Wogen Resigns

Ivan, I'd have to agree with you about Teresinski. He has the experience and ability. I am somewhat puzzled by some of his votes lately, although I always appreciate his demeanor and discussion. I sure hope he does not slide into the ways of Simpson, Naylor, and Povlsen. And whoever is appointed for the 3rd ward, I hope they are a critical thinker and bring some needed capability to the table. It has been refreshing to see Gallagher re-energize the discussions with his many thoughtful questions and accurate calculations. Baker and Keller apparently just needed a wake-up call. They too are now asking and thinking.

No but I for one can tell you that the mayor wasn't upfront on how the process for determining a replacement really goes. What he told people at the end of the meeting with regards to replacing his seat was not true. I never received the one on one interview with him. My understanding is that three people were considered for his replacement and I know of two that were not interviewed one on one.

We were asked to submit a little resume about ourselves and why we were interested in the position then basically just waited for a response. I first heard that someone was picked from the street rather then from Mayor Povlsen himself. Only after I emailed him did he confirm the pick of Tom Teresinski to fill the seat. Tom is a good choice for the times. His financial expertise is exactly what the council and the city need right now as long as he doesn't become a politician and remains neutral to keeping only the facts in front of him when he makes his votes. Unfortunately, I am seeing Tom stray from that. I think it's that virus that lurks around the council chambers.

Has anyone heard any good rumors as to who has expressed an interest in being appointed for replace Victor Wogen?

I would rather see people get paid like a real job. If someone shows up to work, they get paid. If they do not come to work, then they do not get paid. I know all about preparation time. The year 2010 will be my 20th year as an educator. I do not get paid for preparation time but if I missed a class, I would not get paid, even if I put in my preparation time.

Skeptic, there isn't anything in Dagger's first post I disagree with except the $500 fine. I didn't like the fine idea from its beginning. If there are to be penalties imposed for lack of attendance related issues then 7th ward alderman Brent Keller should have been included since that same issue was raised with him not all that long ago. I'd rather see reward-based compensation based on a meeting per diem than a punishment-based system. But whatever system must apply to all council members.

I'd really love to move forward from Wogen's tenure on the council. But that has been made more difficult by this insistence by Wogen, the mayor, city council and appointed administration that nothing wrong was done. No laws were broken. Several people have asked of those who claim no laws were broken to provide a statute or legal statement that would allow the City of DeKalb to ignore the well documented state ethics and local government statutes that were clearly broken. No response.

No laws were broken but the prevailing wage act was violated? If nothing done was wrong or illegal then why debate, consider, receive and file, pass on First Reading and amend on Second Reading a restriction on City Manager discretionary funds and an outside contract ethics ordinance? Why continue to insult the public's intelligence?

On the Chronicle blogs, someone named Chelsea Dagger really took Wogen to task. It's worthy of repetition here (paragraphs added by yours truly):

On December 15, 2009 10:51 a.m.:

"You owe us $500, you blippity-blip! Your radio interview clearly demonstrated you never had a clue what the office of alderman was about.

If your most important contribution was helping someone paint their house, you should be a volunteer handyman.

Calling the council meetings mundane was evidenced by your ritualistic lack of preparation and engagement.

Nice of you to criticize the other six aldermen for not realizing what you alone know to be best for the city!

Wonderful potshots at the Chronicle (which initially supported your right to privacy) comparing them to the National Inquirer.

Classless! Revolting! Sickening!"

On December 15, 2009 12:14 p.m.:

"The most horrifying aspect of his interview was his pledge to remain a DeKalb resident for a long time to come. This Wogen character needs to understand how deep and broad is the contempt this community holds for him.

From his dishonorable financial affairs, to his failures to appear at administrative hearings, to the domestic violence implications, to his cowardly disappearing act on the council, to his unethical contracting with the city, to his failures to pay lawful wages, to the circumstances of his prior termination, there is not a reputable person in this town who would hire him."

Wow! I wonder what Wogen did to piss Ms. Dagger off so much!

Let's put it this way.

Those are tax dollars that Wogen received for work not performed. They can say all they wish, he missed many more meetings than just the two mentioned. The council should be going after those dollars better yet, if any alderman or mayor does not show up for a meeting, no check for that meeting should be sent until all the members that were in attendance sign off with a majority that the check could be released due to a proper excuse. Easy enough to do, starts right at the city clerks office.

If the mayor and council feel that the excuse that Wogen had in missing the meetings was adequate enough, maybe they in turn should pass a hat around and collect the $500.00 and pay back the taxpayers.

Point: Wogen knew a long time ago that he could not possibly stay on the council as the 3rd Wards Alderman. The mayor and council allowed him to delay the inevitable.

He can bid any time or any where he wishes. He just needs to follow the rules and laws pertaining to the type of job he is bidding on. He also needs to pay his men what they have coming. The state will make sure of that. He won't weasel out of his obligations to the state.

I feel the city backed down on an earlier vote this year and that was not to fund social service programs. How by not fining Wogen was that not the same? They felt sorry for him and so they won't pursue it anylonger? If this mayor and council would have had the gonads to address this issue when it first came up he never would have received those checks in the first place. I just hope this is not a regular practice with all employees and subcontractors that do work for the city.

Any chance the resignation could be made retroactive to the date he abandoned the ward? Then the citizens would have the opportunity to elect the third ward alderman and we could recoup $2,000 in salary!

People just really wish to continue to blame the bloggers for everything and call them cowards.

Former Alderman Wogen, it is you that shut off your phone, didn't answer your emails, and didn't give your constituents your new address. It is you sir(used very lightly) that made a promise to represent the residents of the 3rd Ward. Several months ago you promised to be back in the ward and that you were going to open up lines of communication. Another lie.

Yes you have many problems facing you, to me, it seems that you had a part in all of them and probably a majoritiy role. Don't blame bloggers for demanding that you live up to your committment to them. Just because the mayor and other aldermen didn't push you like they should have the citizens of this community did have the right.

Now, having made the decision to resign and allow for some real representation to be afforded to the 3rd Ward residents, I feel all should allow Mr. Wogen the privacy he needs to mend his family. This doesn't need to be a public matter and I truly hope Victor that you find the help, support, and strength to get headed back in the right direction.

Does this mean he can start contracting with the city right away?

This "cowardly" blogger is having a very good morning!!!!!
Mission partially accomplished.