Video: WU’s Romanelli Exposed!

Editors Note: This recently discovered video showing Steve Romanelli, President of Winfield United addressing  the Winfield Village Board in May 2010 about his organization’s relationship with that same village board.

Romanelli is hard at work as he took time once again to whitewash or ignore the truth in order to protect Winfield United’s control of the Winfield Village Board. Listen at the very end of Romanelli’s “heartfelt” speech when he states:

“as the President of Winfield United we have NEVER controlled the board (Winfield Village Board) have NEVER told anyone on this board, what to do or not to do.” –Steve Romanelli, President Winfield United

Mr. Czech’s village board speech is indisputable evidence despite Romanelli’s denial of illicit coordination between Winfield United and the Winfield Village Board that Winfield United does in fact weld considerable influence and authority over the village board and their decisions.

We have re-posted former Winfield Village President Rudy Czech’s board speech [Go to the highlighted portions for the short version] he gave at his final board meeting in April 2009.

The video of Winfield United’s Steve Romanelli and Mr. Czech’s speech, speak for themselves.

Rudy Czech’s Final Village Board Speech:

First I would like to congratulate Trustee Deborah Birutis,Trustee Jack Bajor, Trustee Joel Kunesh and Jay Olson on their election wins. Also Dan Conley and Clerk Anne Mareachen. I’m sure they will all do a great job in their respective offices. It was an interesting election, of which I would like to briefly comment on.

While I accept the results I do feel I need to address some misinformation that was thrown about. Yes, the residents clearly and overwhelmingly showed they wanted me out, I got the message loud and clear. However I do question how they arrived at that conclusion. I thought most residents were not in favor of vehicle stickers – I guess I was wrong, since winning candidates have stated at board meetings their favoring them, and rec’d. over 1,000 votes each. So I guess many residents support the sticker program. I have never said I supported them, however both the Public Works Committee and the Finance Committee have discussed them and recommended that the Village Board review and discuss the issue. This issue was tabled, not voted on, which means it is still out there.

The issue of 4 village managers….I have had one, Bill Barlow. Jeff Moline was the previous Manager. Gordon Cole, Bruce Bonebrake & Phil Page were Interim Managers. Naperville had an interim for a year, recently hiring a new Village Manager.

I guess I underestimated the power of the force, the Winfield United Political Organization. Although I was supported by this organization 4 years ago, they dropped support for me last August with no explanation. They solicited candidates to be interviewed for their endorsement, yet refused to interview me. I can only assume it was because I nominated John Karwoski and then former mayor John Kirschbaum to the Plan Commission. Both of these appointments failed. After I nominated John Karwoski and the motion died for a lack of a second, I had a visitor come to my office. There I was shown the election tally for 2005 and reminded me who all supported me and what was I thinking of.

I was attempting to unify the town, the different factions that exist in the community. That’s what I was thinking. I was blocked by Winfield United Board members. OR it could have been my remark that Roosevelt Rd. needs to be looked at for development of some kind to bring in revenue, since most of it is unincorporated. If we don’t annex it, West Chicago surely will. I don’t think that went well within the Winfield United Organization, in fact I know it didn’t. I also attempted to appoint Tim Allen to a vacant Trustee position. Besides being told I would not have the votes to appoint him, I was sent an e-mail by a WU member and told that I lost their support when I considered Tim Allen’s nomination to the Board.

I bring this up for a reason. I was elected 4 years ago to represent the entire town, not just the Winfield United Political Party. When I strayed from their beliefs, I was removed. To prove me wrong on this statement, I’m sure, no I’m positive attempts will be made to unify the town and with WU’s blessing, successful appointments will be made to represent all the political factions that are in Winfield, which is great but at the end of the day, the Winfield United Political organization will still maintain control of the Board. And rightfully so, they won. The campaign literature for some of the winning candidates was paid for by the Winfield United Political Organization. That’s no secret. It would be the same as if a political party (Dem or Rep) did it. So I recognize that fact. WU spent a lot of money, but so did the other candidates. This has to have been the most expensive election in Winfield history.

The Winfield United Political Party has succeeded in winning the last 3 consecutive elections 05, 07 & 09. and has made their presence known, I do congratulate the Winfield United Organization on another election win but want to remind everyone that they are the ones who really hold the power. If they don’t like you or you disagree with them, they’ll remove you. I’m a testimonial to that.

But who was the real winner…..the man behind the curtain. The great and powerful Winfield wizard of politics….Stan Zegel. Wait, is he really behind a curtain, am I telling you anything new? Stan has been a powerful force in Winfield politics for years and now has a newspaper at his disposal. Stan has succeeded in electing the last 4 mayors. I commend him for his success rate, it’s awesome. He is a master at this. Stan, let me say, I congratulate you on another successful win, you did it again. The irony of it is his only unsuccessful candidate was himself, when he ran in 2001. I’ve known Stan for almost 20 years. He was instrumental in helping me get on the Board in 1991 and of course I thank him for that. But when he wants you off the board – watch out. His success rate there is just as good.

I’ve had a bulls eye on my back for months now and Stan’s Winfield Register has certainly helped keep it there. Issue after Issue attacked me, making me look totally incompetent. I used to say, If I believed everything that was written about me, I wouldn’t vote for me either. Well obviously people did believe it and that’s what I fear. Information that I didn’t correct was believed. Articles written with no signature or just “Our Fine Staff”. Who wrote these? Sensational headlines such as “Mayor Prays, Public Pays” regarding the Pedestrian Underpass helped to destroy my credibility…”the underpass just won’t die”…..and on and on it went. “Village To Stick It To Residents” regarding the vehicle sticker issue. Even Congressman Peter Roskam’s mailing was associated as being unethical yet Roskam’s staff did the same thing for over 20 other mayors.

I can’t help believe that Dist. 34 is losing a good superintendent because of the continuous attacks on her credibility. Why would she stay here? Why would anyone who reads month after month, year after year constant editorializing and critiquing of their performance as an administrator with a perception of negative performance.

Stan, if your out there watching, which I’m sure you are, I ask you on behalf of countless residents, to please lighten up on your editorializing and to please be more objective in your articles. When you stood at the Metra Train Station and passed out flyers to commuters regarding the proposed underpass you once again presented slanted and misleading information. How many owners of a newspaper do this? When you called me and Angel Oakley and asked us to drop out of the mayoral race to improve your favored candidate Deborah Birutis’ chances of beating Tony Reyes you once again brought attention to your non-objective position. How could you possibly say you are objective and endorse her when you do that? How many owners of a newspaper do that? I don’t recall hearing that the Daily Herald asked my opponents to withdraw after I got their endorsement.

I could go on and on about the attacks on me from Stan’s newsletter but we’d. be here for hours. A number of residents have voiced concerns over the Village giving the Register the rights to publish Public Hearing notices. They have implied that my administration is doing this because Stan and I are such good friends and that I want to help a friend. Nothing could be farther from the truth, believe me. To them I say, where have you been for the last 2 years with his ruthless attacks on me. Stan has said that I’m just too nice of a guy and not a good administrator, well maybe he’s right. I was too nice of guy by letting his attacks on me go on without a challenge. I should of stood up to Stan Zegel in every issue. In the end, if you are planning on running for Village President, you won’t be successful without Stan Zegel’s endorsement and that’s a fact.

So as to not just vent on Stan’s Register, I would also recommend that the Daily Herald consider getting out of the “endorsement” business. I’ve thought about this for awhile and have even told them so. It really is a waste of time. Some candidates never go in for the endorsement interview but win their elections. The candidates really should seek the endorsement of the Winfield United Political Party, that obviously carries more wait in
Winfield elections.

I wanted to make sure some of these election-related issues were adequately addressed and information corrected before we close the door on this election. I’m sure this will be perceived as “whining” because I lost but whatever, I felt I needed to say this.

Rudy Czech
Village Board Meeting
April 16, 2009

Rudy Czech’s Final Board Speech

Editor’s Note: Many resident did not have the opportunity to hear to Mr. Czech’s final speech as Winfield Village President, so we have reprinted the speech in its’ entirety (unedited) for everyone to read.   In light of Mr. Allen’s most recent flier on Winfield United, it only seemed appropriate to make Mr. Czech’s farewell speech available.  There are many parallels between  Mr. Czech’s speech and Mr. Allen’s flier, along with some very troubling observations made by Mr. Czech regarding his one-time supporters, Winfield United.  He also provides some very valuable in-sight into how Winfield United maintains control.

First I would like to congratulate Trustee Deborah Birutis,Trustee Jack Bajor, Trustee Joel Kunesh and Jay Olson on their election wins. Also Dan Conley and Clerk Anne Mareachen. I’m sure they will all do a great job in their respective offices. It was an interesting election, of which I would like to briefly comment on.

While I accept the results I do feel I need to address some misinformation that was thrown about. Yes, the residents clearly and overwhelmingly showed they wanted me out, I got the message loud and clear. However I do question how they arrived at that conclusion. I thought most residents were not in favor of vehicle stickers – I guess I was wrong, since winning candidates have stated at board meetings their favoring them, and rec’d. over 1,000 votes each. So I guess many residents support the sticker program. I have never said I supported them, however both the Public Works Committee and the Finance Committee have discussed them and recommended that the Village Board review and discuss the issue. This issue was tabled, not voted on, which means it is still out there.

The issue of 4 village managers….I have had one, Bill Barlow. Jeff Moline was the previous Manager. Gordon Cole, Bruce Bonebrake & Phil Page were Interim Managers. Naperville had an interim for a year, recently hiring a new Village Manager.

I guess I underestimated the power of the force, the Winfield United Political Organization. Although I was supported by this organization 4 years ago, they dropped support for me last August with no explanation. They solicited candidates to be interviewed for their endorsement, yet refused to interview me. I can only assume it was because I nominated John Karwoski and then former mayor John Kirschbaum to the Plan Commission. Both of these appointments failed. After I nominated John Karwoski and the motion died for a lack of a second, I had a visitor come to my office. There I was shown the election tally for 2005 and reminded me who all supported me and what was I thinking of.

I was attempting to unify the town, the different factions that exist in the community. That’s what I was thinking. I was blocked by Winfield United Board members. OR it could have been my remark that Roosevelt Rd. needs to be looked at for development of some kind to bring in revenue, since most of it is unincorporated. If we don’t annex it, West Chicago surely will. I don’t think that went well within the Winfield United Organization, in fact I know it didn’t. I also attempted to appoint Tim Allen to a vacant Trustee position. Besides being told I would not have the votes to appoint him, I was sent an e-mail by a WU member and told that I lost their support when I considered Tim Allen’s nomination to the Board.

I bring this up for a reason. I was elected 4 years ago to represent the entire town, not just the Winfield United Political Party. When I strayed from their beliefs, I was removed. To prove me wrong on this statement, I’m sure, no I’m positive attempts will be made to unify the town and with WU’s blessing, successful appointments will be made to represent all the political factions that are in Winfield, which is great but at the end of the day, the Winfield United Political organization will still maintain control of the Board. And rightfully so, they won. The campaign literature for some of the winning candidates was paid for by the Winfield United Political Organization. That’s no secret. It would be the same as if a political party (Dem or Rep) did it. So I recognize that fact. WU spent a lot of money, but so did the other candidates. This has to have been the most expensive election in Winfield history.

The Winfield United Political Party has succeeded in winning the last 3 consecutive elections 05, 07 & 09. and has made their presence known, I do congratulate the Winfield United Organization on another election win but want to remind everyone that they are the ones who really hold the power. If they don’t like you or you disagree with them, they’ll remove you. I’m a testimonial to that.

But who was the real winner…..the man behind the curtain. The great and powerful Winfield wizard of politics….Stan Zegel. Wait, is he really behind a curtain, am I telling you anything new? Stan has been a powerful force in Winfield politics for years and now has a newspaper at his disposal. Stan has succeeded in electing the last 4 mayors. I commend him for his success rate, it’s awesome. He is a master at this. Stan, let me say, I congratulate you on another successful win, you did it again. The irony of it is his only unsuccessful candidate was himself, when he ran in 2001. I’ve known Stan for almost 20 years. He was instrumental in helping me get on the Board in 1991 and of course I thank him for that. But when he wants you off the board – watch out. His success rate there is just as good.

I’ve had a bulls eye on my back for months now and Stan’s Winfield Register has certainly helped keep it there. Issue after Issue attacked me, making me look totally incompetent. I used to say, If I believed everything that was written about me, I wouldn’t vote for me either. Well obviously people did believe it and that’s what I fear. Information that I didn’t correct was believed. Articles written with no signature or just “Our Fine Staff”. Who wrote these? Sensational headlines such as “Mayor Prays, Public Pays” regarding the Pedestrian Underpass helped to destroy my credibility…”the underpass just won’t die”…..and on and on it went. “Village To Stick It To Residents” regarding the vehicle sticker issue. Even Congressman Peter Roskam’s mailing was associated as being unethical yet Roskam’s staff did the same thing for over 20 other mayors.

I can’t help believe that Dist. 34 is losing a good superintendent because of the continuous attacks on her credibility. Why would she stay here? Why would anyone who reads month after month, year after year constant editorializing and critiquing of their performance as an administrator with a perception of negative performance.

Stan, if your out there watching, which I’m sure you are, I ask you on behalf of countless residents, to please lighten up on your editorializing and to please be more objective in your articles. When you stood at the Metra Train Station and passed out flyers to commuters regarding the proposed underpass you once again presented slanted and misleading information. How many owners of a newspaper do this? When you called me and Angel Oakley and asked us to drop out of the mayoral race to improve your favored candidate Deborah Birutis’ chances of beating Tony Reyes you once again brought attention to your non-objective position. How could you possibly say you are objective and endorse her when you do that? How many owners of a newspaper do that? I don’t recall hearing that the Daily Herald asked my opponents to withdraw after I got their endorsement.

I could go on and on about the attacks on me from Stan’s newsletter but we’d. be here for hours. A number of residents have voiced concerns over the Village giving the Register the rights to publish Public Hearing notices. They have implied that my administration is doing this because Stan and I are such good friends and that I want to help a friend. Nothing could be farther from the truth, believe me. To them I say, where have you been for the last 2 years with his ruthless attacks on me. Stan has said that I’m just too nice of a guy and not a good administrator, well maybe he’s right. I was too nice of guy by letting his attacks on me go on without a challenge. I should of stood up to Stan Zegel in every issue. In the end, if you are planning on running for Village President, you won’t be successful without Stan Zegel’s endorsement and that’s a fact.

So as to not just vent on Stan’s Register, I would also recommend that the Daily Herald consider getting out of the “endorsement” business. I’ve thought about this for awhile and have even told them so. It really is a waste of time. Some candidates never go in for the endorsement interview but win their elections. The candidates really should seek the endorsement of the Winfield United Political Party, that obviously carries more wait in
Winfield elections.

I wanted to make sure some of these election-related issues were adequately addressed and information corrected before we close the door on this election. I’m sure this will be perceived as “whining” because I lost but whatever, I felt I needed to say this.

Rudy Czech
Village Board Meeting
April 16, 2009

Where the Sun Don’t Shine

My first conversation with Rudy Czech was shortly after he won the election to be President of Winfield in 2005. The reason that I stopped by his office was was to share an idea with him. I pitched the idea of a Winfield Community Garden where the citizens of Winfield could grow flowers and vegetables. Considering a good piece of Winfield is covered by trees that are too tall to allow sunlight in, if a citizen wanted a garden he or she would need to find a small parcel of land where there was sunlight.

I was naive in expecting Rudy to say ” Great idea Tim, we will have it done this week.” What he actually did was explain about 10 different ways it wouldn’t ever happen. He was quick to tell me he was president and a founding member of the Winfield Area Gardeners (W.A.G). He also told me that he and W.A.G tried to start a community garden before but it never got off the ground. Of the ways that “It’ll never work…” that he was so fond of telling me was one where he suggested, that once people started gardening on a piece of land they would come to expect they own the land they were gardening. I thought this was perfectly ridiculous and I knew when I was getting shot down. I came back to Rudy’s office the next year and suggested the same idea. Once again, I got the pat on the head and the walk to the door.

I really didn’t understand the “Can’t Do” attitude. Although in Rudy’s defense it is endemic to governments everywhere. All he had to do was make a call to the village manager, or suggest a piece of property that I could create a garden on and tell ME to make it happen and it would have been done.

So in the spring of 2009 after I lost the election for village trustee, I called Erik Spande my running mate and said, “Erik, we are creating a community garden and we are not taking no for an answer.” Considering the timing between the election and planting time we only had two months to identify potential places to put a community garden. All of them imploded as we found out the land had problems like not being owned by Winfield, having land owners that were worried about insurance issues (gardening is clearly a dangerous hobby…) and land owners that were so pissed at the Winfield government for the hell they were being put through they told me to “See me next year…”.

Ultimately, the Winfield Park District came to the rescue. They had a postage stamp of land that was good soil for gardening. They had insurance, water and parking and because  Winfield Park Commissioner Mark Pawlowsk, the guy that runs the park district, is not a politician and knows the purpose of the park district is to create recreational opportunities, we were able to set up shop in about 6 weeks.

In our first year we had 9 gardeners. This year, we have 31 gardeners for 44 garden plots (some still available, call the park district for information). I would like to thank Allison Jacobs for her hard work making the Winfield Community Garden a success.

I would like to think of the community garden as the triumph of a “Can DO” attitude over the atrophied bureaucratic nightmare that is typically how government works. If forced to get a OK vote from the village trustees I could see Erik Spande and I in front of the Planning Commission for five months and then two months of debate at the trustee level only to be sent back to the planning commission to double check flood water regulations, have a endangered species survey and have a hostile meeting with the department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Winfield politicians love their regulations.

By the way, we built the community garden in a flood plain. MUWHAhahaha! Take THAT bureaucrats!

I am taking a few lessons away from this little adventure.

1. Never quit when a politician shoots you down.
2. If you ever get to be a politician, the word “Yes” does more good for the community than “No” does.
3. If Rudy Czech wants a garden, he can garden where the sun don’t shine.

Poor Leadership Continues To Plague Winfield

Winfield Village President Deborah Birutis is following closely in the foot steps of her failed predecessor, former Village President Rudy Czech. In a very short time, Winfield has had its’ share of poor and out-of-touch village presidents, each one shared one strong common trait– they were  abandoned, chewed up and spit out. Mr. Czech unwisely detoured around the exit ramp and ran for a second-term – Only to be shoved into oncoming traffic by his former supporters, Winfield United.

Deborah Birutis is failing, and not just here or there, she’s failing everywhere, downtown redevelopment, new revenue sources, road and infrastructure improvements, rebuilding fund balances, maintaining a working partnership with critical stakeholders in the village, and most importantly, in forging connections within the community. Birutis is failing because fundamentally she is neither smart nor articulate; her intellectual dishonesty is evident by its audacity and lack of shame.

She has a self-narrative, much of it fabricated, cleverly disguised and written by Winfield United. She doesn’t have the personality which draws upon the rest of us or resonates in a positive endearing way with the majority of the residents.

It’s not so much she’s untaught in the field of economics, is politically challenged and woefully small minded for the task at hand–all contributory of course. Ms. Birutis’ profile is fuzzy and devoid of content. Moreover, she doesn’t command the respect of the residents and is firmly entrenched with Winfield United’s damaging ideology. Her notion of what direction the community should follow is illogical and just doesn’t add up. Her descriptions of Winfield do not make sense and do not correspond with the realities the town is facing.

In the meantime, a much different picture of Ms. Birutis has emerged from the one Winfield United passed around prior to the 2009 election. She’s indifferent and hostile to the development community, alienated the police department, she has offended DuPage County, deceived the residents about the financial state of the village and ignored entire groups of residents all to serve Winfield United, which is acting on its’ own for its’ own power.

Ms. Birutis’ lack of financial competence was predicted and it now has put the community into a deep hole.  Ms. Birutis’ agenda undermines the very confidences that will be essential to restoring economic growth in Winfield. We are hostage to Ms. Birutis’ ideologue that wants to push the Winfield United agenda instead of being committed to protecting the vested interests of the residents.