Debra Olson mercilessly attacks and distorts Dan Cronin’s record. Why? So we don’t look at what Debbie does in DuPage on the County Board. It’s time to set the record straight.
“I am committed to smaller, limited government, long-term fiscal responsibility, restraint, and accountability, and have the record to prove it.” – Debra Olson to the Chicago Tribune editors
THE FACTS:
Debbie Olson and the DuPage County Board blew though tens-of-millions of dollars they had pilfered from the DuPage County Water Commission. There has been no accounting of where that money went.
Debbie Olson has primary oversight of the Water Commission as head of the County Board Committee on Public Works.
While her opponents demand the dismissal the General Manager of the Water Commission, Debbie Olson wants to “study the issue.”
Debbie Olson promised to hold public hearings on the Water Commission before the end of 2009, no such meetings have occurred and none are scheduled.
DuPage County was required to borrow $30 million because of this “oversight” that occurred on Debbie Olson’s watch.
“As a County Board Member, I have consistently voted to hold the line on property taxes and spending, and our budgets are balanced every year.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010
THE FACTS:
In 2007, the DuPage County Board “Doomsday” budget showed tens-of-millions of dollars of deficit.
Debbie Olson did not, could not, and would not identify any budget cuts. Instead of showing leadership, she and other county officials went hat-in-hand to Springfield begging for a new revenue stream into county coffers.
Springfield responded with a one-quarter cent tax increase, much of which was paid for by NON-DuPage residents.
Now, Debbie Olson is attacking Springfield for providing the money. “We’ve all seen too much of Springfield-style government – overspending, overtaxing, playing politics and ignoring the real issues.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010.
You can’t have it both ways, Debbie. Your attacks are just more of the shift, shuffle and blame we are sick and tired of seeing from empty-suit politicians.
“This month [December 2009] DuPage County, where I have served for the last 8 years, had its AAA bond rating reaffirmed because the County Board has been fiscally responsible.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010
THE FACTS:
The 600-page 2010 budget, passed under the claimed leadership of Debbie Olson, is based on unrealistic budget assumptions. The current budget assumes sales tax revenues will significantly increase in 2010, in spite of the continued economic downturn and a state unemployment rate above the national average.
The 2010 budget assumes continued issuance of grants by Springfield despite the bloated and busted budget deficits in Springfield. There is no reason to believe these grants will be provided at levels equivalent to those from last year.
Even while knowing about the 2010 budget assumptions, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Debbie Olson said that she could probably find funds to spend more on human services in 2010, which would deplete any budget reserves that would be used in the event that revenue estimates are not achieved.
The budget contains no plan to find new or increased revenue streams.
The only budget cuts Debbie Olson has ever stated (again in the Chicago Tribune interview) has been for critical public safety employees like Jail Guards, Bailiffs, Sheriffs, Probation Officers and State’s Attorneys.
The budget contains no contingencies showing prioritized reductions that could be immediately implemented to achieve cost savings to cut spending if the revenue assumptions are not met.
Debbie Olson has never answered the simple question: “If you can’t or won’t identify any spending cuts, and you won’t vote for tax increases, how would YOU balance the budget.”
Any guesses why she won’t answer the question? Because she can’t.
“I have run a campaign on issues, I have nothing to hide, and my record is available for all to see online – my votes, my contributions, everything.” – Debra Olson, Illinois Review, 1/15/2010
THE FACTS:
Debbie Olson committed to posting all of her campaign contributions on her web site, saying in September 2009, “Because the reporting mechanisms are not yet in place, Olson is committing to putting all campaign contributions made to me [sic] since July 1, 2009 online on my [sic] campaign website within 5 business days of receipt.”
To date, neither Olson campaign web site lists any contributions whatsoever.
When challenged on her failure to live up to her self-imposed commitment, she is quoted as saying it is “too difficult” to do so.
For eight straight years and as of April 2009, as required by Illinois law, Olson filed a Statement of Economic Interest stating she had no business relationship with DuPage County. In October 2009, after declaring her intention to run for Chairman, she filed another statement saying she did actually do business with the County.
According to Illinois State Board of Election and DuPage County Board Records, Debbie Olson has received thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from vendors doing business with the county.
One of her campaign coordinators works for ARAMARK, a major vendor for DuPage County that is under the purview of a committee chaired by Olson. Olson claims to have returned all of the campaign contributions received from ARAMARK, however, the Illinois State Board of Elections shows un-returned campaign contributions from an ARAMARK vice president. ARAMARK was the recipient of a favorable ruling during the negotiations for a county food service contract.
“Politicians promising to be all things to all people are what gets government in trouble.” – Debra Olson, Daily Herald 1/4/2010
Agreed.
For my analysis on the DuPage County Board Chairman candidates:
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14 comments:
Your analysis is strong as usual...well done.
There may be other duplicitous aspects to Ms. Olson far beyond politics. See:
http://republicansforfamilyvalues.com/2010/01/26/breaking-debra-olson-candidate-for-dupage-county-board-chairman-involved-in-two-adulterous-affairs/
That link contains explosive accusations, which if true, are devastating for all involved, especially the children. My sincerest condolences go out to Mr. and Mrs. Allen and their children, and the Olson family for their pain and suffering.
Heard chirping about how ugly this all is for Deb Olson, and how unfair. So, I have been waiting for her to respond...she hasn't. Still. The writer of the blog (attached) clearly stands by his story. Interesting, no?
http://republicansforfamilyvalues.com/
I am hearing folks linking that article to me and the Cronin campaign. I know I didn't have anything to do with it and I am sure nobody in the Cronin campaign had anything to do with it. The false claims linking me and Cronin are just as bad as the claims with that article, if they too are false.
What gossip are you hearing? Other than what I deduce from her absence at the Wayne Township meeting last night, the only thing I see are on the blogs.
Great writing, as usual, Cincy, but some of your facts are twisted.Just a few comments regarding your points against Mrs. Olson..
1)ALL of the donations you refer to are dated prior to her forwarding of ethics reform. She never said she hadn't taken money from county vendors or contractors, but that she wouldn't. And if you look at the dates, she hasn't.
2)You missed the "ara"mark! Debra voted for Aramark's competitor. Also, Erin Vaughn (sp?) did not begin work with Debra until she had left Aramark.
3)Water Commission $$$. This commission was formed by legislation supported by Dan Cronin. They are a separate entity from the County Board, and are solely responsible for monitoring their own funds.
4)Her electrical business has never done any gov't work. Her company is far too small to even consider county contracts.
Olson provided a revised ethics statement saying her company does business with the county.
ARAMARK received an unusually, almost unprecedented. favorable ruling which allowed it to bid on a contract already won by another vendor. Olson received contemporaneous campaign contributions. Some of those contributions have not been returned as she recently stated, according to Illinois State Board of Elections record. Erin Vaughan was a vice president of ARAMARK, and now works on the Olson campaign.
The oversight of the Water Commission is provided by the County Board Committee of Public Works. Olson is the Chairman of that committee.
The word duplicitous may be an understatement when attempting to descibe the magnitude of Debbie Olson's deceptive public service record. She apparently learned the double life sleight of hand very early in life and has perfected it over time. It's become a way of life for her, whether dealing with public issues, political opponents, conduct during a political campaign, sexual paramours and even her family. As her double life continues to be exposed the voters should understand she is not fit for any public office. She needs to be resoundly defeated for the Dupage Couny Board Chair spot. After February 2 the public must demand her resignation from the Dupage County Board. Is anyone else out there concerned that public policy in Dupage County is being conducted based on sexual favors?
You said more than once that the public works committee has oversight of the water commission. Please provide some sort of citation on this. I am fairly familiar with this issue and have never seen anywhere that there is oversight authority. The county board chair appoints half the water board members, but they don't approve their budget, levy or anything else. They are a major customer, but so is Woodridge.
My information was out of date. You are correct, the Public Works committee no longer provides oversight of the Water Commission.
HOWEVER, Mrs. Olson was on the County Board and spent the money that was raided from the Water Commission fund. Mrs. Olson cannot explain why the County Board ran a huge deficit that required the raid on the Water Commission fund, and cannot explain what the raided money was used for.
I stand corrected.
Cincinnatus’ commentary reads like a page out of the Cronin play book. I guess he/she isn’t the credible source he/she claims to be. Cincinnatus ought to do his/her homework and check the facts…
"Debbie Olson and the DuPage County Board blew though tens-of-millions of dollars they had pilfered from the DuPage County Water Commission. There has been no accounting of where that money went."
The money went into the general fund of the county budget. It was not put into a special fund, but into the corporate fund, which helped pay for law enforcement needs at the time.
"Debbie Olson has primary oversight of the Water Commission as head of the County Board Committee on Public Works."
The Public Works Committee does NOT have any authority over the Water Commission. There are twelve commissioners on the Water Commission - six representatives appointed by the County Board Chairman with advice and consent of the County Board, and six mayors appointed by the municipal members of the Water Commission. http://www.dpwc.org/AboutUs/History/tabid/100/Default.aspx
The DuPage County Board does not have any authority over the funds of the Water Commission, which is exactly why Dan Cronin had to author the legislation to allow $15 million of Water Commission funds to be given to the County annually for 5 years. Anyone who reads the DuPage County Board Rules and the charter of the Water Commission can see that the DuPage County Department of Public Works has NO oversight of the Water Commission.
"While her opponents demand the dismissal the General Manager of the Water Commission, Debbie Olson wants to “study the issue.”"
Olson was the first to say in an interview with the Daily Herald editorial board that the executive director should be fired, that new controls should be put into place for greater accountability, and anyone else implicated in wrongdoing should also be removed. Her opponents vacillated on their responses.
"Debbie Olson promised to hold public hearings on the Water Commission before the end of 2009, no such meetings have occurred and none are scheduled."
An ongoing investigation by the Water Commission has precluded any hearings. The investigation is scheduled to be concluded by the end of January, and the report to the Water Commission Board mid-February. Again, anyone who really is interested in the facts can go online to the Water Commission website and see the minutes and progress of the investigation.
"DuPage County was required to borrow $30 million because of this “oversight” that occurred on Debbie Olson’s watch."
The County hasn’t borrowed money. The DuPage County Water Commission borrowed money by vote of the Water Commission board. The County Board has had no vote and no authority over those votes.
Just a little more here...
"Debbie Olson did not, could not, and would not identify any budget cuts. Instead of showing leadership, she and other county officials went hat-in-hand to Springfield begging for a new revenue stream into county coffers."
Olson did NOT go to Springfield, Chairman Schillerstrom went to Springfield, without the advice and consent of the County Board (because he is not required by the Rules to ask for it), to ask DuPage legislators to vote in favor of the RTA bill and add the quarter-cent tax. Dan Cronin, Kirk Dillard, and John Millner were the only Republicans on either the House or Senate side to vote in favor of the legislation. Olson and many other board members were NOT in favor of the tax, and were prepared to do the hard work of making cuts.
"The 600-page 2010 budget, passed under the claimed leadership of Debbie Olson, is based on unrealistic budget assumptions. The current budget assumes sales tax revenues will significantly increase in 2010, in spite of the continued economic downturn and a state unemployment rate above the national average."
Olson, along with other board members, agreed with the Civic Federation Report that the assumptions are too aggressive. That is why Olson and others have refused to pass a resolution to bond for projects until the revenue assumptions can be verified, which is unlikely. The dollars allocated to the bond issue are the safety net, along with a separate $5million cash reserve fund above and beyond the $40million general cash reserve fund, and can only be spent with the super-majority vote of the board. So safeguards were put in place in case revenue projections aren’t met.
"The 2010 budget assumes continued issuance of grants by Springfield despite the bloated and busted budget deficits in Springfield. There is no reason to believe these grants will be provided at levels equivalent to those from last year."
If the State grant dollars do not come in, the County will not be funding those programs. That has been consistently stated by numerous board members, including Olson.
"Even while knowing about the 2010 budget assumptions, in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Debbie Olson said that she could probably find funds to spend more on human services in 2010, which would deplete any budget reserves that would be used in the event that revenue estimates are not achieved."
Olson did not say she would find more funds to spend on Human Service programs. She said she would not look first to Human Services for cuts. Again, Cincinnatus didn’t do his homework, and takes comments out of context. Watch the Chicago Tribune video for yourself, folks.
"The budget contains no plan to find new or increased revenue streams."
True enough – you’ve heard of the TEA Parties, haven’t you, Cincinnatus? People are SICK of “new revenue streams” aka NEW TAXES. I applaud Olson for her stand on that.
As I corrected in another post somewhere, I agree that the primary oversight of the Water Commission was removed from the County Board. That does not mean that the money taken from the Water Commission was not used to fill obligations of the County Board who would not recommend the necessary cuts to the budget to fulfill their obligations. The County Board did decrease the 2010 budget by $30 million, the same amount that the County Board's (with Mrs. Olson on it) budget INCREASED from 2006-2009.
In the Tribune interview, three candidates embraced firing of the Water Commission GM. One did not. To the video tape folks.
If the money did not need to be programmed to the County Board which was unable to fulfill its obligations, there would have been no need to borrow any money.
If they were prepared to make cuts, what stopped them? It's like the Seinfeld episode, "They know how to take the reservation, they just know know how to keep the reservation."
Finally, if government bodies would live within their means, there would be no reason to find new revenue streams. The County Board (along with Mrs. Olson) did not execute the required FISCAL discipline to obviate tax increases. When they couldn't/wouldn't make the spending cuts they should have, Cronin stepped in to fill the deficits with consumption-based taxes, eliminating the need to increase PROPERTY taxes that would have hit us all. The consumption-type taxes are at least paid in large part by NON-DuPage residents, instead of ALL of the revenue coming out of DuPage citizens' hides. IT'S SPENDING that is the problem, the taxes are the tail being wagged by the spending dog. You cannot blame Cronin for the spending. Period.
Mrs. Olson took campaign contributions from DuPage Vendors. The Factor can confirm it. When she decided to run for Chairman she shut them off (although I can still find some on her D-2's from the State). I call this "convenient" when I see this behavior in a politician. They say whatever they need to at a given moment.
I have said all along, Mrs. Olson is not what she appears to be.
Correction: DuPage Water Commission is not overseen by DuPage County Public Works.
Anon,
See my earlier reply where I correct that statement. The question still needs to be asked, why did the DuPage County board need the money, and where was it spent. The County Board's fiscal irresponsibility should not be laid on Cronin's lap when he filled the County Board's deficit, at DuPage County official's request. He did so in a manner (a consumption-type tax only on those using specific goods or services), otherwise the County Board would have had to have a draconian property tax increase. We should ask Mrs. Olson how it happened, and where is the accounting for the monies spent.
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