North Suburban Republican Forum

By gsburt

Just in case you think I’m exaggerating about the culture of corruption within Adams County government, take a look at the following comment left by a businesses owner that stumbled across my website recently. 

Kevin Raines on July 10, 2010 at 7:46 am (Edit)

I don’t know who you are, but this site is a great idea. Adams County needs to eliminate its current “leadership” and get in some commissioners and a county manager who will stop the corruption instead of supporting it and hiding it. Based on my experience, the current batch cares a lot more about protecting their own jobs than looking out for the people of Adams County.

Are you aware of the scandal regarding the community needs assessment? Elizabeth Groginsky, a (now former) county employee, made several attempts to stop the award of the needs assessment contract to the most qualified firm, which had been identified by a legitimate selection committee. She managed to stop the award, took over the process, and then created a new “selection committee” consisting of only her own employees. They then unanimously selected a grantwriting firm that had a previous sole-source relationship with her department, and which could not even correctly name the largest cities in the county in their proposal. Any legitimate researcher would shred the resulting “study”, and they know it. I don’t think the County even did a public presentation of the “results”. It was a huge waste and misdirection of taxpayer money.

Jim Robinson has refused to address the issue and has merely hidden in his office and feigned ignorance, just like he did with the Asay scandal and the Gomez scandal and the recent construction bidding scandal. He should not be holding a position of leadership and should not be in that job. John Ferrugia is the only reason most of the existing scandals have been revealed.

The County Commissioners have also ignored several meeting requests to resolve this issue, even Alice Nichol, whose district was almost completely omitted from what was supposed to be a countywide assessment. She was warned about this in writing as soon as the contract was redirected away from the qualified firm, but as far as I know, she has never questioned why her district was given short shrift. Does she not care? Does she not read her e-mail? I’m genuinely curious why she hasn’t thrown a fit about this, because a true leader would have stood up for her constituents.

And someone should ask about the $50,000 payment they authorized to Elizabeth’s (now former) boss, Barbara Desmarteau, with Larry Pace’s fingerprints on it. Jim Robinson is covering it up, but the real story is known. Robinson’s behavior is disgraceful on this issue, and if he’s not lying to the county commissioners, their behavior is disgraceful, too.

I have many documents I would be willing to share. My firm was the firm that was deemed most qualified for the project, so I have made many open records act requests to seek justice and I have attempted many times to meet with Robinson and the commissioners, only to be ignored. As a result, I am working to ensure that Jim Robinson is replaced, and if the County commissioners are protecting him then I’ll work to replace them, too. If anyone running against the current commissioners would like to peruse my documents, I’d be glad to share them. All I ask is that you fire Jim Robinson when you’re elected.

The County deserves better than it’s getting right now.

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