Former Galesburg Treasurer says city is acting illegally

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It’s been a year and a half since Elisha French resigned after several months as Galesburg City Treasurer. French claims the city just doesn’t care about the office and that the Mayor doesn’t care either about appointing a replacement.

French Wednesday wrote a letter to the city council about the problem and obtained by WGIL. French tells us what the city is doing is illegal.

“There are certain laws, including all of the ordinances in regards to the Treasurer’s office, which echo laws with the State of Illinois, that are not being fulfilled and haven’t been fulfilled adequately,” says French.  “I think that raises a question of giving less accountability, through the elimination of that office, less accountability to the managerial side of the administration.”

More or less, City Finance Director Gloria Osborn has been acting as treasurer but hasn’t been appointed to the post that French said when he ran he wanted to see eliminated — but now claims might need to stay in tact.

French says he’s tried to talk to both Mayor John Pritchard and City Manager Todd Thompson to no avail. French sent his letter to members of the City Council, but not to Pritchard.  Pritchard says he received the letter anyway, and says the city is acting well within the law.

“We are in compliance with the rules,” says Pritchard, “and [we] probably want to assure the public that the financial functions of the city — they’re being audited, they’re being carried out.  People should have confidence in the work that’s being done.  Most cities like Galesburg do not have a paid treasurer’s position, do not have an elected treasurer’s position.”

Pritchard says with an election a few weeks away, he thinks French’s timing is politically-motivated, as he’s worked with an aldermanic candidate for re-election.  French denies that allegation.

Hear more from French Thursday at 5pm on Galesburg’s Evening News, and hear more from Pritchard Friday at 5pm on Galesburg’s Evening News.

NOTE:  Pritchard owns WGIL, but was asked by the station to respond to French’s allegations, and has never influenced any decision-making in terms of news coverage or air time.

(File photo)

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