pay for using village property?
IMO, Yarbrough and Vicenik are in some legal trouble, or should be, for using public resources for political activities. I assumed that Yarbrough and her organization were paying rent and that there was a contract which separated the political portion of the premises from the government part of the premises. I'm pretty sure my assumption was based on this being claimed or implied by Yarbrough. Maybe I'm misremembering.
If Yarbrough and Vicenik knew that the space was provided gratis by the Village of Broadview they both know that there should be no political activity being done there. I made a formal complaint to the Cook County State's Attorney against Eugene Moore and District 209 for a comparatively minor transgression.
h/t Proviso Insider
BTW, there is something of a back story to Trottie's interest in this building. Trottie sought to acquire use of the property for free from Vicenik. Trottie mentioned the arrangement to Yarbrough. Apparently Vicenik decided it was more advantageous to him to give the property to Yarbrough and Davis than to Trottie's newspaper which was brand new at the time.
However, whether Trottie has an ax to grind with Vicenik and Yarbrough over this property, it doesn't mitigate the wrongdoing by Vicenik and Yarbrough.
Vicenik said the board’s decision to offer the space rent free was never a board agenda item....
Vicenik counters, the decision by the board is justified as providing a service to Broadview residents.
“I thought it would be good for the village and residents to have a state representative and congressman here as a resource for the people of Broadview,” Vicenik said Tuesday.
Having a village subsidize constituent services is at least an unusual arrangement. And unusual arrangements need more specific contracts. And contracts need to be approved by the governing boards, or they formally delegate this power.
Broadview has been in financial trouble for years. Why wouldn't it ask its tenants to pay for using village property?
IMO, Yarbrough and Vicenik are in some legal trouble, or should be, for using public resources for political activities. I assumed that Yarbrough and her organization were paying rent and that there was a contract which separated the political portion of the premises from the government part of the premises. I'm pretty sure my assumption was based on this being claimed or implied by Yarbrough. Maybe I'm misremembering.
If Yarbrough and Vicenik knew that the space was provided gratis by the Village of Broadview they both know that there should be no political activity being done there. I made a formal complaint to the Cook County State's Attorney against Eugene Moore and District 209 for a comparatively minor transgression.
h/t Proviso Insider
BTW, there is something of a back story to Trottie's interest in this building. Trottie sought to acquire use of the property for free from Vicenik. Trottie mentioned the arrangement to Yarbrough. Apparently Vicenik decided it was more advantageous to him to give the property to Yarbrough and Davis than to Trottie's newspaper which was brand new at the time.
However, whether Trottie has an ax to grind with Vicenik and Yarbrough over this property, it doesn't mitigate the wrongdoing by Vicenik and Yarbrough.
Labels: Danny Davis, Henry Vicenik, Karen Yarbrough, Nicole Trottie, West Suburban Journal
posted by Carl Nyberg at
11:59 AM
15 Comments:
I hear a formal complaint was made against the three stooges to the state's attorney and FBI.
What's the point in bringing up Trottie? That doesn't take away from the facts idiot. If there is truth to your version of facts Carl, kudos to Trottie, who didn't take revenge into her own hands, justice is sweet!
By
Anonymous, at 2:25 PM, February 01, 2008
I'm sure Vicenik is rethinking his "better use of space" decision.
After he gave the space to Yarbrough, didn't she support his opposition? Henry will learn sooner or later that Yarbrough is a menace to Proviso and everything in her path. Your "back story" doesn't line up. After Yarbrough moved in the space Trottie in 2006 supported her re-election against Welch and endorsed her for committeeman. Apparenty there was no ill will. You should check your facts Nyberg instead of reporting on gumption and hearsay.
By
Anonymous, at 2:53 PM, February 01, 2008
Trottie was the one who complained to me about Yarbrough snorking the property out from under her. It didn't seem like a big deal to me at the time, but I didn't realize it was rent free.
Vicenik did offer Trottie another rent free location, but Trottie didn't use it, IIRC.
Trottie did support Yarbrough over Welch. However, this doesn't prove Trottie wasn't still pissed about the 2301 Roosevelt property. She was more pissed at Welch stemming from the time Welch and Trottie were dating.
I try not to drag personal lives into stories. But in this case it's pretty essential to understanding Trottie's motives.
This isn't second hand stuff. I used to write for Trottie's paper and during that time we spent significant amounts of time discussing Welch.
Trottie even engineered she, Welch, Eugene Moore and I meeting at a restaurant by accident.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 3:18 PM, February 01, 2008
I doubt Trottie speaks to you let alone confides in you. In my conversation with Trottie, she doesn't recall your alleged conversation. Perhaps it's the voices in your head Nyberg.
By
Anonymous, at 8:16 AM, February 02, 2008
Vicenik wasn't the only fooled by our "good State Rep Yarbrough". It would have been a great deal for Broadview if Yarbrough would have brought some tax dollars back like she does for Maywood!! It's time to boot her back stabbing ass out or pay rent. I would rather have the rent! So somebody else realize that she was backing the opposition in the last election. Doesn't one of the new trustee work for Congressman Davis who just happens to have a office space their too???????????
By
Anonymous, at 8:39 AM, February 02, 2008
Judy Brown-Marino says there will be coverage of this in this week's West-View News.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 11:24 AM, February 02, 2008
I know Trottie doesn't have a motive. I asked her. I can't say the same for you. She will not give you the pleasure of communication.
Regarding Yarbrough and Davis' shenanigans, the facts are the facts, whether fueled by ill-will or not, that doesn't change the facts.
Most, Proviso political dinasours, like myself, know that Yarbrough doesn't come out of the pocket, yet always has her hand out. Her treatment of people who have helped her along, in some capacity or another, is poor to say the least, and a reflection of her past school board election super defeat.
Ironicially, it seems the same spite Yarbrough used Trottie for against Welch is a double edge sword, huh? With regard to Trottie and Welch's past and present relationship, only the two of them know the details. I understand they are quite cozy.
Ms. Trottie does acknowledge a breakfast with you (Nyberg) some years ago.
The meeting, where you "coincidentally" ran into Gene Moore and Chris Welch at the Marque Restaurant, was to discuss your further involvement with the paper.
Trottie tells me she shot the idea straight to hell, which is where she and her paper would have ended up under your influence. Point-and-case: Welch's triumphant law suit against you last year. IMO, Welch should have followed through.
Let the games begin. I'll put my money on Trottie.
By
Anonymous, at 11:25 AM, February 02, 2008
What did Welch succeed in getting out of his "triumphant law suit"?
The only point Welch triumphed on was not being sanctioned by the judge for filing a law suit without merit.
And she bailed him out on an exceedingly narrow point, one which Welch didn't even argue himself.
By
Carl Nyberg, at 11:34 AM, February 02, 2008
Judy Brown-Marino is sleep at the wheel. The West Suburban Journal has a team in place the will run editorial circles around West View and Proviso Herald, Yarbrough's flagship paper. Pleeeez.
By
Anonymous, at 11:41 AM, February 02, 2008
Welch didn't have to argue. The deed was done. Kind of like Daley's endorsement of Smith; quid pro quo.
Carl, do you not yet realize that you are playing in the major leagues??? That's rhetorical.
By
Anonymous, at 11:47 AM, February 02, 2008
Carl, I don't see where Trottie has motive. However, I do see where she has a responsibiity to report corrupt happenings in Proviso.
She is doing one heck of a job, given the beginnings of the once lean paper.
She reports news from the Forest Park Review on happenings that deal with Proviso East, Chris Welch and Gene Moore. It's only fair that she pay Yarbrough and Davis the same attention and service.
Nicole's report on the incident of Yarbrough and Davis' scott-free use of a Broadview owned building, that was allegedly promised by Vicencik to Trottie, is sweet justice for Trottie if you ask me.
Funny how justice has its way. The pen is mightier than the sword.
By
Anonymous, at 5:00 PM, February 02, 2008
What a classic Doolin arrangement, slimball the plan and then sneak away
By
Anonymous, at 5:18 PM, February 02, 2008
Correction, Yarbrough used taxpayer resources for political work behind Vicenik's and taxpayers backs.
By
Anonymous, at 7:35 PM, February 03, 2008
Oh ya..and how many thousand dollars did Broadview spend to remodel the bathrooms in that building with village money, money that should have gone for salaries of the employees that they laid off.
By
Anonymous, at 1:35 AM, February 07, 2008
Let's hear it for Yarbrough's flagship paper the Herald, and their endorsement of Eugene "Gene" Moore.
God, Karen, it must suck to have NO friends and allies.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, I haven't stopped laughing since Super Tuesday and Smith and Karen's ass whoopin!!!
By
Anonymous, at 6:05 PM, February 08, 2008
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