County News
www.oglecountynews.com
Ogle County Newspapers, Thursday, February 20, 2014, Page A7
Committee recommends for some tow fund changes By Matt Mencarnini Sauk Valley Media Ogle County took a step toward adding restrictions on the sheriff’s department’s administrative tow fund during a committee meeting Feb. 11. The Ogle County Executive Committee approved limitations to what the sheriff could use that fund for, adding and removing language to a single paragraph of the ordinance that was passed in 2011. The changes were made during the committee’s regular meeting last Tuesday night and have to be approved by the full county board. After the meeting, Ogle County Chairman Kim Gouker said another
ordinance will have to be passed, likely next month, which will set the specific sources of revenue for the tow fund. Gouker said an ordinance of that nature should have been passed in 2011. In December, Sauk Valley Media reported on the tow fund, which isn’t listed on the county’s budget but is audited, and the expenses Ogle County Sheriff Michael Harn was using it for, which included purchasing a new vehicle, flowers for Secretaries Day, a tent at the county fair and $4,000 for the department’s Facebook page to be managed. On Feb. 8, Sauk Valley Media reported that about $70,000 – nearly one third of the $210,000 deposited
into the tow fund account – came from sources other than administrative tow fees. The wide variety in expendures, according to the original language of the ordinance, were allowed because the funds could be used “at the discretion of the sheriff for law enforcement related activities including the purchase or maintenance of police vehicles equipment or training.” Gouker told Sauk Valley Media that the tow fund was set up “fairly loosely” in 2011, and it was the sheriff’s idea to make changes because of the controversy surrounding the fund. Those changes were discussed during the County Security Committee meeting earlier Tuesday, Gouker said,
adding that the new language refers to a “tow fund” for the first time. Harn wasn’t present during the Feb. 11 Executive Committee meeting. With the revised ordinance, the sheriff can still use the funds at his discretion, but they must be used for “law enforcement related activities limited to the purchase, repair or maintenance of police vehicles, vehicle equipment or fuel.” During the meeting, board member Patricia Nordman made a motion to add the word “vehicle” before the word “equipment.” The motion was unanimously approved, as was the revised ordinance. The sheriff will still be allowed to purchase vehicles
from the tow fund, but, according to the reworded ordinance, “shall be done only with the advice and consent” of the county board that oversees the sheriff’s department’s budget. Additionally, the sheriff will make monthly reports to that overseeing committee, which is currently called the County Security Committee, about the expenditures from the tow fund.
Forensic audit The Ogle County Finance, Insurance and Personnel Committee met before the Executive Committee last Tuesday night. During that meeting, a possible forensic audit of the sheriff’s department expenses was discussed.
Board member Richard Petrizzo called for a forensic audit of all spending by the sheriff’s department, according to a report by Ogle County News, during the Jan. 21 county board meeting. Petrizzo pushed for the forensic audit again Tuesday night, but no action was taken, as the committee decided to wait until the results of the annual audit were received. Those results could be released in April, Gouker said, with the possibility of department heads seeing some information in the middle of March. Committee members said they would support a forensic audit, if the auditors brought back evidence that the tow fund was being used fraudulently.
Day of Dabbling is set for March 22
Bowling Party Members of Circle M 4-H Club, Mt. Morris, recently went bowling. Pictured left to right in the front row are: Edwin Estrada, Kyle Miller, Emmett Peterson, Zacary Garrett, Aidan Peck. Back row: Karli Miller, Evan Kosick, Trevor Nelson, James Taylor, Megan Garrett, Valeria Viteri-Pflucker. Photo supplied
Ogle County is holding its annual 4-H Day of Dabbling on Saturday, March 22 at the Church of God, Oregon. It is open to youth, ages 5 -15 years old, and will consist of 18 hands-on youth workshops. Participants may select workshops to fill each of three class periods: 9 to 9:50 a.m., 10 to 10:50 a.m., and 11 to 11:50 a.m.. Registration is from 8:40 to 9 a.m. Pre-registration of all classes is required by Monday, March 17. Adult and older youth volunteers are teaching all the classes for 4-H Day of Dabbling. A general registration fee of $9 for 4H members or $15 for non-members will be
collected at the door. Some classes do require additional fees. Classes address the following areas for 4-H Day of Dabbling: visual arts, cooking, natural resources, public presentations, robotics, felting, cats, science, and more. Complete class descriptions and registration materials are available in the Ogle County Extension Office, 421 W. Pines Road, Suite 10, Oregon. Information is also available by calling the office at 815-732-2191 or online at http://web.extension.uiuc. edu/bdo. U of I Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
Rock would like to retain a strong attorney team From A1 Rock has worked in every position. “I can mentor the attorneys in the office and I think the State’s Attorney needs to know how everything is run,” said Rock. “I feel I am uniquely qualified for the position with my experience as a private practice attorney and time in this office.” Experience is required because crimes can occur anywhere, he said. “People may not realize it, but we have every single type of crime in Ogle County,” Rock said. “It is critical to have experience in
the position.” If retained, Rock would like to continue hiring the best attorneys with experience to work in the State’s Attorney’s Office. “We need to continue having affective attorneys prosecuting every case and seeking the proper penalties for repeat offenders,” Rock Said. For first time offenders diversion programs are in place to keep them out of the jail system. “We have a drug court for juveniles and adults,” Rock said. “I would like to see a veterans court implemented. We need to help our
veterans.” The diversion programs allow non violent offenders the opportunity for alternative sentencing including drug rehab programs to avoid jail sentences. A judge may issue the sentence for jail time with rehab programs. If the rehab is successfully completed the jail time is waived. However, if the terms of the rehab are violated the person may have to serve the jail time. “These diversion programs are super,” Rock said. With numerous drug cases in Ogle County, Rock said the diversion programs have helped many first time
offenders. Rock said his first trial was against a drug dealer with cocaine. The cocaine was in the female driver’s purse. He said the office could have taken the easy way out and charged the driver, but they worked on the case and successfully charged the drug dealer. “It is important to prosecute the bad guy,” said Rock. “Sometimes you have to determine who the bad guy is. Just prosecuting the driver would have been the easy way out.” In other cases it can be difficult to decide what criminal charges are
appropriate for the case. “We have spent time with the victims and families of crimes and talk with them about our decisions on whether to charge in a case,” said Rock. “Our duty is to seek justice and you have to be willing to make tough decisions.” Rock said in some cases, the evidence may not support a criminal felony charge and these cases may be difficult for the public to understand why a suspect is not charged after an investigation. Upholding the law and putting personal opinions aside is critical for any attorney, Rock said.
“It is very important for the public to know that nothing improper occurs during court proceedings,” said Rock. “We will bring in a special prosecutor or agency to help.” He said this can occur if a public official or prominent resident is charged with a crime. It also can occur because part of the duties of the State’s Attorney is to be the attorney for the county including the county board. “If I am retained as State’s Attorney there will be a seamless transition going forward with no reshuffling of the staff,” Rock said.
Morrow thinks technology can improve efficiency From A1 Morrow would also like to see an increased use in technology in the courts. “Utilizing technology can make the office more efficient,” he said. “We utilize technology in private practice on a daily basis that helps automate our workflow.” Morrow would also like to see an increased acceptance of alternative specialty courts. “You need to draw a distinction between violent and non violent offenders,” he said. “We have a huge heroin problem and we need to be more aggressive on the drug dealers while helping the users.” The non violent users, he said would benefit from the drug court that is available in
the county. “These specialty courts help with non violent offenders,” said Morrow. “They also help make the county safer. I was a founding member of the New Horizon’s Ogle County Drug Court. This gives individuals a second chance to earn the right to become productive family members, and members of our society again.” Morrow said the drug court works because the police departments in the county help. He would like to work on expanding the specialty courts available in Ogle County. “If I am elected State’s Attorney I would like to work with Mike Rock and the staff to ensure a smooth transition,” said Morrow.
“I have worked with the Ogle County court system for 14 years and know the employees and the facilities available.” While Morrow may be younger than his opponent he knows he has the experience and work ethic to be the State’s Attorney. “In private practice we stay until the work is done,” said Morrow. “I also involved in a variety of community service organizations. I would bring this work ethic to the State’s Attorney’s office.” He said community service has been a great way to assist others, and understands how important it is to help. “I currently serve as president of the Foundation for Focus House, the president of Serenity Hospice & Home Foundation, and president of the Ogle County
Bar Association,” he said. “I am also a Rotarian, Mason, and Shriner.” Once a week, Morrow teaches a criminal law class at Sauk Valley College. This variety of legal experience coupled with his community service offers a unique opportunity in a State’s Attorney, he said. “My experiences have given me a unique insight into the Ogle County Judicial System,” Morrow said. “I have learned that communication is the key. Prosecuting criminals is very important, but dealing with the victims impacted by the crime is critical.” His experiences have allowed an opportunity to work on difficult cases. “Having been both a prosecutor and a defense attorney, I am very suited to
review and analyze a case from both sides,” Morrow said. Some of the lines of communication that Morrow would like to see improved would allow for a seamless workflow between the
attorneys, judges, circuit clerk, sheriff’s office, and probation. He said court files between the State’s Attorney’s office and circuit clerk could be linked together to allow quicker access to the data.
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