Curmudgeon's Corner

Village Buzz - December 17th

Posted by Al Campbell on Dec. 17, 2009

Village Buzz, Village Board, Political, Police, Germantown

Rambo In G'town:

The new canine officer, approved by the Village Board recently, should be here in April, 2010, and his name is Rambo.  He will be teamed with Lt. Dave Huesemann.  Rambo is now 14 months old and will be supported by community contributions.  The Board was assured that there would be no 'overtime' comp issues since Lt. Huesemann is not paid for any overtime hours worked.  The Board also insisted that a monthly report of Rambo's activities be rendered.

Unfunded Liabilities:

Village Finance Director Kim Rath confirmed that there are only very limited 'unfunded' liabilities.  That centers on the loan from one village fund to another to pay a $190,000 requirement to the state pension fund.  That loan is being paid back using a 'pay as you go' funding approach from the regular village budget and will be retired within four years.  The village does not engage in providing benefits to former employees after they retire other than for pension benefits that are funded as part of the regular budget, unlike school districts with their provisions for covering retired teachers' (and certain others') health care costs between retirement and eligibility for Medicare.

School district Business Manager Ric Ericksen advised me that he will share his report on the school district's situation after that information is provided to the district's Finance Committee early next week.  We'll report on those details then.

Candidacies:

The Village Clerk's office advised that Charlie Hargan has returned his paperwork to file as a candidate for the Village President race.

Two others have received the paperwork packages in order to potentially file as candidates.  Those people are Roger Lemanczyk and Tom Kempinski (incumbent).  Neither had returned the paperwork as of yesterday.  While Kempinski has received the necessary papers, he also may still indicate by December 28th that he has decided not to run for re-election according to state law.

Investigations/Inquiries:

I am hearing of as many as five separate inquiries or investigations that are ongoing, one of which could lead to litigation.  I am certain of one because I was invited to be interviewed by a suburban police department handing that situation.  From what I am discerning, some of these could be classified simply as 'internecine' squabbles within the board.