AG to Investigate Allegations of Open Meetings Act Violations
February 8th, 2010 by yinn
Post-Election Open Thread
February 3rd, 2010 by yinnFor election judges at the NIU Rec Center, here’s how Election Day played out yesterday:
From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., 856 people came in to use the Campus Recreation Center. In the same amount of time, 2 people came to vote. By 6 p.m., the total was up to 3 voters and one more person was preparing to be the fourth voter of the night.
The Rec center was the polling place for the DeKalb precincts 2, 7, 9 and 12, the precincts for students who live in the Douglas, Lincoln, Grant and Stevenson Residence Halls. Students who are registered to vote at their home address rather than in the precincts of the residence halls were not able to vote at the Rec Center on Tuesday.
Other students were simply not aware there was an election.
Guess whose precinct had to deliver a ballot box that didn’t rattle at all? Read the rest of this entry »
Dear Bad Politicians
February 1st, 2010 by Kay SheltonDear Bad Politicians, the State of Illinois called. She is changing the locks on February 2.
“I spent so many nights
thinking how you did me wrong.”
“Go on now go walk out the door
just turn around now
’cause you’re not welcome anymore.”
Message for Bad Politicians
Campbell Serious About Investigating Wogen “Arrangement”
January 30th, 2010 by yinn
Northern Star Fighting for 3rd Ward Names
January 27th, 2010 by yinnThe Northern Star has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain the names of the persons considered by the mayor for the vacated Third Ward alderman spot.
With the questionable past of the 3rd Ward, it is interesting to see that the city has decided to withhold this information from the public, since an aldermanic position is in fact a public position. On Jan. 25, DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen appointed Pam Verbic, a long-time 3rd Ward resident, to the position that had been vacant since Victor Wogen resigned on Dec. 14, 2009. Congratulations to Mrs. Verbic.
The Star, however, is still wondering why the other nine applicants have not been announced, since it is a public position.
The Northern Star filed a Freedom of Information request for the names of the 10 applicants, and, in a letter addressed to the Northern Star, DeKalb City Clerk Steve Kapitan said “City Attorney Norma Guess asserts that this request [for the 10 names] be denied because it constitutes a clear unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
Let’s take a look at FOIA. Read the rest of this entry »
State’s Attorney Candidate Makes Public Corruption an Issue
January 23rd, 2010 by yinnThere are three Democratic and two Republican candidates for DeKalb County State’s Attorney. Only one of them, GOP hopeful Clay Campbell, has brought up the issue of corruption in local government. The following is my transcription of Campbell’s closing remarks during the Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum last Tuesday. I’ve stripped out an “uh” or two and ignored his tendency to drop the “g” (e.g. “lettin’”). To listen for yourself, visit WLBK for the podcast.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have to begin the process of healing our community. We can’t keep going back and forth: Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, name calling–we can’t do that anymore. It’s not good for us, and it’s not a good model for our children. We have to again restore the respect for government officials that they deserve. We have to elect people that will come forward and serve the public good.
I’m reminded of this Victor Wogen matter here with the City Council of DeKalb. Read the rest of this entry »
Council Watch, January 25 Meetings
January 23rd, 2010 by yinnCommittee of the Whole meeting agenda includes a discussion of establishing a line of credit (PDF p. 3).
Staff contacted eight banks located in DeKalb about submitting their terms and rates for a $2.5M line of credit for the City. We have received four quotes, of which Castle Bank had the lowest fixed rate at 4.95%, while Fifth Third Bank had the lowest variable rate at 1.75% + .25% of any unused principal. This line of credit will be necessary to maintain City operations while revenues continue to decline.
Um, no, I think rather the idea is to maintain cash flow for operations while the city is waiting for revenues to come in, not to make up for declining revenues. The wording here is a little troubling.
Where’s that debt policy?! Read the rest of this entry »
Word of the Day: Patronage
January 22nd, 2010 by yinnpatronage [pey-truh-nij]
–noun
3. the control of or power to make appointments to government jobs or the power to grant other political favors.
4. Offices, jobs, or other favors so controlled.
5. the distribution of jobs and favors on a political basis, as to those who have supported one’s party or political campaign: DeKalb became notorious for patronage in Illinois, ranking just behind Chicago and Cicero.
6. a condescending manner or attitude in granting favors, in dealing with people, etc., condescension: city officials cultivated an air of patronage toward politically unconnected residents. [examples added]
Tomorrow’s word: Nepotism.
Park District & TIF
January 20th, 2010 by yinnHere are facts obtained recently from the DeKalb Park District about its agreements with the City of DeKalb:
Once upon a time, the Park District would submit requests to the City for reimbursements of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)-eligible expenses incurred on a project-by-project basis. The projects had to occur within TIF districts and there was no guarantee of reimbursement.
Read the rest of this entry »
