South Cook News

Grace Bardusk wants to know how the Bremen Tax Cut Party does its math.

In a recent two-page flier, the group boasted that it had “saved taxpayers over $300,000” and “increased the opportunities and services to Bremen Township youth and families.”

“$300,000 saved where?” Bardusk, a candidate for Bremen Township assessor and part of the Bremen Families First slate, asked the South Cook News.

According to data, Bremen Township taxes increased by 4.71 percent from 2014 to 2015 and in the previous year by 8.97 percent.

Bardusk also doubted the claim that the group had helped area youth. She said during a township board meeting, a resident asked what the money that had been cut from youth and family mental health counseling services had been used for, but got no clear, concise response.

The flier also touted the Bremen Senior Wheels, which it said had provided thousands of trips for seniors to go to medical appointments, grocery shopping and more.

Bardusk said she was unaware that there was a senior community van.

“I have never ever seen the van around town,” she said. “I did check with someone, and it is kept in a garage.”

She also said she was told the driver allegedly has a “drinking problem.”

As for the senior programs, Bardusk said the township had allotted nearly $1 million for services but has little to show for it.

“We don’t know really what senior activities there are other than bingo and show and tell and a foot doctor,” she said. “Of the $953,00 allotted for budget, only $139,636 was actually used for these programs. Where did the remaining $814,164 go? Well, $497,674 for salaries alone.”

Bardusk, who was township assessor from 2009 to 2013, said transparency is needed.  She said the Bremen Families First group has made Freedom of Information requests to the board, but they take 10 days and don’t answer what has been asked.

Bardusk said her main reason for running to regain her position is to serve the people, “not a party nor one person.”