From the Northwest Herald

Park board denies conflict
By TOM MUSICK
HUNTLEY – Park district leaders could decide this week whether to buy playground equipment from a company represented by Village President Chuck Sass.
Parks officials said they were seeking to buy the best equipment at the most reasonable price and that Sass’ position would have no effect on their decision.
“The park district and the village are two separate entities,” park district Director Thom Palmer said. “We have an excellent working relationship with them to serve our common residents.
“But beyond that, we are two separate entities.”
Several companies have bid for the project, which would replace older equipment at the north end of Deicke Park. The park district’s board budgeted $70,000 for the upgrade.
Sass is a sales representative for Team REIL in Union, which submitted the lowest bid. His sales territory includes McHenry and Kane counties.
Palmer said that in separate proposals Team REIL bid $67,141 and $67,699 for the project. Other companies’ bids included NuToys Leisure Products at $67,200, Recreation Concepts at $69,999 and Parkreation at $70,000.
Sass attended park district meetings, along with sales representatives from other companies, to answer questions from the park board.
“To me, it all boils down to the lowest responsible bidder,” Sass said. “There’s no improprieties.
“I don’t put any pressure on them.”
Park board President William Awe said proposals varied for the project. He said the board would not necessarily select the lowest bid as long as its choice fit within the budget.
Awe said the board could select a company for the project at its meeting Wednesday.
“I hope so, but I don’t want to force my board into making a decision,” Awe said. “This is a big decision. This is a lot of money.”
In December, park board members drew scrutiny when they awarded a concession contract for Pinecrest Golf Course’s food services to Niko Kanakaris, a village trustee. Kanakaris owns Niko’s Grill & Pub in Huntley, along with restaurants in Wasco and Algonquin.
Palmer said the park board was not influenced by either official’s role with the village.
“The goal for the park district is to provide the best service or product to our residents,” Palmer said. “In both cases, I think the residents will be very well served.”