Lawsuit vs. auditor may be first of many

On June 9, Steven Humphrey commented online that last year’s Dixon city audit report stated, “He [the auditor, Mr. Card] states that he was not able to make qualified statements regarding the internal controls for Dixon’s annual audit.”

I personally have not seen the audit report, but if the aforementioned quote is correct, then the law firm hired by Mayor Jim Burke may have a rough time getting a judgment against either auditor.

However, maybe the city is litigating against the wrong people. If all the audit reports said something similar, then for at least the past 12 years, Burke and his team have been negligent. In fact, all finance folks that presided over an audit report containing that wording seemed to be negligent.

Unfortunately, this is why the commission form of government has not been a good idea for 30 years. It’s not good in Lee County, and it’s not good in Dixon.

However, if you are bent on polishing your ego (it’s my belief that few sit on these boards and commissions for altruistic reasons), then you should stand up and take the responsibility when something goes wrong.

Mayor Burke and the current and previous council members – it’s your turn. Start the process now to hire an independent city manager – a city manager that you will let do his or her job. If you choose not to take this prudent action, I can’t imagine someone will not start a fund to cover costs to start negligence litigation against all current and past council members.

Remember, if there is a case, some high-powered ambulance chaser from Chicago will step in and take the case on contingency. Mr. Burke, step down or step up.