MORE "BALD FACTS" FOR YOU

HERE'S ANOTHER WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE .... WITH ADDED DETAIL!

The following is an excerpt from a post on this blog written by another blogger.

DOES A PUBLIC OFFICIAL’S CHARACTER REALLY MATTER (Blog)

Commissioner Novacek, during a Town Board meeting, FALSELY accused Commissioner Barfknecht of improprieties. He actually went to her home... and told her that "when she does not vote as he thinks she should, he would like to knock her off her chair." This was reported by Commissioner Barfknecht at the public comment period of a Town Board meeting. NO BOARD ACTION was taken regarding Commissioner Novacek's threatening and false comments. He publicly and FALSELY accused Clerk Sandstrom of improprieties, suggesting that Sandstrom had not even opened the ballots cast when Commissioner Barfknecht was reappointed. 

HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM TOWN BOARD MINUTES OF AUGUST 12, 2013:

Public Comment Period...
Allen Novacek, 24030 Iberia Ave commented on the appointment of Lu Barfknecht to the Planning Commission. He implied that the votes were not counted correctly. 

The established procedure of the Town Board for appointing Planning Commission members and or voting on Chair and Vice Chair positions has always been by secret ballot. Township Attorney Chad Lemmons commented that the correct procedure would be to collect the votes and each vote be read into the record individually. In the future either a role call vote should take place or each ballot should be read into the record, one at a time. The Township attorney will write a memo on the proper procedure. 

Lu Barfknecht, 24585 Iceland Path commented on a visit she had from Allen Novacek relating to his comments tonight. She felt that things were being communicated inappropriately. 

A motion by Supervisor Kenny Miller: To put into effect the procedure that Mr. Lemmons has outlined and keep it on file for future reference. Motion seconded by Supervisor Brian Budenski. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 

Attorney Chad Lemmons commented on the vote for the Planning Commission member. Town Board members signed by written ballots, they were handed to the Clerk. The Clerk reviewed the ballots and informed the Board who received the most votes, which is part of the public record. The procedure followed with the minor exception that they should have been read out loud was proper. He sees no reason to reconsider it. 
A motion by Supervisor Pete Storlie: The Planning Commission appointment of Lu Barfknecht is not an issue. Motion seconded by Supervisor Brian Budenski. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 


Now here is what Mr. Novacek put before the Town Board (quoted with all errors intact):

                                                                                                                              July 07, 2013
There has arisen a need to address a serious matter. That matter concerns the most recent vote appointing a Eureka Planning Commission member (May 2013) The problem involves a dilema which points to scandal. I am very aware of the potential for innocent people to be hurt. Caution is needed in how this matter is handled. That being said, I cannot in good conscience remain silent on this issue. Through both random and later my own deliberate actions, I have been made aware of the probability, not possibility, that 3 members of the Eureka Town Board voted for Heather Martin but Lu Barfknecht received the appointment. Multiple explanations may apply but the appearance of scandal demands some form of investigation. The information I possess can be shared in whatever manner follows proper procedure to constructively rectify the problem. As of the above date, this document is submitted to Eureka Town Board members ONLY. If some resolution is not found and shared with myself (Allen Novacek-Eureka Planning Commission member) by the Aug. 2013 Eureka Town Board meeting date, I will make a public statement reflecting what I know about this problem. Please contact me if I can be of any assistance in resolving this matter.
    Allen Novacek-2013 Eureka Planning Commission member  c 952 693 XXXX
    w 952 469 XXXX

Here is Lu Barfknecht's reply to the Board that evening:

I received a phone message from Allen Novacek stating he would like to talk with me about some very sensitive things going on in the Township. He stated it would be wise for me to return his phone call.  I returned his call and he asked that I not discuss the phone call with anyone and ask if we could meet in person either at his home or mine. He also stated that I may want my husband to also be present in the event that a witness to the conversation is needed at a later time.   I suggested my home, as there would be less chance of any interruptions.   Allen came to my home on July 29th.  He started the conversation by stating he wanted to make it clear that he is his own person and not at the end of puppet strings directed or controlled by Butch Hanson, so if anything happens this is solely on him.  He also stated that no one knows he is at my house except his daughter.  I told him I kept my word and the only one that knows he is here is my husband and he is in the other room. Allen then gave me a piece of paper he took from his briefcase. I was very surprised by the contents of the paragraph.  Allen proceeded to tell me that through direct conversations with 3 Board Supervisors when he specifically asked them "why did you vote Lu back in" their responses were they didn't.  Allen also stated that Butch questioned the outcome as well, and that Butch and Terri Petter are both aware of this situation.  I asked him how they would know any of this since I was lead to believe that no one other than the Board of Supervisors, as Allen claimed, were aware of what we were discussing. Allen's response was that Butch and Terri were aware of the situation but that he hadn't shown them the paragraph that was meant for the Board of Supervisor eyes only - I assumed Allen followed procedure and sent his complaint & concerns on this through the Town Clerk, but it appears to me his communication was either hand delivered or mailed.  He also stated he and Butch almost came to blows because they had a disagreement on Allen's actions and I quote "no one tells Butch Hanson what he can or cannot do, you just don't do that, you don’t tell Butch what to do, everyone knows that” I told Allen that I had no knowledge of Butch Hanson or Terri Petter prior to becoming a Planning Commission member.  My first introduction to the two of them was in 2010 when they were both present on the application for the rebuild of her pole barn.  It was to be a pole barn with a dirt floor and a water spiket, nothing more.  That was my first encounter with the two of them. Allen stated some people could think that I had something to do with the outcome and the appointment was fixed.  My response was why would anyone think that, the interviews are done live, the votes are cast immediately after, and the appointment is made.  Allen's comment was "if you recall, when Nanette took the ballets she didn't even open them, she just said you won"  I did not recall that was what occurred and suggested a call be made to Gloria Belzer to ask if she has the visual recording of the meeting. Allen stated he did not want Gloria Belzer to be involved or in any way pulled into this. Allen's view on what happened was that one of the 3 Supervisors lied to him or Nanette made a mistake. So, Allen is calling a Township Supervisor a Liar or Nanette a Liar.  He indicated again, this could be a witch hunt and nothing may come of it and he knows innocent people could be hurt by it.  I advised Allen that I had nothing to do with what he is proposing happened or any involvement in what he referred to as a fixed appointment or a mistake.  I also advised him that Nanette would have no reason to "fix" the outcome and the integrity of the Town Board as well as Nanette and myself are being put out there basically to cast doubt on the outcome of the appointment.  If the Board of Supervisors does not want me on the Planning Commission then I shouldn't be.  Allen stated that the Supervisor's don't want to touch this.  I suggested the Attorney be contacted and Allen stated the Attorney does not want to touch this situation either; no one wants their fingerprints on this. Makes me wonder how he has all this inside information and what else is being communicated inappropriately. 

Allen stated that if he doesn't hear from someone, a Supervisor, within the next two days that he will be contacting Heather Martin to let her know what is going on, just as he did me so that no one is blind sided.  I did not agree with him, my advice to him was to wait for the discussion with the Board. He stated that he could not stand by knowing that a wrong was done to someone (Heather Martin) without doing something about it, even though this could be nothing more than a witch hunt.  Allen stated that when "we" he and the supervisors talk about “me” Lu Barfknecht, that the Supervisors don't really have anything bad to say about me as a person but they just don't like the way I vote on things when a motion is made.  He went on to say he would like to see my vote lean in favor of his direction and that he too "sometimes wonders why and where my votes on motions come from and sometimes, and I quote "I'd like to knock you off your chair".   Allen suggested that he, Heather Martin and I should all sit together before you (the Board) so that the people could see that there could be unification in the Township. I thanked Allen for coming by with the heads up so I was not to be blinded sided by his actions and told him I would call Pete Storlie since he is the Board of Supervisor Chair.  I also thanked him for not "knocking me off my chair". 

I did have a conversation with Pete immediately after Allen left my home.

(I also contacted Erik Hedkte with MAT.) 

Here is my opinion on the situation:

One can only assume that since 3 unnamed Board Supervisors along with Allen Novacek and Butch Hanson converse on a regular basis, the appointment would have been challenged by one of them at the time it was announced, it wasn't.  If the Eureka Town Board of Supervisors chooses to remove me from my appointment, then it should be handled accordingly per our Township Ordinance: Ordinance 2, Chapter 3, section 3:

Removal From Office: Vacancies

  Any Commission Member may be removed from office for just cause by a  

  minimum of 3 members of the Town Board, provided that the Member is given  

  ten days advance notice in writing of the proposed action of the Board and an 

 opportunity for a public hearing before a vote is taken.  In addition, any Member

 may be removed for non-attendance at Planning Commission meetings without 

 action by the Town Board according to the rules adopted by the Planning 

 Commission.

So if there is just cause to remove me from the appointment, then I will await the written notification from the Township and expect a Public Hearing.  I would also recommend the Board consider the removal of Allen Novacek for behavior unbecoming a representative of the Eureka Planning Commission in the Township of Eureka. He has voiced his dislike for Ordinances on several occasions, and he is unprepared and inattentive at regularly scheduled Planning Commission meetings.  One doesn't know if he will be able to restrain himself from physical violence should a vote not go in his direction on future motions.

Thank you for your time.

Lu Barfknecht

8/12/13



OF NOTE: Novacek did not attempt to deny or even to comment at that night's meeting on the above statements after Barfknecht read her response to the Board.

Lu Brafknecht went on to do a fine job on the Planning Commission-my opinion.