Four in running for Township supervisor
By Linda Girardi For The Beacon-News March 13, 2013 4:40PM
Updated: April 15, 2013 11:31AM
Sugar Grove Township Supervisor Harold “Harry” Davis is seeking to retain the post he has held for two months, after the sudden resignation of the former township supervisor.
“It is a challenging position, but I like the challenge,” Davis said.
The four contenders for Sugar Grove Township supervisor spoke to voters Tuesday night at a Candidates Night hosted by the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce.
Davis was a township trustee when he was voted in by his peers on the Township Board in January to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Township Supervisor Dan Nagel.
Following a complaint about financial issues in the office, Nagel resigned after 31 years with the township.
About 90 people gathered at the Sugar Grove Community House where they heard from some of the candidates seeking election for Village, Township, Library and School Board posts in the April 9 election.
The complaint about Nagel was raised by Township Trustee Scott Jesseman, who also is seeking election as township supervisor. A third supervisor candidate is Trustee Tom Rowe, who had served 12 years as township clerk. The fourth candidate is newcomer Curt Karas.
No one addressed the controversy directly Tuesday night, other than Jesseman when he said “we have corrected a lot of things.”
Davis said more can be done to improve efficiencies by working with other government entities.
“We have to cooperate amongst ourselves so everyone gets better,” Davis said.
Jesseman said he, too, thought there was room to coordinate resources.
Rowe said as the “longest serving member” of the township’s elected officers, his goal is to increase and support senior programming, revisit transportation for seniors and “get our financial house in order.”
Karas said he would bring his business consulting and accounting experience to the office to “improve the accounting system” in the township.
“People who have good information can make better decisions,” Karas said.
Davis said he sees no reasons to reduce township services.
“Fortunately we are adequately funded,” he said.
Jesseman said, “We reduced the supervisor’s pay so we have a job for someone who wants to be here.”
“We are in a position to freeze the levy, with the exception of mental health, and we can look for other sources for revenues and do more in rental income and sponsorships for the senior lunch program,” Rowe told the audience.
“I could make promises (but) the better way is to ask, “What we can do for seniors?” Karas said.
