03032004 - News Article - Trustee says he won't rescind counseling contract - ROBERT CANTRELL

Trustee says he won't rescind counseling contract
NWI Times
Mar 3, 2004
nwitimes.com/news/local/trustee-says-he-won-t-rescind-counseling-contract/article_527fa726-d321-500d-9f06-2d7cb30c6937.html
HIGHLAND -- North Township Trustee Gregory Cvitkovich told his governing board in no uncertain terms Tuesday that he has no intention of rescinding a contract with the Hammond-based Addiction and Family Care clinic for counseling services to township employees.

The stance was taken after Cvitkovich said he is not under investigation by federal agents, nor is anyone in his office. Cvitkovich said two state police officers visited the township offices, but handed over no subpoenas.

It appears they are on a "wild-goose chase" that was kicked off by a "disgruntled employee," Cvitkovich said. "If there is a criminal investigation going on, I hope they get to the top of it."

The $30,000-a-year contract that Addiction and Family Care holds with the North Township Trustee came into question after The Times confirmed two agents of a special task force investigating vote fraud in East Chicago and Schererville visited the township trustee offices asking about the role former East Chicago GOP Chairman Robert Cantrell, who is on the North Township payroll, had with Addiction and Family Care.

The counseling agency is operated by Nancy Fromm, a certified counselor with political lineage in Hammond and ties to several political campaigns, among them former Schererville Judge Deborah Riga and Cantrell's daughter, Lake Superior Judge Julie Cantrell. Fromm has told The Times she paid a referral fee to Cantrell for clients he helped direct to the center.

North Township Board member Frank Mrvan also held firm Tuesday on the position that the sessions should not be mandatory and should not involve massages.

Mrvan said the chair massages, which the agency said are offered to demonstrate therapeutic value of massage in stress management classes, are a waste of taxpayer money.

Cvitkovich, however, said the township isn't billed for the massages. Rather, Fromm said she pays for the massages out of her own pocket -- citing a $750 massage gift for the township in the past year. Mrvan called that argument "ridiculous" because the agency bills the township a flat $2,500 per month, whether a massage is provided or not.

"You should eliminate the massages because it's wrong," Mrvan said. "They're getting these on taxpayers' time, and I want money (to be) more efficiently spent."

Fromm's contract comes up for renewal in September.

Meanwhile, Mrvan asked to see pricing for each program the agency offers.

Agency workers, in turn, invited Mrvan and other members of the board to attend a stress management session, noting, "You look like you could use a massage."