UPDATED: Residents Raise Concerns Over Character of Police Chief Nominee
Questions revolve around two incidents during Ernest Brown's service with the Chicago Police Department.
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Updated: 12:28 p.m.
Darien residents are questioning the city's vetting process in selecting its police chief nominee after Mayor Kathleen Weaver announced early Friday that Chicago police veteran Ernest Brown was her pick for the job.
Brown, the deputy superintendent of the Chicago Police Department's patrol division, was selected from roughly 140 candidates to head the Darien Police Department. The Darien City Council is set to vote Monday night on whether to confirm his appointment.
“If anyone does just a little bit of research on Mr. Ernest T. Brown, you will find that there are some red flags,” wrote Josh Tibbs in a comment on Darien Patch.
“I am disappointed that when you search his name on the Internet, there is so much baggage attached to him,” wrote John Dvorak in another Patch comment.
Concerned residents cite several incidents, which City Administrator Bryon Vana said on Sunday the city was well aware of throughout the interview process.
In 2008, Brown was removed from consideration to head the Buckeye, AZ, Police Department after Buckeye police officials said they discovered inconsistencies in his record, the Arizona Republic reported at the time.
When Brown applied to the Buckeye job, he listed his title as assistant deputy superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, although he had recently been demoted to lieutenant overseeing the detectives in five districts, the Republic said.
Brown told the Republic that he accidentally submitted an old version of his resume.
"I certainly had no intention on my part of deceiving anybody," he told the Republic.
Brown named in several lawsuits related to police conduct
Residents have also referenced a February 2001 incident in which Brown ordered a raid on a community basketball tournament at the Chicago Park District’s Stateway Gardens Field House.
Brown, then commander of the Chicago police public housing unit, ordered officers to search the roughly 250 people at the tournament after he said police received a tip about potential gang activity, according to a May 2001 Chicago Tribune story.
A class action lawsuit filed after the raid said Brown ordered more than 20 officers to enter the field house without either a warrant or probable cause. Over the course of two hours, the complaint alleged officers searched every person at the event, including a 1-year-old baby.
One person was arrested for disorderly conduct after objecting to the search of his 9- and 10-year-old sons, the complaint said.
Brown told the Tribune that officers also found two guns in the building and a man in the parking lot carrying a small amount of marijuana.
He told the Tribune that based on the tip, which he said came from a trusted source, the police "took necessary action using available resources."
The city of Chicago reached a settlement in December 2003 for $500,000.
Patch commenter Matt Goodwin also cited a 1989 incident during which a Chicago man was shot after Brown obtained a search warrant for his apartment.
Andrew Sledd filed suit against several Chicago police officers, including Brown, alleging they entered his apartment with a battering ram without identifying themselves as the police. The officers deny that they failed to identify themselves, according to an opinion from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Sledd approached the officers with a gun, thinking they were intruders, according to the opinion.
Officer Elroy Baker shot Sledd, then hit him in the head and kicked him in the groin, the opinion said.
Police said they found several bags of cocaine in the home and charged Sledd with attempted murder. He was found not guilty by the Cook County Circuit Court and cleared of all charges.
The officer who led the raid, Guy Lindsay, was later fired from the Chicago Police Department for using cocaine, the opinion said. Sledd claimed that another officer would have had time to plant cocaine in his apartment on the night of the raid.
The 7th Circuit found the district court erred in dismissing Sledd’s claims against the officers and remanded the case to trial.
The city reached a $687,000 settlement with Sledd in 1998, according to his lawyers.
In another case, a Chicago man accused Brown of excessive force during a June 2005 incident in the man’s apartment building.
Corey Brownlee filed a lawsuit alleging that Brown followed him without probable cause from a CTA stop to Brownlee’s apartment building.
Brownlee said in the complaint that a security guard restrained him while Brown repeatedly struck him in the head with a walkie-talkie. Brownlee sustained another injury to his forehead when he fell to the ground, according to the complaint.
A Cook County judge found there was no probable cause to arrest Brownlee and in July 2005 dismissed the charges Brown filed against him.
The city of Chicago reached a $36,000 settlement with Brownlee in March 2006.
City aware of and unconcerned by Brown's background
City Administrator Bryon Vana discounted any suggestion that Darien officials were unaware of those two incidents.
“Both have been explained by (Brown) and are not material to the great career he’s had over 28 years with the Chicago Police Department and with the U.S. Air Force before that,” he said. He said the city ran an extensive background check.
Throughout the interview process, Vana said he was impressed with Brown’s strategic development of “preemptive, innovative ways to deal with crime.” Brown’s resume is available for review on the City of Darien website.
Vana also cited a Fox Chicago News profile of Brown.
"That zeal for making the city a better place to live, work and raise children has been exhibited by his career -- so while he's a great police officer -- that's just grown, as he's grown in rank," Chicago District 15 Commander Walter Green told Fox about Brown.
Brown has received seven department commendations and one special commendation, according to his resume. He also has received two community service awards from Chicago organizations.
Weaver was unable to be reached for comment.
Every member of the City Council has had the opportunity to interview Brown, Vana said.
A five-member citizens search committee, which Weaver selected with the help of recommendations from the aldermen, helped narrow the pool of applicants from 100 down to 10, Vana said.
City officials and three members of the citizens committee interviewed those 10 candidates to determine the top three, he said.
Several residents are mobilizing a group to attend Monday’s City Council meeting to dispute Brown’s appointment prior to the aldermen's vote.
“The taxpayers of Darien need to go to the City Council meeting on Monday or write/call their alderman and tell them they don't want their hard earned money going to paying for an individual with a history of violating people's civil rights,” Goodwin wrote in another Darien Patch comment.
Vana encouraged residents to attend the meeting and share their thoughts.
“Come to the meeting and meet Ernest Brown,” he said. “Let your voice be heard and stay involved in things.”
If the City Council votes to install Brown as police chief, Vana said he would likely assume the role within 30 to 60 days.
The City Council meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.
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Darien Police Department
1702 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL -
City Council Meeting
November 1, 2010 / June 20, 2011 / July 18, 2011 / August 1, 2011 / August 15, 2011 / September 6, 2011 / September 19, 2011 / October 3, 2011 / October 17, 2011 / November 7, 2011 / November 21, 2011 / December 5, 2011 / December 19, 2011 / January 2, 2012 / January 16, 2012 / February 6, 2012 / February 21, 2012 / March 5, 2012 / March 19, 2012 / April 2, 2012 / April 16, 2012 / May 7, 2012 / May 21, 2012 / June 4, 2012 / June 18, 2012 / July 2, 2012 / July 16, 2012 at 7:30 pm -
Josh Tibbs
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Darien City Hall
1702 Plainfield Rd, Darien, IL
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John Dvorak
Joined Patch Thursday, August 4, 2011 -
Matt Goodwin
Joined Patch Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Matt Goodwin
8:59 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Lauren, one correction. The federal court filing alleged that Mr. Brown ordered over 40 police officers into that raid; not 20. Also I found an additional filing against Mr. Brown in my research. This one revolved around an incident in 1989 when, then, Officer Brown was part of a team that battered in the door of a house, entered in search of an individual and shot a young man. The case was appealed in federal court where court documents show that Mr. Brown's team failed to announce they were police officers when battering down the door, were not dressed in uniform and had their police markings on their raid clothing covered with jackets that did not bear any identifying marks. The young man was shot when he grabbed a gun to protect himself and his family. One of Brown's team members also put a gun to the young man's head as another team member allegedly kicked the man in the groin. The young man was arrested for possession of cocaine because a quantity was found in the house. This evidence was later thrown out when it was determined that one of Brown's officers had a cocaine addiction, which subsequently got the officer fired, and the courts determined this officer had sufficient time to plant the evidence after the young man was shot. Again, is this the best qualified candidate out of 140 that Darien had to choose from? Read the material for yourself:
http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F3/102/102.F3d.282.95-2360.html
Lauren Williamson
9:07 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Hi Matt,
Although some of the news stories about the Stateway Gardens raid say 40 officers, the complaint filed in the district court says "more than 20," so I need to base my facts on that. http://www.povertylaw.org/poverty-law-library/case/55500/55545/55545a.pdf
Thanks!
Lauren
Matt Goodwin
9:21 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
...and a brief update on the case that I cited above. Based on further research (http://www.peopleslawoffice.com/cases/victories/74/) the case was settled for $687,000. Using the high quality education that I got from the Darien school system, my math tells me that's well over $1 million in settlements the City of Chicago had to pay out in cases involving Mr. Brown.
This whole process began because the City of Darien wanted to save money and Mr. Brown has a history of costing the city he works for over $1 million. Doesn't sound like a cost effective strategy to me.
Matt Goodwin
9:27 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Lauren, I understand your caution. Whether it was over 20 or over 40, the facts surrounding that number are what is of greatest concern. Thanks.
E MCFARLAND
3:37 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Give this guy a chance. Everything you read in the news is not always correct.
Tom Koz
9:10 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Rather than the City Council approving Mr. Brown to prove they are not racist, they should find, and hire, a better candidate to prove they are not idiots.
Hmmm, have we NOT learned what happens when a smooth talking, minimally qualified person with a questionable background gets hired??? The outcome is NOT good!!
Steve
9:17 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
My Alderman ,John F. Poteraske Jr., will vote yes. He basicially told me he would go along with anyone Mayor Weaver recommended.
Tom Koz
9:29 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Time to vote for a new alderman!!
Matt Goodwin
9:36 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Once again, to tap my great Darien school system education.....
It was blindly following people that led to the My Lei massacre in Vietnam. This definitly won't have the same outcomes, at least not the physical consequences. The loss of our voice as citizens....well that's another story.
Danny Maddox
10:28 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
preemptive means arrest people / violate citizien rights before they do the crime. I can go into Chicago and be in a group of good citizens and some will be carrying a gun, for their protection. This is old Chicago. I am ready to help the first person rights violated with a lawsuit. after all he has already violated American people rights.
Steve
10:31 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Hi Lauren,
Has anyone asked our Mayor why this appointment is getting fast tracked to the Council? Does she think that one weekend is enough time for the Alderman to judge public opinion in their ward? Is this really need to be voted on Today? Does she have no faith in our Deputy Chiefs? Just curious.
Lauren Williamson
10:33 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Hi Steve,
Mayor Weaver has not yet responded to my requests for an interview. I'll update the story if and when I'm able to speak with her.
Thanks,
Lauren
Steve
10:41 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Thanks Lauren
Barry Allen
11:13 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
All good questions Steve. This "announce on Friday, vote on Monday" routine is becoming the new normal for getting things done in Darien. The same schedule was used for passing one of the largest tax increases in Darien history (the increase in utility, telecom and sales taxes), and, for proposing Mr Vana as a suitable replacement for the police chief.
If the city council agenda isn't posted on Thursday night I know now to fasten my seat belt ... it's going to be a bumpy ride.
Will Repole
10:35 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
The bigger question is why does Brown want this job. My math says he would be taking a decent cut in pay to come here. Do we really need someone that was in charge of organized crime in chicago? Don't we deserve someone that understands the issues that a town of 25K have? Just in general why do we need a higher tier official from the chicago pd with all the baggage that might come with him? This is such overkill - why don't we try to get the white house chief of staff as our new city administrator :)
Matt Goodwin
10:46 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
I recently sent an email out to the Aldermen and women in Darien and I cited the "Second City Cop" blog that was referenced in an earlier article on this topic. While blogs can, at times, be very reliable sources of preliminary information, in this case it is not. When I first read the blog and crafted my email to the council members, most of the information contained in that blog was of a nature, while aggressive, somewhat eye opening. However, after a recent conversation with Bryon Vana, I went back and read some of the newer posts on the blog. The majority of the comments that were posted are unprofessional, unethical and, in many cases, immoral.
So I want to say here for all of the Patch readers, that I owe Mr. Brown the sincerest of apologies for using this information as even a preliminary source for any of my arguments. The language that is used in many of the arguments, whether the arguments are valid or not, is entirely unacceptable.
If you are attending tonight's council meeting and plan to speak your case to the council or if you post any further discussion on these Patch articles, I urge you DO NOT use this blog or any of its comments for your arguments.
And to Bryon Vana, I owe a very big thank you for directing my attention back to that blog for review so that I could do the right thing in offering Mr. Brown my apologies.
Cheryl
11:12 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
What is wrong with the Deputy Chief's who have been holding the PD together so far? Do we really need Chicago (County of Crook) tactics (antics) here in Darien?
Danny Maddox
11:31 am on Monday, September 19, 2011
Yes, if you are our mayor. Darien has to many stand up poeple that must be put in their place. The new police chief will serve the mayor not the people. her new enforcer. I just hope everyone gets out to vote in the up coming elections. she got in with 20% of Darien citizens voting in the election. 80% stayed home.
Brad Drake
12:35 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Brown is qualified to be our police chief. His service record is enough to land him the job. Did anyone bother to actually read his resume? It's pretty impressive. He had a lawsuit filed againt the Chicago Police Department due to his command decision...but in all fairness is there a police officer in the country that has not been sued directly or had his department sued by a criminal? As far as bringing up this man's personal financial situation...I certainly think that is out of line. There is a seperation between business life and personal life. I don't think the fact that a man lost his house has anything to do with his ability to run a police department of less than thirty officers. He is not the issue, the man is qualified.
So with that aside on our future chief, which is exactly what he will be, I must say that this is more of the new Chicago-style politics of Darien. Mayor Daley, I mean Mayor Weaver, has played this out perfectly to get exactly what she wanted all along - an outsider to bring control of the police department directly to her. The plain and simple fact is that the police department supported her opponent in the election and now she wants revenge on the police department. Period. So first there was the Vana attempt to control the department, which backfired drastically. Then, after saying both our deputies are more than capable of running the department, she decides to bring in an outside officer to be chief and not promote our deputies.
Matt Goodwin
12:51 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
I agree completely that, on its face, Mr. Brown's resume is impressive. However, yes, there are plenty of police officers in the world who do not get sued in federal court for civil rights violations leading the city that you work for to pay out huge settlements; let alone at least two in a single decade (two that were easy to find on Google). Out of 140 applicants there is no way that this committee can stand in front of the people of Darien and say that there was not another candidate AT LEAST as qualified as Mr. Brown who doesn't come with the history of federal lawsuits leading to settlements totalling over $1 million.
Brad Drake
12:40 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
To save face, however, Weaver established a "council" of citizens to review applications. The only problem is that nobody was chosen publicly and they were chosen directly by her. So now they have "chosen" a new chief, of which she endorses, and of which the City Council will just go right along with. Have any of our aldermen NOT voted for what she wanted or not gone along with her? Our new police chief is very qualified to be our police chief, but the people do not agree with how this has all gone down nor the motives behind it. This is a strong, firm sign of autocracy folks. The Mayor now has control over her poltical rivals, the police department. There's only one problem that perhaps she or the Council has not thought of: you're hiring a Chicago cop. Do you know what the means? That means he's pro union to the bone and will be the strongest supporter of organized labor and collective bargaining. You may think you just got yourself a puppet to do your will, but you're going to find out that nothing breaks organized labor in Chicago and now you won't be able to break the Darien Police Department either.
Matt Goodwin
12:53 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
It was believed back in June, by many of the same people commenting this weekend, that Bryon Vana would assume the duties of the police chief. However, when everyone took a stand, contacted their alderman and showed up at the council meeting, look what happened. When enough people stand up and show that they will not allow their elected officials to simply bend to the will of another without listening to their constituents, things happen. If they don't happen, people will remember come election time.
John Law
1:39 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Matt and Brad. Nice try, it's obvious you are both Chicago Cops trying to get rid of one of your biggest problems. I don't blame you for wanting him gone, I know he's been a Cancer for CPD. So hats off to you for attempted deflection, but no one is buying it. I know he's made you guys miserable. Stay safe.
Matt Goodwin
1:45 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
John, I'm not sure what in my comments gave you that impression. However, I can assure you neither one of us are Chicago police officers. Take a look back at some of the coverage on us here in the Patch and you will see for yourself.
Brad Drake
2:45 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Actually John, I think Matt and I are some of the few people on here that actually use our real names when we post. I have never been a police officer for the city of Chicago, never will be, and try to avoid that city as much as humanly possible.
John Law
2:17 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Plus he's ready to get demoted at CPD. That's why he wants out.
Brad Drake
2:42 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
The whole point is that this is what the Mayor wants and it's what she's going to get. The Council will not vote against her. By no means do I think this man is the best choice for our city, nor do I think he's the second or third or fourth or fifteenth best choice for our city. All I'm saying is that he IS qualified. I think the best choice for our city is one of our two current deputies. I also think it's what the majority of the people want. It's not what the Mayor wants, though, and even when the people fight back she will just find a way to change the game to get what she wants in the end. I reccomend everyone contact their alderman about this, voice your displeasure at the meeting tonight, but you mark my words at the end of the council meeting tonight this will be our new chief of police in Darien because it's what the Mayor of Chi-Darien-cago wants.
Brad Drake
6:53 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Excellent points Ron - very insightful and much appreciated! As far as the mayor goes, I think this town has done a fantastic job of raising hell over attempted policies. The people spoke up about having Vana as the police chief, the people spoke up about wanting one of the deputies promoted, as a matter of fact I think the people have done an excellent job fighting against what our current city politicians are trying. The problem, though, is that in one way or another the mayor gets what she wants. She wanted an outsider to run the police department and that's exactly what she's going to get. For some reason our aldermen just go along with it. When all that business was going on about having Vana as the police chief, my alderman didn't even bother to contact me back, but aldermen from other wards did and the city administrator actually contacted me. What's that go to show you about this town and the direction it's headed in? The only solution to any of this is the power of the vote.
Johnny Wysocki
7:04 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Lauren, did Mayor Weaver ever contact you? I was wondering what her response was going to be. I guess if she never contacted you back it just goes to show you what type of person she is.
Lauren Williamson
7:09 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Hi Johnny,
No, I didn't receive a response from Mayor Weaver.
Lauren
Matt Goodwin
9:21 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
First, congratulations Chief Brown. I hope you serve our city well; lord knows you will be extremely scrutinized and we will be watching you close.
Matt Goodwin
9:22 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
The Darien City Council voted tonight 4-3 to approve the mayor's appointment of Mr. Ernest Brown as the new Chief of Police. I am appalled at the process that took place to select this individual, I am disappointed at the lack of fortitude on the part of some of our council members who express their displeasure with the process but voted to confirm him anyways, and above all else I am thoroughly disgusted how the mayor treats the City of Darien as her own little fiefdom; cutting off alderman and citizens alike that are making their points when they don't agree with her own. Madam Qaddafi...I mean Mayor, and city council members, good luck in the next election.
...and yes madam Mayor your mic was open when you thought the break was on and you refered to Rick Biehl as a drunk. You should be ashamed of yourself for making slanderous comments such as these about a veteran and a long serving member of the City of Darien!!!
Mark Kiwiet
9:25 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
currently google-ing "dupage county election recall process" .....
Karen Karson
9:52 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Mark...please let us know what the process is? Her behavior tonight was shameful.
If she was my daughter...I'd be embarrassed.
Mark Kiwiet
10:40 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
If there is a way to start a recall - it's hidden or it doesn't exist on the internet - not that I can find. Seeing that this is Illinois, I am sure it is nothing less than impossible
Tom Koz
10:54 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
I am ashamed. I was able to attend the meeting. It does seem as if Mr. Brown was/is qualified for the position and appears to be a nice guy. This is the first City Council meeting I have attended. What I am ashamed about is that I did not speak up. Let me explain.
I am normally a fairly vociferous individual. It appeared to me that none of the alderman was given the opportunity to interview the top 3 candidates that were suggested by the committee appointed by Mayor Weaver. What I am ashamed of is not standing before the council and asking each alderman/person how they could possibly be fulfilling their fiduciary responsibility to Darien taxpayers to hire the best possible Police Chief if all they were doing is taking the Mayor's suggestion that he was the best candidate?????
I do not know Mayor Weaver and have never met her. However, it sure smelled like an appointment made for political purposes, rather than for purposes to best fulfill the needs of Darien taxpayers.
Mr. Brown may have been the best candidate. However, I hereby challenge the 4 aldermen that voted in favor of his appointment to try and explain how they can possibly claim that they fulfilled their fiduciary responsibility to their constituents.
I left the meeting in disgust after the vote. Did anybody stand up and announce their candidacy for Alderman??? Mayor???
Mark Kiwiet
10:55 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I think the explanation you are looking for goes something like this - During the last election, many if not all rank and file police officers backed Monaghan for Mayor and were not shy about it (big mistake). This has angered our "Mayor for life" and now she wants payback - after all what's the point of getting elected if you can't vanquish your enemies?. So our current deputies got the shaft so she can install someone loyal to her and will crack the whip at the next election. It was supposed to be Vana but she got busted (thank you Patch!) on that when she tried the good old announce-it-on-Friday-and-ram-it-though-on-Monday strategy. When she realized that the council may end up NOT picking "her guy" if presented with a choice of 3 qualified candidates, she waved her magic wand and made them disappear. Our city government may not be transparent - but the politics are as easy to read as an open book
Matt Goodwin
11:10 pm on Monday, September 19, 2011
Congrats Chief Brown, I hope that you prove me and everyone else wrong. I hope what is said about you is wrong and that you will not be the figure head, political appointee of Mayor Weaver; validating what just happened tonight.
To Deputy Chief Skala and Deputy Chief Cooper, I am truly sorry that neither one of you were selected. If it ends up being your decision to leave Darien, we understand the circumstances and your decision. However, it will be our loss if you should leave. The years of dedicated service that you have given to this City, through good times and bad, are admirable and commendable. As a police officer, I would be happy to serve for you wherever you decide to go. Thank you very much, and on behalf of the citizens of Darien, THANK YOU!!!
Tom Koz
12:57 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I had once checked about a possible recall for our state rep Jim Durkin, who by the way also needs to be replaced, no such luck. No recall provisions in Illinois. Go figure.
Mark Kiwiet
11:21 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
How are you supposed to abuse your authority if the citizens can fight back? Of course there is no recall process. Why do you think we have our elections on a wacky off-year spring cycle? We don't people to vote right? You never know what they will do.
Danny Maddox
9:37 am on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Time for Lawyers, when the mayor calls one of the top citizens a Drunk. Sue the city and her. I will give $100.00 to the lawyer fund for Rick. How much will you give. e mail me. lets take our city back from this mayor and all the alderman that sold out darien. that voted for something they did not know any thing about.
Mark Kiwiet
10:57 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Put me down for $100 - as long as we sue HER and not the city - no point in suing ourselves ;)
Nancy Urban
10:03 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
I have read all of the comments so far and have done some research into Mr. Brown. I am sickened. Yes, true, Mr. Brown is SLIGHTLY qualified for this position, however I think the point that needs to be driven home is we need a fundamental change in our elected officials. If an Alderman admits and understands this was not the best for Darien, yet still votes in favor of it, why is that Alderman representing us in Darien? Why is this woman(Mayor Weaver) allowed to run roughshod over our rights as citizens of Darien to voice our opinion and views? The Mayor is here to serve US- the residents of Darien. It appears she is not making decisions in the best interests of the community, but in the best interests of Mayor Weaver. We, as a community, put her into office. Now how do we get her out?
Mark Kiwiet
11:16 pm on Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The key is the Alder-persons - they need to feel the heat continuously - and they come up for election sooner. If you take away her rubber stamp, you take away her power. Politicians like Weaver and her cadre of Weaver-ites count on our collective apathy to stay in power no matter what kind of crooked crap they pull. They've all been hand picked and blessed by powers that be and once elected, they kiss the ring and obey.
Don't think for 1 second that there was any drama about that vote last night - there is no way Weaver calls that vote unless she has the votes in advance. We never see the real meeting - the one that happens behind closed doors. The rest is just a carnival act to entertain us uppity citizens and make us believe that we had a fair say on the matter.
"Citizens Search Committee" my ass.
The Patch is a game changer - they hate this website - it screws everything up for them.
They have to post the agenda for each meeting 72 hours in advance - so the old process they had of posting in on Friday and ramming it thru on Monday used to work when we had the old printed newspapers which gave the citizens no time to mobilize any opposition. The Patch allows us to socially network and spread the word over the weekend now - this is bad for business as usual.
Keep it up.
Steven Hayes
8:51 am on Wednesday, September 21, 2011
When are the next alderman elections?
Matt Goodwin
8:15 am on Friday, September 23, 2011
Steven,
The odd numbered wards are up for election in 2013. That is the following (and how they voted):
Ward 1 - Ted Schauer (Yes)
Ward 3 - John Poteraske (Yes)
Ward 5 - Joe Marchese (No)
Ward 7 - Halil Avci (Yes)
Matt Goodwin
8:27 am on Friday, September 23, 2011
Also, a few other resources for anyone that is interested:
1) Anyone who is interested in running for election to any of the positions (anywhere in the government) should see the electoral information here: http://www.dupageelections.com/pages.asp?pageid=210
2) If you click this link and pull up the .pdf document, you can search "Darien" and find the results of the last election for the odd numbered alderman seats. It will show you how many votes each alderman got to win their race and how many registered voters there are in each ward. http://cms.dupageelections.com/uploads/JID37_4%207%2009%20Final%20Totals%20City-Villages%20Report.pdf
3) This link is the same as the last one except for the election held this year. You can see the same votes/registered voter information for the even numbered wards, the mayor, city clerk, and treasurer. http://cms.dupageelections.com/uploads/JID37_4%205%2011%20Election%20Summary.pdf
F Scholer
11:36 am on Friday, September 23, 2011
I have a friend who once was a chicago cop. He quit after several years. He became extremely nervous on the backups when he got called. He was an honest cop.
Everyone knows that all promotions in Chicago are polltcally motivated. Time for a few to move on.