Cvitkovich faces, answers critics
Scandal, Township Board chairman challenge North Township Trustee
NWI Times
Mar 16, 2003
nwitimes.com/news/state-and-regional/cvitkovich-faces-answers-critics/article_de6efe5d-4eea-517b-9fa5-03930459d38b.html
HAMMOND -- A Lake County grand jury investigation, rumors of federal probes and a challenge from within his advisory board have put North Township Trustee Gregory Cvitkovich on the defensive.
A County prosecutor's office subpoena for township records sat among the jumble of papers on Cvitkovich's ample desk last week as he explained that he won't tolerate efforts by critics to portray his office as a political playground. "What I have are disgruntled employees who are upset that I make them work," he said.
He said Friday he will cooperate with a county grand jury looking into allegations Robert Cantrell used his position as a township employee to recruit candidates to run in the May 6 primary election.
Cvitkovich said Friday Cantrell has retained a lawyer, but denies the allegations against him. Cvitkovich said he has trouble believing the accusations.
Frank Mrvan Jr., chairman of the three-member Township Board that controls the purse strings on the township's $7 million annual budget, said he intends to investigate the Cantrell matter himself.
Mrvan said he also hopes to put in place policies that prohibit township employees from political activity on township time and property.
"If the allegations are true, obviously the township needs to take measures. What we are going to do is put an emergency meeting together and make recommendations," Mrvan said.
Richard Novak, another new Township Board member, said, "It's under investigation and you really can't say for sure whether he's done it or not. As far as policy goes, I'm not sure if we have the right to do that, but we can bring it up at a meeting. I don't believe anyone should be getting paid if they are doing something else beside their own job."
Township Board member Peter Auksel said he supports Cvitkovich's administration and won't get involved in the Cantrell matter.
A source in the office said there also may be questions raised about why the township paid $27,500 last year to Peter Manous, who was Indiana Democratic chairman until his departure last month in the face of reports federal labor officials are probing his role in questionable land dealings at Porter County's Coffee Creek development.
Cvitkovich said the township contracted with Manous two years ago at a fee of $2,500 a month to recruit investors who would build a hotel and recreation center in the township's Wicker Park. Cvitkovich said it's his dream to generate enough revenues from a private/public venture to help alleviate the township's property tax burden.
Auksel said the contract to Manous was not a political favor, because Manous is qualified and has provided a legitimate service to explore the commercial possibilities at the park's Ridge Road and Indianapolis Boulevard corner. Cvitkovich said Manous has ended his association with the township since last month.
Novak said, "As Board Chairman I never want to see that happen. I want Wicker Park to remain a war memorial, a golf course and place for families to picnic. I don't want it used by private investor looking for a profit."
The political turmoil is unusual for the township. Auksel said Cvitkovich and the previous Township Board worked quietly and harmoniously during the previous four years.
Mrvan claims that cozy relationship bred the current scandal.
Cantrell 's position with the township became the subject of controversy last week about who injected the names of Woodrow Rancifer Jr., a poor relief recipient, and Dorothy Jeanne Johnson into the spring primary as Democrats running against incumbent East Chicago City Clerk Mary Morris Leonard.
Leonard filed a complaint with the Lake County Board of Election and Registration this month alleging the two were paid money by Cantrell to run.
An affidavit signed by Rancifer claims he met Cantrell Feb. 13 in a township office. He said Cantrell, who he had known for 20 years, was on duty, but called him into a private office where Johnson already was seated.
It alleges he gave the two candidacy applications and had them fill it out and promised to pay them both for the favor. It alleges Rancifer received an undisclosed amount of money.
He later recanted his candidacy, saying he knew nothing about the office for which he was supposed to be running. The County Election Board removed Rancifer and Johnson last week from the ballot, because they each have been convicted of a felony, making them ineligible to hold office.
Mrvan said he wants to know what Cantrell, who was East Chicago Republican chairman until his resignation last month, does for the township.
Cantrell couldn't be reached for comment. He was East Chicago Republican chairman until his resignation last month at the insistence of Republican activists who claim Cantrell was really a Democrat in disguise.
Cvitkovich said Friday he is complying with the prosecutor's investigation and will hand over time sheets showing Cantrell is working regular hours.
He said there are no other work records, because Cantrell isn't a poor relief investigator whose activities are tracked in weekly reports.
"He's a supervisor. He brings in people who are in need of township services. He knows the streets," Cantrell said.
Cvitkovich said he knows Cantrell has a reputation for being an activist. "He's a political animal," Cvitkovich said.
He said the township already has rules in place preventing the type of political activity being alleged. He issued a memo last summer that forbids employees from coercing township clients, accepting or giving money or personal gifts "to clients, vendors or anyone else."
Cvitkovich and Auksel both said they are concerned Mrvan is demanding public meetings to use as a forum to criticize the township operation.
Mrvan, who only took office in January, said he is calling for another meeting to discuss a situation he believes is out of control.
"(Cvitkovich) prides himself on running that place with an iron fist. He can't have it both ways," Mrvan said. "I'm trying to improve a place that is riddled with FBI, state police (investigations) and many things that have been going on there that need to change.
"By law, we can only make recommendations to Greg on what our thoughts are, but if he doesn't listen to our opinions, then the budget and salaries will reflect that. That is our leverage.
"It's an atrocity if someone allegedly came in asking for aid and this is what transpired. But, it's not that we want to persecute Mr. Cantrell. It's about the philosophy of what goes on at the township office."
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