Seekers of good government need role models to look up to in contrast to the recurring examples of what not to do. Residents of the 4th and 11th districts of the county board are blessed to have Anthony Cvek and John Gudmunson, respectively, as their representatives.
Cvek is a rookie county board member who appears to champion the type of government he campaigned for. Gudmunson has proven to be a steady beacon for sunlight and good government.
Cvek and Gudmunson went against the grain of the board and their political party by voting against the appointment of Riley Oncken to fill the 3rd district seat vacated by the resignation of Ken Andersen. Nothing against Oncken, he is well qualified to serve on the board, but it’s a matter of ethics and principles.
In the November 2012 general election Oncken finished third in a top two vote getters win race. Voters soundly rejected his bid for re-election. Basic principles of good government include respect for the voters’ decision. Cvek and Gudmunson had more respect for the voters than the rest of the board who ignored the results of the most recent election:
- Mark Pietrowski Jr. (DEM) 1789 total votes – 39.31%
- Kenneth W. Andersen (REP) 1658 total votes – 36.43%
- Riley N. Oncken (REP) 1104 24.26 total votes – 24.26%
Peculiar was the vote of Mark Pietrowski. Surely, at least his constituents must have thought, he would vote against the Oncken appointment. As the top vote-getter for District 3 Pietrowski canvassed door to door. He heard the dissatisfaction with voters for the landfill expansion Oncken championed. Many in District 3 especially, home of the landfill, were frustrated that the pollution control board and appellate courts both opined that if voters didn’t like their county board member’s action on the landfill they could vote them out.
But the rules for when a sitting county board member resigns are clear. A vacant seat on the board must be filled by a member of the same political party that held it prior to the vacancy. Ken Andersen (R) resigned in February after losing the board chairmanship to fellow Republican Jeff Metzger.
The local GOP chair, Steve Kuhn, sat in on a caucus meeting of four of the eight precinct committeemen. They would choose between Riley Oncken and Stephen Ward who is a trustee on the Cortland Township board. Each of the four precinct committeeman’s vote was weighted by the number of Republican votes cast in the 2012 primary election. Kuhn, who could have voted for the open precincts not represented at the meeting apparently wanted to avoid any question of ethics chose to abstain.
The four voting committeemen (with weighted numbers) were Riley Oncken (98), Russ Josh (143), Tim Bagby (179) and Ken Andersen (157). Bagby is an appointed precinct committeeman. Anthony Cvek pointed out that Bagby should not have voted. Those who place importance on ethics would abstain from voting for themselves. Instead Oncken, Bagby and Josh voted for Oncken. Andersen voted for Ward.
When Andersen was up for the county board chair similar rules applied. The Republicans on the board nominated him. But Jeff Metzger (R) and the Democrats teamed together to reject the GOP nomination and instead elected Metzger as the chairman. Metzger promised that at least six of the county’s leading Republicans would step forward to let the public know why he and not the county board GOP members formal nominee, Ken Andersen, should be the chairman. We’re still waiting for that press conference.
Pietrowski came under fire for not supporting fellow District 3 representative Andersen for the chairman position. In a Facebook conversation, Pietrowski wrote: “The choice was an ultra conservative or a moderate that has a record of working with both sides.”
Evidently the same rules or ethics don’t apply for the Democrats with Andersen’s replacement. Despite Cvek’s and Gudmunson’s objections on the lack of ethics in the caucus vote and the disrespect selecting Oncken would show the voters of District 3 county board members voted 20-2 to appoint caucused nominee.
In a letter to the board, Cvek outlined other concerns about Oncken’s nomination. Among those concerns was a January 2013 A-1 report of a $1,000 campaign contribution to Oncken from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150. It was the largest single contribution his election committee ever received since forming in 2008.
The county board will likely vote on a new contract with IUOE Local 150 in the coming months. Will Oncken once again vote for himself? He has a pattern of doing so.
After losing his bid for re-election Oncken changed his stance on a budget request for a funding increase of $73,000 to add a second attorney for the public defender’s office. He said his previous vote against the measure was based on “saving himself politically.”
That was the theme for his recorded March 18, 2009 vote against the Host Fee Agreement on the landfill expansion. Then county board member Steve Walt, who voted in favor of the Host Fee Agreement, wrote Oncken an email discovered through the FOIA regarding the criticism heard that night from the audience. Oncken replied: “My vote was to appease my constituents and I knew it wouldn’t matter in the end, so I was not forced to make a truly difficult decision. I did talk to [Waste Management] afterward to explain my concerns and my vote […]”
Perhaps the new geniuses pulling strings at the DeKalb County Democrats were thinking ahead when their county board members (and officers) voted to appoint Oncken. Surely any warm bodied candidate in a donkey suit will beat him in the next election. If so, shame on them for prioritizing loyalty to their party over that of good government.
As for the local GOP? What else can you do to embarrass yourself?
Anthony Cvek and John Gudmunson are the silver lining in the dark dreary clouds surrounding the DeKalb County Board. They are examples of how to do things right.
They should be emulated.
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22 Comments
And now we’ve come full circle, Mr. Reid.
“Don’t expect perfection as we are all human. It is very demoralizing to hear constant criticism. If you get elected the shoe may be on the other foot.”
It could be demoralizing to have public officials meet with you in pairs to tell you how “unattractive” you are when you speak out at budget hearings and so on.
It could also be demoralizing to come under a barrage of cyber attacks, as happened when I denounced the former mayor’s participation in getting Gavin Wilson kicked off the 5th Ward ballot — something that, if I remember correctly, Mr. Rey was involved in, too, and that his friends may or may not want brought up again at this time.
It could most definitely be demoralizing to be called a “FOIA abuser” and “lunatic fringe” during public meetings, in response to exercising one’s rights under the law.
Etc., etc., etc.
During this conversation, I’ve offered some of the issues I’ve been compelled by conscience to speak to, but apparently you think it’s entirely reasonable for, say, a sitting alderman to land city contracts in secret and that it’s unreasonable and “demoralizing” to protest this behavior.
During this conversation, I offered up a list of activities and personal rules of conduct in order to give you the opportunity to see me as a complex and complete human being, but they don’t matter. Only the fact that sometimes I am an outspoken critic matters.
So I say again: It is not “easy to be a critic.”
But that’s OK. If it were easy, I’d suspect I was on the wrong side of things.
Here is your quote “I absolutely believe there are functional, competent, ethical people in government. I’ve met a few and am thankful for that. I’ve met even more who started out that way and turned into something else.” You believe most people in government are either corrupt or incompetent. I disagree.
I don’t share your cynicism of public servants. I believe most of them aspire to meet your high standards not the minority of them. There is a point when cynical badgering is counter productive and contributes to the apathy of the public. I believe that public apathy is a greater problem than the shortcomings of our officials or our system. The voters are the power structure. Instead of featuring every real or imagined scandal why not try to comment on the many good things in government. Despite the many challenges our officials face they happen all the time.
If you really believe that a couple of outspoken residents create more voter apathy than the constant done deals, misbehavior, mis-spending and other disrespect that continually erodes public trust, well, I can’t fix that kind of willful blindness.
But, I won’t have you accusing me of cynicism.
Commenting on the good things in government was one of the things I set out to do with the blog seven years ago. Once I got involved in a city annexation deal, I wanted to share the process and did so optimistically, thinking it would be informational and maybe even interesting.
It actually took several years for my shiny view of local government to become tarnished.
Still, it is an untruth to imply or say outright that I don’t take positive steps at every opportunity that I can:
–Examples of good government are featured on the blog.
–For every criticism leveled, I try to offer ideas for improvement.
–I’ve worked for candidates I thought would bring good government.
–I served on DeKalb’s Citizens Environmental Commission under Mayor Van Buer, something I still feel honored and grateful to have been a part of.
–I helped a statewide organization make a transparency award to the City of DeKalb (back in 2007 when agenda packets went online).
–I’ve been an election judge for six years.
–My communications with local officials via email, in-person conversations and at public meetings are respectful — even when the courtesy has not been returned.
–I was part of the group that re-formed the League of Women Voters of DeKalb County last year, served for a time as its secretary, and participated in Candidates’ Night events.
–I’ve nominated a unit of local government to be featured in the Better Government Association’s Good Government Spotlight.
Who might you be campaigning for, Mr. Reid, that you would try to smear me as a Negative Nelly who does no more than complain?
I have no interest in your race. You must believe there is a conspiracy behind every bush. I was taken back at your negativism regarding most public officials. I can’t find your recent quote any longer on this website but I don’t believe it was true.
Well, I am somewhat taken aback by you, though I am not quite willing to put you in the “political hack” category, yet. Though I do think you must be hanging out with Herb a lot lately, since some of your comments really could have come from him.
I should have qualified my quote by specifying DeKalb officials. Of course I’ve observed them most of all. I am glad you found it so I can say so now.
But make no mistake about it; I believe the same things my unconnected (non-ReNew, non-CGS, etc.) neighbors believe: there is something horribly wrong with the leadership in the Municipal Building, has been for a long time and is costing us dearly.
I am not suggesting that there is anything wrong with oversight and criticism. At least Ms. Fazekas is willing to serve and not just sit back and criticize those who do serve their community. I don’t know what the local power structure is? Are you referring to the political parties? I believe a lot of people in government value excellence. However, it may be easier to aspire to than to actually achieve it.
Thank you for that. But elected public office is only one of many ways to serve the community and Mac always has found ways to do it. I was seriously impressed with his work on the city’s Financial Advisory Committee, for example.
I also value Mac as a truth-teller. Criticize movies and over time you have a chance at getting better movies. However, criticize local government and its members go bananas and heave verbal cabbages at your head (or undermine more subtly through concern-trolling).
Over the years, some of us have criticized such things as: Community Development getting new SUVs while the DeKalb Police did without, the skating rink, an alderman texting during council meetings, an alderman secretly getting city contracts, secrecy surrounding the true costs of the Voluntary Separation Program, and the lack of a business plan for the airport. Does any of this sound unreasonable to you?
My personal observation is that the city’s power structure is a machine that, at its core, has very little to do parties or for that matter, with democracy or rules. And that is why most DeKalb populations (e.g., working class, retirees on small fixed incomes, etc.) have not shared a place at the table for quite some time.
The power structure is a machine that, at its core, has little to do with parties.
I absolutely believe there are functional, competent, ethical people in government. I’ve met a few and am thankful for that. I’ve met even more who started out that way and turned into something else.
Thanks for the kind words Lynn! Who knows? Maybe that local power structure are those six leading Republicans that haven’t yet stepped up to tell the public why Jeff Metzger shalt be their county board chair instead of the caucused nominee Ken Andersen. The vote wasn’t as close at the county board to appoint the caucused nominee Riley Oncken as it was for Metzger. Fraternity received overwhelming bipartisan support to disrespect the voters’ decision. At the core is a fraternity of like-minded people who resent it when others balk at paying for their vision.
@Mac, When Mark voted for Riley you saw exactly what you wanted. Mark chose statesmanship over partisan games. Riley was chosen by Republican Precinct Committeemen and then brought to the County Board. Riley was going to be approved so rather than make an enemy out of him Mark voted for his approval. The two have to work together for the next two years to represent their constituents on the many important issues that directly impact district three. Riley and Mark may not always agree on issues but it is in the interest of district three residents that they get along. As of right now the district is represented by one Democrat and one Republican, one from Sycamore and one from Cortland. I would say the representation matches the district very well.
As for County Chair, Mark is doing an excellent job (did you see the 2012 results in DeKalb County??????). If there are Democrats who feel he isn’t doing a good job they are probably the ones who don’t attend meetings or get involved in the party. If they were involved they would know that any Democrat can be appointed Precinct Committeeman and then have a vote at our central committee meetings and four committee meetings per month (fundraising, communications, political affairs and events). Unfortunately there will always be a group of people that would rather complain than act but hopefully a few of the disgruntled dems you mentioned will attend our next meeting and help with the work. Event and meeting information can be found at http://www.dekalbcountydemocrats.org or they can call me (chair of the political affairs committee) for more information at 815-761-7177. We are always open to new faces and ideas and I hope to see them there!!
@Kory@Kori: What Mark gave was partisanship pure and simple. He has yet to learn statesmanship. I hope he learns soon or I guess he’ll have to adopt Oncken’s strategy for getting appointed to the board after voters boot him out. How hypocritical.
1. “Riley was going to be approved so rather than make an enemy out of him Mark voted for his approval.”
ummm, with two Republicans voting against him how could he have been appointed if the Dems joined the side of ethics and integrity? They only needed 1 Republican to change the decision of the Republican Precinct Committeemen for the County Board Chair
2. “The two have to work together for the next two years to represent their constituents on the many important issues that directly impact district three.”
But that wasn’t important with Ken Andersen, also from District 3? Hmmmph.
3. “As of right now the district is represented by one Democrat and one Republican, one from Sycamore and one from Cortland. I would say the representation matches the district very well.”
Didn’t Andersen live in Sycamore?
You’re just helping him dig a deeper hole.
As for the Dems? I agree. They need to get more involved if they want change. I hope they do. I still hope Mark does. Otherwise he is one and done.
My name is Kori with an I.
Would that be the County Democrats or Lash for Alderperson? Would that be the County Democrats or Luebke for Supervisor? How can anyone tell the difference between the non-partisan or independent candidates from the Democrats?
I believe that Mark Pietrowski is doing a fine job as Dekalb Democratic Chairman. I don’t speak for him but I think that his decisions have been in the best interests of the citizens. What this link to John Kass’s article about Tony Rezko has to do with the local party, I have no clue. I don’t read or believe anything John Kass would write. You guys won’t let off Oncken because of his vote on the landfill. That is what this is all about. I don’t believe that it serves the public to have extermists in local government. I think it is hypocritical to collect farm subsidies and tax breaks and then be anti-worker and anti-government. I think you are confused about who are the good guys.
I don’t believe that it serves the public to have extermists in local government. — Stephen Reid
So you are going to resign your seat on the county board at the next meeting?
It is easier to be a critic than to actually work to improve the community. I am proud of my efforts.
Last night during the forum Oak Crest — which totally rocked, by the way — it was suggested that being a local “gadfly” (yes, that word was used) should disqualify a person from holding public office.
That’s just the latest act of disrespect toward a critic. To say that it’s easier to be a critic in this town is totally ridiculous. It’s much, much easier to sit down, shut up and play along.
It’ll stay that way until more people who value excellence and achievement over maintaining the power structure stand up.
@Lynn: Truck broke down in Mendota so we used our remaining vehicle to go to the Cortland candidate forum. We were originally planning to split and attend both forums. Glad to hear it rocked! Over the years I’ve heard several appointed administrators refer to their elected board as gadflies. But when a candidate wins they get to don the green jacket and join the exclusive club (never as made men). I know you won’t wear the jacket or drink the kool-aid.
@Stephen, I’ve contributed to improving this community my entire adult life on several efforts, organizations and committees. And I’ll continue to be a critic of the lousy government we have in this county and in this state. But I will restate and re-emphasize: It’s the system that’s corrupting the people, not the other way around.
Mark Pietrowski is now the Benedict Arnold of the DeKalb County Board. He is the one, I thought, prior to his election, would be a reformer. He has made some of the worst decisions in his short tenure that I have ever seen. A true disappointment.
I was hoping for a change from the childish games of partisanship to statesmanship. It’s early. Hopefully Pietrowski hears the buzz from his constituents and remembers why they voted for him. Otherwise he’ll have to adapt Oncken’s strategy to get appointed after he loses his next election. I hope some of the many Democrats I’ve heard from let him know he needs to do better as chair and therefore ambassador of the local party. Some of the new blood Republicans need to have a similar conversation with Steve Kuhn.
The Illinois Combine has been reinvented. It is now the DeKalb County Combine.
(with apologies to former U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132×5208950
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Ad hominem attacks don’t bother me. I have been observing DeKalb goverment since 1971. There are always potential problems with amateurs in government. They lack institutional memory and can sometimes make unwise decisions. However, these citizens volunteer to serve their community. Don’t expect perfection as we are all human. It is very demoralizing to hear constant criticism. If you get elected the shoe may be on the other foot.