September County Board Meeting
There were a few items of interest at the County Board meeting last night, besides a contentious zoning dispute.
A resolution passed to renew a lease agreement with Watts Copy Systems. I decided to check the Illinois Board of Elections website and discovered that Watts Copy and its owners have given tens of thousands of dollars in political contributions and in-kind donations over the past several years, mostly to Republicans. That includes $650.00 to the Sangamon County Board Republican Election Committee and thousands to the Sangamon County Republican Party.
You will also find that the local company Levi, Ray and Shoup gave thousands of dollars to the same two organizations before receiving the contract to provide software for the new voting machines. I guess that's just business as usual in county government.
In another part of the meeting, some board members apparently decided it was a good time to hold a campaign rally for Raymond Poe. Several board members, including my opponent, spoke out against a resolution proposed by Sam Cahnman by accusing him of grandstanding and wasting time. Ironically, the debate would have been over in one or two minutes if those board members had not taken up so much time grandstanding. There was a personal comment or two made that I won't repeat here.
I can be as partisan as anyone during election season, but that should be left at the door when its time to conduct government business. There's no reason for local government to be so partisan and personal. I think a few county board members should read the section in Robert's Rules of Order about decorum in public meetings and restrict campaigning to their own time.
A bright spot of the meeting was the report on a survey and a series of public meetings held regarding the health department. It looks like the health department staff did a good job seeking opinions from the public and trying to create a dialogue about where new facilities should be located.
Unfortunately, the County Board itself did not continue that positive approach once the report reached them. It would have been nice if the public in attendance were given copies of the report. It would have been even better if it were posted on the county website. I don't suspect there is anything sinister about the lackluster effort to inform and involve the public on the County Board's part. I think it's a force of habit and it says something about a persons' basic attitude about how government should relate to the citizens who rightfully control it.
After this meeting, I am more convinced than ever that important fundamental changes must be made to the way Sangamon County government operates.
Comments
Keep up the good work, Will. I'm pretty sure I'm not in your district, but I hope you do get elected.
We need more transparency from our county government. I was quite disappointed to read some testimony against Cecil Turner in his trial today that mentioned his wife's name. She's on the board as I recall.
Also, that County Board Health Department web site needs a major revamping. It is inaccessible for one thing. And, there's no up to date information on pending health violations listed.
Posted by: Marie | September 13, 2006 2:17 PM
I'm not saying you're lying about contributors, but one can't find much info that you've stated is there. Also, Levi et al are know Dem contributors too....you should hit them up for some cash. Nobody does anthing for 650.00 bucks Will....come on, you must know that.
Posted by: "Will" you plese stop this silliness | October 10, 2006 4:23 PM
To Silliness,
Everything I site is directly from the State Board of Elections website. So no one else has the same problem, here's the link directly to the Republican County Board report: http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetail.aspx?id=10535
You should try a contributor search if you're having trouble. Searches for Watts and Levi will turn up a lot.
As you know, the companies with county contracts that gave to the County Board Republican fund also give to the Sangamon County Republican party, so we're talking about far more than $650. And frankly, I don't care if LRS gives to the Democrats as well. I don't play politics like its a baseball game of Democrats v. Republicans. Just because both parties do something, doesn't make it right.
I think this is my first negative comment, so thanks for giving me the opportunity to respond to your thoughts.
Posted by: Will Reynolds | October 10, 2006 4:38 PM
For the record (for what it is worth), Watts has the city contract and NUMEROUS contracts around central illinois (from both Dems and Republicans)and they have nothing to do with politics....sorry to rain on your parade.
Posted by: silliness | October 11, 2006 1:19 PM
How would someone go about proving the contracts have nothing to do with politics? On what basis could anyone make that statement given the fact that Watts Copy Systems gives a lot of money and in-kind donations to elected officials who vote on their government contracts?
Enough companies with county contracts are Republican donors that a pattern has emerged. Ulitmately, elected officials are responsible for changing that system, not individual companies trying to do business. I don't blame Watts Copy; I blame those currently running county government. Donations to candidates for county office from companies that contract with the county should be prohibited.
Posted by: Will Reynolds | October 11, 2006 1:34 PM