Inside City Finance Correction
I feel compelled to set the record straight, as did the Former Library Board Member, and the record can be found if someone would take the effort to review the public records, new articles or just call and ask.
First, there is your comments and facts which as so called insider are wrong addressing Tony Graff's public employment record, which there are numerous article and references to my public employment record. I started my police career as a police officer for the Harvey Police Department in 1978 and then I was a detective for the Village of Dixmoor, IL in 1982. Ultimately I was appointed as Dixmoor's Police Chief in 1985 then I was appointed as Yorkville's Police Chief in 1992. Yes, Dan Pleckham and I worked together as officers for Harvey...this Dan Pleckham was Dan Pleckham, Jr (Yorkville's K-9 Office) father which I was honor and proud to call a friend and a cops cop. So your insider facts are wrong neither I nor Dan Pleckham worked for the Markham Police Department.
The 2nd fact which needs to be clarified is the Finance Director Traci Pleckham who was recommended for the position by a hiring committee of council members and appointed and approved by the Mayor and City Council. As City Administrator my role was to assist and facilitate the hiring process for the new created Finance Director's position.
Another fact for the insider is Chief of Police Harold Martin was recommended to the Mayor and City Council by Tony Graff since Chief Martin was the Lieutenant appointed by Chief Graff who was qualified to fulfill the position as Chief of Police. One other fact Lieutenant Donald Schwarztkopf did work for Tony Graff as a Police Detective for Dixmoor but resigned and moved to Florida before he was appointed as a Police Officer for Yorkville. Both Dan Pleckham who will receive his bachelors degree this May and Don Schwarztkopf who will receive his Master Degree shortly are a true asset to Yorkville and both are residents of Yorkville.
Now, the so called 400 pages of documents and the bill list issue. Well, I can soundly say at each COW meeting the bill list was discussed and our City Council and Mayor would take the time to review this list and questions and clarification was provided either by staff or a review of the invoices. Also, this process for the bill list to be review at the COW meetings was something which began as a recommendation from staff and aldermen to review during COW to provide more time to review and follow up on any questions on the invoices before the vote at the City Council meeting the following week. The former process was receiving the bill list on Friday afternoon before a City Council meeting and try to call staff on Monday or Tuesday to address any concerns on the bill list, this was cumbersome and the new process provided an open forum for any elected official poise a question during and open meeting, why the bill was on the list. The new process added a layer of accountability to the approval process.
For the record during the first 60 days when I was selected and appointed by the Mayor and City Council to serve as City Administrator the Mayor and City Council appointed 2 other high priority positions which were Chief of Police and Public Works Director and I supported and recommended both Harold Martin to be Chief and Eric Dhuse to be Public Works Director. Now, this is truly City Insider info...or just the public record.
Currently, Tony Graff is not a lobbyist...I am a real estate agent and development consultant and a 15 year resident of the United City of Yorkville.
Submitted by Tony Graff to verify please feel free to call me at 630-***-****
First, there is your comments and facts which as so called insider are wrong addressing Tony Graff's public employment record, which there are numerous article and references to my public employment record. I started my police career as a police officer for the Harvey Police Department in 1978 and then I was a detective for the Village of Dixmoor, IL in 1982. Ultimately I was appointed as Dixmoor's Police Chief in 1985 then I was appointed as Yorkville's Police Chief in 1992. Yes, Dan Pleckham and I worked together as officers for Harvey...this Dan Pleckham was Dan Pleckham, Jr (Yorkville's K-9 Office) father which I was honor and proud to call a friend and a cops cop. So your insider facts are wrong neither I nor Dan Pleckham worked for the Markham Police Department.
The 2nd fact which needs to be clarified is the Finance Director Traci Pleckham who was recommended for the position by a hiring committee of council members and appointed and approved by the Mayor and City Council. As City Administrator my role was to assist and facilitate the hiring process for the new created Finance Director's position.
Another fact for the insider is Chief of Police Harold Martin was recommended to the Mayor and City Council by Tony Graff since Chief Martin was the Lieutenant appointed by Chief Graff who was qualified to fulfill the position as Chief of Police. One other fact Lieutenant Donald Schwarztkopf did work for Tony Graff as a Police Detective for Dixmoor but resigned and moved to Florida before he was appointed as a Police Officer for Yorkville. Both Dan Pleckham who will receive his bachelors degree this May and Don Schwarztkopf who will receive his Master Degree shortly are a true asset to Yorkville and both are residents of Yorkville.
Now, the so called 400 pages of documents and the bill list issue. Well, I can soundly say at each COW meeting the bill list was discussed and our City Council and Mayor would take the time to review this list and questions and clarification was provided either by staff or a review of the invoices. Also, this process for the bill list to be review at the COW meetings was something which began as a recommendation from staff and aldermen to review during COW to provide more time to review and follow up on any questions on the invoices before the vote at the City Council meeting the following week. The former process was receiving the bill list on Friday afternoon before a City Council meeting and try to call staff on Monday or Tuesday to address any concerns on the bill list, this was cumbersome and the new process provided an open forum for any elected official poise a question during and open meeting, why the bill was on the list. The new process added a layer of accountability to the approval process.
For the record during the first 60 days when I was selected and appointed by the Mayor and City Council to serve as City Administrator the Mayor and City Council appointed 2 other high priority positions which were Chief of Police and Public Works Director and I supported and recommended both Harold Martin to be Chief and Eric Dhuse to be Public Works Director. Now, this is truly City Insider info...or just the public record.
Currently, Tony Graff is not a lobbyist...I am a real estate agent and development consultant and a 15 year resident of the United City of Yorkville.
Submitted by Tony Graff to verify please feel free to call me at 630-***-****
Webmaster: The following are corrections sent to me and posted here verbatim. I have also
corrected information on this site as needed. Thank you for all corrections/updates.
corrected information on this site as needed. Thank you for all corrections/updates.