It's time for Stookey Township Board to give an account of the nearly $2 million collected beyond the need to pay off the refinancing of sewer bonds under sewer Ordinance 191. This has been brought up to the Stookey Board a number of times and recorded in the minutes. An article appeared in the BND.

A board member once said it wasn't going to be given back to sewer facility users. No legal action of record has been taken by the board to dispense of the ordinance 191 fund account. Money from the bond account can't be comingled with other funds.

An audit of Sewer Department funds of July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, shows a blank for restructive funds. That year ending June 30, 2002, there was $1,41,873 in fund. The $8.75 per month collected for bond retirement from July 1, 2002. through October 2004 was not needed because of surplus.

My figures come to between $517 and $587 overcharge of the 3,565 Sewer Department customers billed. James Ellison was supervisor at this time and treasurer of the fund. Supervisor David Bone is now treasurer of funds.

I gave the Stookey clerk a letter about the matter that was given to board members to read at the July 2 meeting. A financial report of bond funds are to be given to board members each year.

Come to the March 4 board meeting at 5:30 p.m. It's your money.

Thomas W. Kroupa

Belleville