"You Reap What You Sow" Edition

"You Reap What You Sow"
Or
"Vince & Rod...Separated at Birth?"

An Electronic Newsletter – With Highwood News, Information & Entertainment
February 18, 2009
*****************************************************************************************
Introduction

Is It Worth the Pain?
Until this week, I hadn't put out an FTC since last May. Part of it was sheer frustration. I would start one, but there were so many ridiculous bumblings by the Mayor's Administration, that it was out of date before I finished, so I would start a new one, etc. etc. etc.

Also, I became very busy with life and work. So having devoted a good part of my adult life to Highwood (The Little City That Could), I took a break. I figured someone else would take up the cause of saving Highwood from the ridicule of Vince's administration.

After sending out the recent FTC, I remembered the warm glow of satisfaction in a job well done...but I also remembered the pain and work. I had to field about 50 congratulatory calls and e-mails. I got about a dozen "please add me to your list" e-mails...and I can't forget Angelo Biondi, who insisted on being removed...Hi Angelo...I'm sure that you are reading this cause it got forwarded by someone...but, you have the satisfaction of demanding to be removed...good for you! Ignorance is bliss!

But, no pain no gain!

Stopping FTC...What a mistake. Cheney was wrong, the Iraqi's didn't rise up. I was wrong, neither did the oppressed Highwood citizens and businesses. They are afraid and worn out.

And if some poor straggler decided to rise up, the Vince rumor mill quickly started. (Did you hear the one about the female alderman that "intimidated" the burly fire chief, the experienced police chief, and the public works director? They were so terrified, that she had to be "censured" to stop her reign of terror!) And if you believe that "testosterone trio" was intimidated, rather than a political ploy by Vince to silence his opposition, I have a carburetor that gets 300 mpg.

Signs, Signs Everywhere the Signs
Well Vince said he was running for only one term. So, since he has less veracity than Rod Blagojevich, he is running again...Imagine that. You know what that means:
The screaming chimps are starting to come to the meetings;
The thugs are twisting the arms of businesses to put up "Donofrio" signs;
The out of town landlords are ponying up donations;
You might even get a City Newsletter again!
And you can bet that Vince will try to get something accomplished before the election. Accomplishing one thing in four years isn't bad...if you are curing cancer...but it's real bad for a City.

Oh...I'm sorry...I forgot the accomplishment trumpeted by the HP News in its "year end review"...getting the Highwood Towers approved. That is if you forget that:
Highwood's people didn't want the Towers;
Any improvement on the design was due solely to the grass root movement spearheaded by FTC;
It never got built...and never will be built;
Its a weed field; and
Vince agreed to let them lower their taxes...so it can stay a weed field.
Speaking of Lowering Taxes
In the past, I have announced that I would not accept "anonymous" contributions for publication. Well this week I got an anonymous e-mail (I was one of many recipients) regarding the Mayor's sweetheart deal on his Real Estate Taxes. I checked it out, it is 100% true. Seems that Vince got the taxes on his home reduced to under $2,000 per year!

Imagine that...a nice house on the North Shore with a $2,000 tax bill. No wonder he didn't care about the 20% tax increase he was pushing.
Donofrio Abode - 239 Sheridan Avenue

And don't forget, Vince started collecting his $12,000.00 per year salary only a few months after he said he WOULD NOT TAKE A SALARY. (Just like Rod "This is Golden" Blagojevich) But better than that, he even has the City paying withholding on that...SWEET!

"Vince, you take that tax break and the salary...its golden!"

And don't forget that the Mayor couldn't get anything done, couldn't keep appointments, so he hired a City Manager at a cost of over $100,000 to do his job for him. After all, spreading all those rumors is really time consuming.

BTW...your Real Estate taxes are going to pay for Vince's salary and wasteful spending. How does that feel?

So, what are your taxes? Let me give you a comparison. Remember the prior mayor? His house has a smaller footprint. He has been paying $5,500 plus during the same time Vince paid less than $2,000 per year.

Of course, Vince was chummy with the assessor...hmm?

So, what follows is the e-mail I received (slightly edited for context), after that is my response to someone that thought I sent it out.

Enjoy This...You Too Rod... I mean, Vince!

Rod Carrying Vince's Booty!
***********************************************************************************
REPRINTED

We understand from family and friends who attended Sunday's campaign kick-off rally for the Donofrio ticket that he and his supporters were spreading a number of untrue rumors about anyone opposed to them. Well, you should know some facts about your current Mayor.Honest Highwood residents pay their fair share of real estate taxes. Do you want a mayor who has not done so for many of the last several years? Those of us who are concerned about the state of affairs in Highwood certainly do not want a mayor like that.

Look at the taxes paid by Mayor Donofrio for the last few years. Apparently the assessor in 2001 or 2003 granted him a value that was way less than it should have been. Was that kosher? We don't know. But at the very least, the mayor was happy to take advantage of that for six years!

It is no wonder that the mayor was in favor of a twenty percent increase of the city tax levy in 2006. That was his nasty gift to everyone who voted for home rule. It was later reduced after a citizen outcry but it originally passed as 20 percent. Then he was in favor of another 20 percent increase the next year! Much more than the home rule promises the Mayor made. I guess that those massive tax increases are much easier to take when your home is grossly under assessed.

Donofrio Tax Bill History
Year Amount Billed
1996 $3,041.74
1997 $3,205.74
1998 $3,288.64
1999 $3,476.58
2000 $3,655.46
2001 $2,145.13
2002 $2,204.01
2003 $1,931.93
2004 $1,984.75
2005 $2,252.19
2006 $2,421.48
2007 $5,270.39

Now what happened last December? Well, the mayor's assessment doubled. But remember there was an election coming up in five months. So now the mayor plays good guy and keeps the tax levy constant. Thanks Mr. Donofrio. But people have to question his real motivation.

Here is the information, look it up yourself
VINCENT J & ANGELA M DONOFRIO
Pin: 16-15-209-004
Street Address: 239 SHERIDAN AVE
City: HIGHWOOD, IL

There is also a Donofrio alderman who had the same deal going for himself. But that is for next time.

PS: sorry for the unidentified name on the email but while the current administration and aldermen are in place we fear punishment for this.
===================================================================================
********************************************************************************************************

Fan Mail From Some Flounder?
REPRINTED FROM A FAN: Paul, Looks like somebody is using what appears to be the FTC mail list. Interesting. Good digging, and pertinent. Name Withheld

*********************************************************************************************************** Dear Fan, As Johnny Carson (Karnak the Magnificent) said to Ed McMahon...You are wrong camel breath! As I told others (who also mistakenly thought I was the author):
That is not the FTC list, the FTC list is well over a thousand names (and I wouldn't publicize it);
That is the e-mail list from when the City sends out agendas. It looks like somebody just used the list from the City. In fact if you scroll down, you will notice it is a "Reply All" to the City e-mail distributing the Agenda!
I would not send anything out anonymously. Having been the subject of the anonymous attack press, I have stated in my FTC's that I am proud to be accurate, proud to distribute FTC, and proud to claim credit/responsibility. I will not participate in the anonymous (and false) character assassination, that is indigenous to Highwood;
I have my guess as to who distributed the note. I have been privy to the info for months, but chose not to use it.

Pretty bad intelligence from somebody who worked for M-5, UNCLE or NSA (just kidding). In parting, "May the fleas of a thousand camels...." Pablo

********************************************************************************************So, there it is. That's why you are tired, and that's why Vince is running again. You pay for the bills, and Vince lines his pocket. Tax breaks for himself, favors for his buddies and punishment for those who oppose.

Get out and vote in April. Remember four votes got you this mess last time around.

"Fool Me Once...Shame On You
Fool Me Twice...Shame On Me"
****************************************************************************************
The views expressed in this newsletter are my own opinions, and may not represent the views of anyone else. Factual corrections will be appreciated and reported. This letter may be informative, interesting, cynical, humorous, and/or irritating depending upon one's point of view.
************************************************************************************************************ ************************************************************************************************************
Trying to preserve Highwood for the next City Council, through your involvement today!
Thank you for your interest.
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
FROM THE CORNER (FTC)
Paul P. Diambri
Writer, Editor, Psychic, Detective, Photographer, Columnist, Reviewer,
Reporter, Janitor, Messenger, Owner & Chairman of the Board