The race for Berrien County Drain Commissioner is getting heated and accusations of false information are flying.
Hagar Township Supervisor Izzy DiMaggio has been publicly outspoken about having to file Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the current Drain Commissioner Christopher Quattrin to get to the bottom of recent drain assessments.
According to the invoices DiMaggio received, of the $58,722 worth of bills, 26% of that was for actual work on drains. The rest, according to the documents, went to attorneys, consultants, and equipment rental.
“He’s not telling the truth, okay? He’s charging us for things that we don’t know anything about and I question whether or not they’re legitimate charges. So yeah, I have a big problem with a public servant that will not respond to questions,” said DiMaggio.
Quattrin – who is running for re-election, spoke to the matter during the WSJM Morning Show. He was asked why the township supervisor had to file FOIA requests to better understand their drain bills.
“Because that’s the process. That’s the process. That’s how it is. If someone comes and says, ‘We have to have a record,’ that’s the way it works,” said Quattrin.
Quattrin went on to say DiMaggio received the information he was looking for, even before filing FOIAs, but refused to admit that.
“It’s very disappointing. I think Izzy should just go to confession. I really do. I think, you know, because what he was saying is just untrue,” said Quattrin.
Three Republicans are vying for Drain Commissioner – Quattrin, Mark Krieger, and George McManus. Since there is no Democrat in the race, it will essentially be decided on August 6. DiMaggio, a former drain commissioner, has publicly endorsed McManus.
