It's unfortunate that rather than manning up and accepting responsibility for his glaring lapse in ethical judgement, Mr. Burns is choosing to take a page from his paid campaign consultant's (former KC Chronicle vitriol scribe Bill Page) storied playbook & attempting to deflect criticism of his own actions by attacking his accuser.

To attempt to shrug off what clearly appears to be a blatant misuse of a taxpayer funded email account, as simply a "technical snafu," is laughable at best. It might be a plausible explanation if we were talking about an isolated incident or two, but we're not. These are 116pages of emails to and from Mr. Burns' taxpayer funded email account dating back from around August 2011 to present!

"SNAFU" - "Situation Normal, all fouled up" (yes, different word used for the "F")
Bing Dictionary definition of "snafu" -- "bad situation caused by incompetence" and "to cause a situation or process to become confused or delayed, generally by incompetence"

After reading this article, and reading Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns' quote of "I acknowledge the technical snafu, and I was glad it was brought to my attention," that definition of "snafu" begged me to stress the real meaning of Burns' statement. "Caused by incompetence" resonates a little too much when the word "snafu" is used in any context.

Since Burns kicked off his campaign for the Republican nomination for Kane County Board Chairman, he has prided himself on "executive experience" as a reason to set himself apart from his opponent, State Senator Chris Lauzen. The points Jon Zahm brought up today through his FOIA request raise multiple questions, including Burns' administrative competence, not to mention, the possible illegal use of city of Geneva assets for political purposes.

Jon Zahm deserves credit for using FOIA to uncover the issues with Burns' use of the city of Geneva e-mail. I was going to be satisfied with Burns' acceptance of responsibility, as documented in this article, until I read his response to the Daily Herald, comparing Zahm with disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick.

Burns' own words and actions reaffirms my support and vote for Chris Lauzen for county board chairman.

I'm glad we got to see the scumbags for what they are. Most people with a thimble full of character would shudder to see what really goes on with these good 'ol boys....It ain't pretty!
In a corrupt world which leaves me justifiably and unalterably jaded, Chris Lauzen is a bright spot. I say that after knowing him for 15-20 years or so and seeing his character up close.
You would never ever find these kinds of back scene trash scenes in a Lauzen administration...not in a million years. It would be about us...the citizens. He would represent us, not his ego!!

Now I don't have to worry about making sure that the good people of Kane County know what kind of person Kevin Burns is. I first met Kevin at the Red Ribbon Celebration and Expo in Geneva. When I asked Kevin when he was going to submit an ordinance banning synthetic drugs to the Geneva City Council, he told me that I need to talk to the police chief. I told Kevin that Aurora mayor, Tom Weisner, proposed the first ordinance banning synthetic drugs in the western suburbs. Kevin said "No, not my job". Apparently, he thought that it was my job! By the way, I live in Aurora. A month or two later, I sent Kevin an email letting him know that I was contacted by a Geveva resident concerned about his inaction with regard to a ban. He responded that it would be a waste of taxpayer resource. He also said that all of the retailers had agreed not to sell synthetic drugs. I explained the reasons why bans are effective tools for law enforcement even with state and federal legislation. A few weeks later, I learned that while an undercover officer was in one of those stores, a young person made a purchase of synthetic marijuana. What timing! Unfortunately, this was before the Illinois ban and with no ban in effect, there was no course of action for the officer. Geneva finally got their ban dispute the objections of their mayor. The good people of Geneva deserved to know the truth about why they were the last town in the area to get a ban on synthetic drugs. Karen Dobner

If Mr Burns had any sense of decency he would step down from office.
His thirst for power won't allow that.
Mr Burns, I suggest you read the following poem and decide what type of man you really are.

When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife
Whose judgment upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

What he did was illegal and he should resign. It wasn't an accident, or oversight. That would be one or two emails, not 116! I'm betting though that his ego won't let him admit he did anything wrong. As for the others, they have been an embarrassment to the Republican party for quite a while now. Just take a look at Nottke's behavior in Jeff Wards article "A Great Debate Right Here in Downtown Geneva" And these emails show what type of people they really are. Chicago politics has come to Kane County. Time to clean it up!

What about the Mayor's city's cell phone records? How many polictical phone calls did he make with it? Instead of parading around the county in that not so green friendly bus, maybe invest in a private laptop and private cell phone so transparency isn't so available to the public.

Maybe I'm in the minority here. But I have to ask - don't *both candidates have better things to do than either send snarky emails or ferret out said snarky emails? I realize that Zahm says that Lauzen didn't know about the press conference, but he is part of the Lauzen campaign.
Should Burns be using his public email for this? No.
Does the Lauen campaign really not have any other, more pertinent issues to adress than this? It looks like no, too.
This just once again proves the old saw that the truly smart folks don't get into politics.

Burns should resign because he is no better than the guy who stole $24,000. He's using email and a Blackberry paid by the taxpayers for his own personal gain.

Also, even without a FOIA request, email is not secure! Encrypt it if you don't want the possibility of someone other than the intended recipient to read it. Users have a misconception when it comes to the security of email.

Zahm is the Kane County Conservative Coalition Chairman and ONLY member. Poor John gets himself in trouble again by up-staging the Candidate Lauzen....He was fired for doing the same thing in So.Elgin Mayors campaign.! Smear and Deny!
John should go back to Henry County where he lives and take care of his family.

I'm not a big Kevin Burns fan, but heaven help us all if Chris Lauzen gets elected. I have to say that he is smarter than Burns, in that you'll never see any of his backdoor stuff, he's too good at it.

I'm shocked! shocked, I say1
A person holding office using his office's Email and cell phone for private use! And then making snarky comments to boot! wow!

That's all you got?

Sounds like high crimes. Better lynch the man!

In all seriousness, you call a press conference, in a tavern no less, and then reveal this small town petty crud? You think any candidate is spotless?

Sheesh! I thought there might be something along the lines of Todd Stroger or some other Cook County political brouhaha.

You should rename your group, The Pollyannas.

I can't believe he had a press conference for this. Granted, it would have been better to use a personal email address but the cost of one's email is pretty much fixed -- it doesn't cost more to send and receive more emails -- so it's not as though he "stole" from the taxpayers. I don't know anything about Burns, so maybe he is a jerk -- I'm just saying having a press conference and making a big to-do over this seems like a waste of time. By the way -- as they were taking up all that space at a local tavern, did they even bother to buy a beverage or some food? Or did they just take up space and bother all the would-be customers.

Really people? They all should be ashamed of the themselves; Burns camp to Lauzen’s… these are the issues that they are focusing on? Or “tricking” us as taxpayers into focusing on? Did Burns make a mistake? Conscious or not, as he claims, Yes. Is it really reflective on how he’d be able to run the county? My opinion, No. How many people are reading this now from your offices? How many personal emails have you sent from a work account? A phone plan as we all should be aware in this day and age is generally unlimited, be it two or 116 pages of emails sent. Is it costing Geneva taxpayers any additional? I'd say probably not. Should he pay his own portion of city’s cell bill if he has used it for anything other than city business, sure why not. Yes there is legislation on this but again I ask, really people? Why aren’t we as taxpayers pressing them on the important questions and not buying into this malarkey? For instance, how are they going to handle pensions that continue increase our taxes? I for one as taxpayer think that is way more relevant then who sent who an email and from what account. Stop with the silly slander and Lauzen and Burns and focus on the job at hand.

Patrick Sharpe. A failed 3rd place candidate from Dundee I helped defeat when he ran for State Rep. in 1992. (My candidate finished 2nd, lost to Pat Lindner by less than 200 votes). I was not fired from the South Elgin Mayor's campaign. I was the Manager and Spokesman of that successful race that elected Rick Zirk in 1997. Sharpe and the establishment backed the 28 year incumbent that we defeated, The Kane County Conservative Coalition has many members as I have built it up since 2002. And my family is well taken care of. Rick Nagel, watch this guy, he is a Bill Page style smear artist. He's been after me for years since I helped keep him out of public office in Springfield.

Helen, the state of Illinois has passed very specific ethics laws. Just as any other law involving traffic, gun rights, freedom and speech, drunk driving etc. these laws need to be followed. If you speed you receive a fine.

Many well meaning individuals in the private sector have lost their jobs for posting jokes, conversing with friends or doing outside activities outside the realm of their "workplace." This e-mail address is Mr. Burns' workplace.

I don't know why any particular venue was chosen but I would also question press conferences being held in a half million dollar wind energy bus provided to Mr. Lauzen's opponent.

Justin, I agree that both candidates should be held to the same standard. I am concerned and disappointed as a Geneva resident in the immature content of the mail, the unprofessionalism contained on a city owned e-mail system.

Any call for reforming this local government will most likely be met with hostility, resistance and a bundle of cash thrown in to protect it. We should hold our elected officials to high standards, expect them to slip once in awhile but it should not be on e-mail supported by public resources.

This was a repeated hit of a direction of an e-mail key.Both by those sending and those receiving. They are responsible for the content of those mails. But I hope not to have to support this behavior as a taxpayer.

While I don't disagree that Burns should not be using his public email for personal use - not because of law, or that it may or may not cost taxpayer funds - but because it begs a level of professionalism.

That said, and since Mr. Zahm has chosen to reply in a public forum - does the Lauzen campaign *really have no better and more pertinent issues to focus on than snarky emails? Perhaps a press conference to discuss the future of Kane County? This comes across like childish finger pointing. Someone equated this to Chicago politics, I can unequivocally state that "snarky email" is child's play to a typical Chicago pol.

Some of those exchanges between Burns and Nottke reminded me of the wiretap transcripts of Blago and his wife.

Illinois politics alive and well in Kane County.

Unless I missed something, though, Burns was discussing Mrs. Lauzen's choice of sweater versus Blago's attempt to extort for a Senate seat.

While it's easy to just let this discussion get pulled off course by folks wishing to make this a battle of personal wills - I think it's important to not loose sight of the seriousness of the offense and the fact that high level elected officials & their staffers have resigned amid similar illegal/unethical actions involving taxpayer funded email accounts. Here are a couple recent examples from Illinois:

1.) August 2010: Gov. Quinn's Chief of Staff Jerry Stermer" resigned following disclosures that he used his taxpayer-funded e-mail account to communicate with the governor's political consultant."
http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/08/quinns-chief-of-staff-resigns-amid-email-probe.html

2.) Will County Board member Kathleen Konicki investigated for using her county e-mail account and laptop for political purposes.
http://www.ilcampaign.org/taxonomy/term/2301

The Illinois State Constitution is also crystal clear when it comes to the issue of using taxpayer supported resources:

Article VIII, section 1(a) of the Illinois Constitution states, “Public funds, property or credit shall be used only for public purposes.”

Mr Burns spent the day before the e mail release attempting to provoke press interest in in some completely undocumented negative charges. Mr. Lauzen was in Springfield but Kane Co. received a mailing detailing his plan to reduce spending, assist in mortgage relief and consolidate costs.

For whatever reason the press release stories of Mr. Burns unfounded allegations held prior to the e mail release. This was a charge waged with no evidence. Reforming the entrenched operation in our county isn't always without personal attack and profanity leveled at the Lauzen family, as witnessed by the real documentation itself using public resources.

While I view this political race as pretty much inconsequential, I couldn't help but be taken by the Karl Rovian dig at Mr. Burns. I don't understand how anyone could brand the ten-year mayor of Geneva as a 'Republican Party insider' while acting as a paid political consultant to a twenty year career politician in the Illinois General Assembly. I think I'm starting to understand the trickle down theory as it's applied to politics - take the foolishness that's happening at the national level and see if you can make it work at the local level. Without even having to do any additional research (thanks to Sandy Kaczmarski), it appears that Mr. Lauzen, or his posse, should be very careful with their stone-throwing about ethical behavior.

"Charles Emout" is a phony name. Which is fine with me...except when it's used in a legal setting. The person who used this charade has bigger problems than just playing pretend.
And Karen, take a minute before you issue blanket denials on Lauzen's part. While I admire your loyalty, you owe it to yourself to check some things out.

Chuckie Baby...I wouldn't get too comfortable. You're no "concerned citizen," and using a false name on a legal document has its consequences.

Regardless of the politics, he said –she said, etc. The Mayor committed a crime that has been made public. To Charles’ point, not only is it a crime, it is part of the Illinois constitution.

If any of the taxpayers committed a crime, there would be an investigation and possible prosecution. Is Mr. Burns above the law?

Bill, the last time we talked, in late 2003, you called me a dirty name and falsely accused me of a crime I did not commit and hung up on me. You were convicted of libel costing your employer a judgment of over $3 million. If we ever run for office against each other I would be glad to publicly debate you. Otherwise I am too busy helping elect good, honest conservative candidates against people you associate with like Burns and Nottke.

Sandy and Bill,

The charges made regarding your complaint were dropped. And Mr. Lauzen, who even I admit could bury himself with documentation when he researches a subject is well prepared as always.

In order to be accused of a violation there usually must be some documented proof. If there is no documentation proving this it can be quickly determined if your accusation is without merit. And this is when lawsuits are filed.

To sequestere the press and insinuate something without documentation as foundation of proof is where a slippery slope exists.

My loyalty is to the call for reform. To call for reform without use of material samples (documents ) would be met with more suspicion. If and when documents are produced they are sometimes denied.

I admit I respect Lauzens use oc

In fact sometimes in the heat of political debate those that use documents are even met with hostility. I believe Chris Lauzen has a plan to freeze the tax levy, and much like his Senate counterpart in DuPage hit the ground running with reforms saving taxpayers.

Karen, the charges were not dropped. I have documents supporting that and the complaint was taken very seriously when I filed it. If I were not telling the truth, I could be sued for libel with these comments. But I know the truth, and I know Lauzen knows the truth. I only bring it up now because Lauzen himself did with me in a recent conversation after all these years. The point I really want to make is like Jim Ryan mentioned, Lauzen should think about throwing stones on ethics when he lives in a glass house.

Sandy, but if documents prove otherwise, what then? As in all things I know you will consider this potential or possible reality.

Thank God for the Alderman in Geneva- they got it right- they know how to govern, and represent the people - these campaigns that get ugly are getting old, stale, and it makes you want to throw in the towel on both candidates. Let's clean it up quickly guys, and either run a campaign on your abilities or get out of the election - this stain is unnecessary and represents politics at its worst - a quest for power that stops at nothing. By the way, do either of the candidates have any emails that say something to the effect of, " I want to do __________ because it is the right thing to do for our community, although it may not be popular. I am willing to lose the election to do ________ for my community because I care about the well being of the people of Geneva".

If not, then why would we want to elect them?

"Yet when an inspector general's report was about to publicly surface that concluded Jerry Stermer had inadvertently sent political e-mails from his state account, Quinn let his respected aide walk out the door" -- Chicago Tribune, 8/24/10

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-08-24/news/ct-met-quinn-new-chief-of-staff-20100824_1_pat-quinn-wright-jerry-stermer

And nearly a year later:

"A top adviser to Gov. Pat Quinn was fined $500 Monday for violating the state ethics act when he sent an email related to the governor's political campaign from a state cellphone." -- Chicago Tribune, 8/2/11

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-08-02/news/ct-met-stermer-fined-500-20110802_1_jerry-stermer-quinn-administration-dan-hynes

As I said earlier, we owe Jon Zahm gratitude for taking the initiative to research this important issue concerning Mayor Kevin Burns' use of the city of Geneva assets. It is not unprecedented for highly paid professionals to pay a heavy price for the same mistake Burns appeared to have made repeatedly since August of last year.

Now, has this demonstration of grassroots political volunteers initiative impeded State Senator Chris Lauzen's campaign? Not in the least. At the same time Zahm's press conference, which included attendence by over a half-dozen local press, a countywide Lauzen campaign mailer hit the street.

Lauzen's victory on March 20th will be the result of his message and county voters wanting true reform in county gov't.

This story, and many of the comments from others, remind me of what David Letterman said in describing the world of show business: "It's like high-school with money." On the other hand, that comparison might be unfair to high-schoolers...at least they can legitimately claim immaturity...a defense that doesn't apply here.

Looks like Jon really stepped on the ant hill with this one. It really sent the little insects scurrying. My question is while Kevin “Monty” Burns is social networking courtesy of his taxpayers supplied email address who’s minding the store in Geneva? Now the GOP good ole boys are trying to paint Zahn, and any of us who respect Lauzens record and his ideas for better and reformed Kane county government as some kind of hideous ogres living in Lauzens basement waiting for marching orders. This of course is pure rubbish, we want answers to red light camera’s and pension reform in Kane county not some snide email telling us what sweater Sarah Lauzen was wearing. By the way Ellen, I am wearing green sweat pants with a hole in the knee should you want to make a campaign issue out of it. Bottom line is that Chris Lauzen is running for chairman here and not Jon Zahn. Kevin, for once in your campaign try taking the high road, don’t worry you won’t get nose bleed!