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The Review
November 12, 2013 U.S. Navy
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Lanark High grad at center of Navy bribery scandal BY PAM EGGEMEIER
A former Lanark resident who escaped the Cambodian Killing Fields and went on to U.S. Navy b e c o m e a Commander Michael respected U . S . N a v y Vannak Khem o f f i c e r Misiewicz has been charged in a high-profile bribery scheme that involved allegations of kickbacks that included prostitutes and luxury travel. U.S. Navy Commander Michael Vannak Khem Misiewicz, 46, was arrested in Colorado Sept. 16, along with John Bertrand Beliveau II, 44, a special agent for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. The men were charged in separate incidents with taking bribes from Leonard Glenn Francis, CEO of Singapore-based Glenn Defense Marine Asia, a multinational defense contractor, according to a news release from the U.S. Justice Department. Francis also was arrested Sept. 16. The criminal complaints say that Francis gave Misiewicz expensive trips, prostitute services, and even Lady Gaga concert tickets in exchange for confidential information and assistance in helping him procure hundreds of millions of dollars in Navy contracts. Beliveau is charged in a separate bribery case involving Francis in which he received similar
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perks for giving the Glenn Defense CEO information about an NCIS fraud investigation into his business with the Navy. Glenn Defense provides a variety of services to the Navy, including coordinating, scheduling and procuring goods and services needed by ships and submarines when they arrive at port. The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges that Misiewicz used his position as deputy operations officer of the U.S. Seventh Fleet to arrange for Navy ships to visit ports where Glenn Defense provided services. Glenn Defense bilked the Navy out of $10 million in just one year in Thailand alone, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Misiewicz was at the center of several feel-good stories reported at various times by many media outlets. Born in Cambodia, he was adopted in 1973 by a Freeport woman, Maryna Misiewicz, who was then serving in the Army in Phnom Penh. Misiewicz brought him to the United States, just before the Khmer Rouge took over Cambodia. Maryna Misiewicz retired from the Army in 1976, and has a long history of working with and volunteering in many Stephenson County-area veterans programs. In 2010, Misiewicz also made news in an emotional reunion with family members while his ship was on Navy business in Cambodia. Misiewicz graduated from Lanark High School in 1986. In addition to being a good student, Misiewicz was a member of
the conference champion Lanark varsity football team that went 9-0 and made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs before losing to Carthage High School. After graduation, Misiewicz enlisted in the Navy. He received a bachelor of arts degree in marine engineering and a master’s in space systems. He eventually worked at the Pentagon for the head of naval operations. He married Marcy Rahn, also a Lanark High graduate. They have three children, and the family was based in suburban Washington. Misiewicz came back to Lanark this year to give a Memorial Day address at the high school. According to a story in The (Freeport) JournalStandard, Maryna Misiewicz threw a party in Freeport, on Aug. 10, 2008, to celebrate her son’s new assignment as captain of the Navy Destroyer USS Kidd. On that day, his proud mother was quoted as saying: “I am so excited. I knew he was a smart child, and that he would do well in the Navy, but I had no idea he would ever command a ship. I am just really proud of what he has accomplished. He’s just become a wonderful man.” Misiewicz, Beliveau and Francis are officially charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, which carries a maximum prison term of 5 years. Misiewicz will face charges in federal court.
Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
Liam VanDeraa, 17, a student at Bureau Valley High School, and her mom, Suzanne, speak with Robert Herling of the Art Institutes. The two were visiting schools Tuesday evening as part of Sauk Valley Community College’s annual College Night. Story on Page 2
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The Review
2 • To advertise, call (800) 798-4085
November 12, 2013
Taking a look beyond high school About 400 area students flock to Sauk for annual College Night BY CHRISTI WARREN
DIXON – Natalie Espinoza and her mom Kim stand together in front of the table for CulverStockton College, eagerly looking over brochures and pamphlets handed to them by the well dressed recruiter standing across the table. Natalie is 15 and a student at Sterling High School. Her mother didn’t go to college until recently, when she attended Sauk Valley Community College, home of the gym where they’re standing. Together, the two like to watch shows like “Law & Order,” which, Natalie admits, sparked her interest in looking into the study of criminal justice. This is her first time attending a college recruitment event, but it’s always been something on the horizon. Having Natalie attend college is a top priority for Kim. “It’s just me and her,” Kim says. “That’s my one thing. I want her to go to college. I don’t want her
to work in the factory like me. I want better for her.” This year’s College Night, sponsored by SVCC and local high schools, brought representatives from 73 colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and the military from around the country to the Sauk Valley for anyone interested in wanting to learn about what opportunities exist after high school. The event, this year coordinated by Sauk recruiters Taylor Jiminez and Sarah Partington, and administrative assistant Ella Payne, is an annual one – and very well attended. Last year, Jiminez says, 350 goodie bags were made and it wasn’t enough. This year 400 were made, and by 6:10 p.m., 10 minutes after the event started, they’re already running low. On the other side of the gym from Kim and her mom is the table for The Art Institutes; it’s drawing quite a crowd. The mother-
and-son pair at the front of the line are Suzanne and Liam VanDeraa. Liam is 17 and a student at Bureau Valley High School. His interests, clearly, lie in the arts: graphic design and photography, mostly. He spends a lot of his spare time designing album covers for metal bands from across the country and in Canada, he explains, and is enrolled at a program at Bureau Valley that allows him to spend half his day there and half his day at Whiteside Area Career Center, where he earns college credit for the courses he takes. His mother didn’t attend college, so Liam’s doing so has always been important to her, she says. At the end of the night, with all the students gone and brochures packed away, Jiminez says that the number of attendees hovered around 400. “It’s great,” Jiminez says. “It’s great for us. It’s great for everybody.”
Photos by Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com
ABOVE: Representatives from 73 colleges, universities, vocational-technical schools, and the military were on hand at the annual College Night on Tuesday at Sauk Valley Community College. LEFT: Natalie Espinoza, 15, and mother, Kim, of Sterling, speak with Matt Parker, a representative of Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Mo.
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The Review
November 12, 2013
To advertise, call (800) 798-4085 • 3
COLOMA TOWNSHIP
Little said about financial problems Board meets day after official takes blame, adds trustee BY DAVID GIULIANI dgiuliani@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 525
ROCK FALLS – Coloma Township’s board of trustees met Thursday, a day after its supervisor took blame for the township’s financial problems and admitted she’s not good with math. The board held a scheduled meeting to fill a
vacancy on the board, but nothing was said during the session about Supervisor Debra Burke’s statements. She presided over the meeting. Afterward, Gene Jacoby, a township trustee for more than 35 years, declined to speak about the issues, saying repeatedly “no comment” to a reporter. Another trustee, Mary Richardson, said Coloma’s finances were a “work in progress.” The township, she said, would have answers once the audit is done.
T r u s t ee Peggy McFadden said a day earlier that Coloma’s books were Walter a mess. Neal At the meeting, the trustees considered three candidates – Pam Henderson, Don Koehler and Walter Neal – for the position left vacant by longtime Trustee Bob Sondgeroth, who resigned in September. Jacoby asked Neal, who was at the meeting,
whether he planned to run for the office in the next township election, set for April 2017. “That needs to be asked,” Jacoby said. Neal said he would. Jacoby backed Koehler’s candidacy. “He has a real fine idea about what needs to be done,” Jacoby said. “He’s a really steady person.” The vote was a tie between Neal and Koehler. Jacoby and Richardson voted for Koehler, while McFadden and Burke backed Neal, a
former Riverdale school board member. Township Clerk Pamela Erby broke the tie in favor of Neal. In a later interview, Neal said he would study the issues. “I’m on the outside. It’s hard to make a comment right off the bat,” he said. Coloma Township hasn’t submitted a financial report to the state comptroller’s office – something every government entity is required to do annually – since 2009. Every other
taxing body in Whiteside County has done so, including the other 21 townships, all but one of which are smaller than Coloma. The township also has been late – sometimes by years – publishing required financial reports in the newspaper. When Coloma finally has published reports, they have been riddled with errors. In the Wednesday interview about the problems, Burke said, “It’s all on me.”
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STERLING
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STERLING – A Rock Falls woman was arrested Thursday in connection with a robbery that occurred last month
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The Review
November 12, 2013
dixon | economic development
Meeting sparks look into city’s future Group needed to address city’s ‘wants’ BY MATT MENCARINI
DIXON – Dixon’s future was the topic of discussion Thursday afternoon in the lower level of Loveland Community Building. The Lee County Industrial Development Association held an economic development strategic planning symposium, which was led by businessman and author Jack Schultz, in an effort to revitalize the organization and form an image of Dixon’s future. Schultz, who is the author of “Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns,” started the symposium with the business and city government leaders listing Dixon’s strengths and then listing what they wish the city had. Among the more than two dozen strengths was a highly rated hospital, the riverfront, the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan, Interstates 88 and 39, the Petunia Festival and historic down-
SVM file photo
Jack Schultz, author of “Boomtown USA: The 7 1/2 Keys to Big Success in Small Towns,” speaks to a large group of community members Oct. 3, 2012, about helping small towns succeed by following the steps in his book. Schultz started a symposium Thursday by having business and city government leaders list Dixon’s strengths and then what they wish the city had. town. The wants, or “wish list,” included increased internship opportunities to keep young residents in Dixon, more higherpaying jobs, mass transit to Chicago and an entertainment or sports venue to increase the tourist
draw. Bridging the gap between the strengths and the wants, Schultz said, starts with, “setting out some goals like this and identifying the issues that you want to work on. And developing a plan of attack, of how you’re
going to accomplish that.” To get the city to the wants listed Thursday, Schultz said, a group of people committed to “doing what it takes” is needed. The group doesn’t need to be large, he said.
Schultz was clear about his role as a facilitator, and wouldn’t speak to what direction he thought Dixon should be taken. “I don’t think I should come in from the outside and recommend what the community should
do,” he said. “It’s a thing that should grow from within the community. ... And that’s why we’re doing this [symposium], for the community to identify it. All I’m doing is acting as the facilitator to try and get some ideas on the floor.” Among the nearly 75 attendees was David Nord, the finalist for the city administrator position. Nord’s hire is expected to be approved by the City Council during a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The symposium and the discussion of Dixon’s future were part of an effort by the development association’s board to re-energize itself and the Dixon economy, said president and CEO John Thompson. “The board is an older board. It’s been around a long time,” he said. “Even though we’ve accomplished a lot, we’re kind of at an opportune time, we feel, where it’s a good idea to re-energize what the group’s doing, maybe refocus, getting some more new folks involved to freshen up our pool of ideas.”
rock falls
Man, 59, in serious condition after crash BY CHRISTI WARREN
ROCK FALLS – A Rock Falls man was in serious condition in a Rockford hospital on Wednesday
after being injured in a Tuesday car crash on the west side of Sterling. Michael Locey, 59, was driving west on West LeFevre Road just before
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The Review
November 12, 2013
To advertise, call (800) 798-4085 • 5
dixon | the crundwell aftermath
Ballot question; money saver Settlement money to help repay bonds early, save $3.8 million
Council supports choice, not change in form of government BY MATT MENCARINI
DIXON – The Dixon City Council might not support a switch to the city manager form of government, but it wants to give citizens that option. At a special meeting Wednesday, the council unanimously approved an ordinance to place a referendum on the November 2014 general election ballot so that voters can choose the city’s form of government. While the commissioners fully support citizens’ right to vote on the issue, they don’t necessarily support the potential change. A mayor-appointed task force had recommended the ballot question. Commissioners Dennis Considine and Colleen Brechon said they opposed the change to establish a city manager. “I want to thank the task force, with due respect, for everything they’ve done,” Considine said. “And I don’t want anyone to misconstrue the fact that I’m voting to put this on the ballot, that I’m any way in favor of changing the form of the Dixon city government.” Brechon said she believed the city manager form of government gives too much control to a single person. “It’s my strong belief in the voter process, which is why I’m willing to put my name behind this ordinance,” she said. “I’m of the belief we need a [city] administrator but not a [city] manager. I think that too much control will be in the hand of one person, which we’ve already had a bit of experience with. And I just don’t like that idea anymore.” The governmental task force, which was appointed by Mayor Jim Burke and approved by the City Council to determine the best form of government for Dixon, released its formal recommendation in August in a document copied to the mayor and each commissioner. The task force, which studied various
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forms of city government beginning in May, was established after the Rita Crundwell scandal. The task force recommended that the City Council let citizens decide which form of government was best by asking this question on the November 2014 ballot: “Shall the city of Dixon adopt the managerial form of municipal government?” “I don’t really have a firm position on it,” Burke said. “I really don’t.” The mayor said he’s “fine with however it goes” and thinks Dixon residents will be taking a good, long look at both options during the next 12 months. He added that he thought it might be a good idea to have some presentations to inform residents about both options. Commissioner Jeff Kuhn also said he’s not sure where he stands on the decision, and wants to give David Nord a year to prove himself and to see how that role fits with the city government. Nord is expected to be hired by the City Council as Dixon’s first city administrator during a special meeting Nov. 12. “I really think we need leadership up here – be it a manager, be it an administrator,” Kuhn said. “Right now, we’ve never had either. And we need to get some track record first. ... It’s just too early to make a call.” Nord’s contract, which was placed on file Monday night, will be available for public review until Nov. 12, when the City Council is expected to hire him. He would start the job the next day. Commissioner Dave Blackburn said he doesn’t think he needs to voice an opinion that might influence citizens. Instead, he said he’ll “lay low” and make his vote on Election Day. “I’m going to remain neutral on it,” he said.
BY MATT MENCARINI
DIXON – The city will save nearly $4 million under an agreement with Midland States Bank, which has agreed to allow an early payoff of three bonds. The bonds were issued in 2008, 2010 and 2011 and, under the bond arrangements, couldn’t be paid off any sooner than 2018, 2020 and 2021, respectively, Finance Director Paula Meyer said Wednesday. But after Meyer and Commissioner Dave Blackburn met a few weeks ago with Jeffrey Lovett, the bank’s regional market president, the bank agreed to let the city pay off the bonds now, saving about $3.87 million in interest. The bank had no obligation to allow the early payment, Meyer said, but the city approached the bank because officials believed taxpayers deserved to have the city try. Lovett knew what the city was going to ask before he ever sat down with Meyer and Blackburn. “When I read the newspapers and saw the settlement, I assumed they were discussing ways to rebuild some captial and reduce the debt,” Lovett said. Instead of holding to the original agreement, or negotiating, Lovett said he agreed to let the city pay off the bonds, and that it was an “easy decision,” adding that Midland States Bank is a community bank and wants to be a part of the Dixon community in the good times and the bad. Sauk Valley Bank also had about $1 million of the bond amount and also agreed to let the city pay it back early, Lovett said. The city will pay off the bonds with funds received in a lawsuit settlement in the matter of former Comptroller Rita Crundwell,
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Meyer said. Crundwell is serving a term of nearly 20 years in federal prison for stealing more than $53 million from the city over two decades. The balance on the bonds at the end of October was $12,316,000, Meyer said, adding that the total repayment would have been $16,184,610. Meyer and Blackburn didn’t expect the bank to agree to an early payoff, but were hoping for a chance to negotiate, Meyer said. The agreement was, in a sense, a gift to the city, Lovett said, adding that not only does the bank have offices in Dixon, but employees who live in the city. Paying off that external debt was a “must,” Meyer had said when talking about use of $40 million the city will receive from the settlement. On Monday, the Dixon City Council approved the allocation of $8,678,083 – of the $14 million the city has received so far – to pay interfund loans, which is money it had borrowed from its own operating funds. The city should receive the remainder of the $40 million by Thanksgiving and have proceeds from the sale of Crundwell’s property by the end of the year, Meyer said Monday. If Midland hadn’t agreed to the early payoff, Meyer said, she had another plan to save the city some money. Meyer had planned to put about $14.5 million from the settlement in U.S. Treasury bonds, an investment she expected would have yielded more than $1.6 million. The agreement with Midland States Bank will allow the city to save more than twice what Meyer had hoped to realize from the investment.
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$26 Deal
Advertise 1 item for under $300 5 14 14 Lines Days Days in Sauk Valley Classifieds Online Special must be mentioned at time of ad placement. Item must be priced under $300. 1 Item per ad. Private Party ads only. No Commercial Advertising, Pets, Rummage Sales, Wood/Fuel, Tickets/Travel or Real Estate. Offer Expires 12/31/13 LASSIFIEDS
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dailyGAZETTE
TELEGRAPH
Real Deal
5 LINES FOR 30 DAYS - $38
for items over $300 Includes: Telegraph, Gazette, The Review, 4 Ogle County Papers and Sauk Valley.com Advertise 1 item over $300 for 30 days! saukvalley.com & Sauk Valley Classifieds
Item must be priced over $300. 1 Item per ad. Private Party ads only. No Commercial Advertising, Pets, Rummage Sales, Wood/Fuel, Tickets/Travel or Real Estate.
Offer Expires December 31, 2013
Special must be mentioned at time of ad placement.
CLASSIFIEDS SAUK VALLEY dailyGAZETTE
TELEGRAPH
• To place any line ad in the next day’s classifieds, please call before 4:00pm Monday - Friday • To place any line ad in the SVWeekend’s classifieds, please call before Noon on Friday. • To place any line ad in Monday’s classifieds, please call before 4:00pm on Friday.
Sauk Valley Classifieds
Sterling Office 815/626-SOLD (7653) Dixon Office 815/284-SOLD (7653)