http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2009/09/24/99313092/index.xml
"Our View: Fuss over alderman misplaced"
DeKalb 3rd Ward Alderman Victor Wogen says he has been living outside of his ward for five weeks.
Wogen is accused of shoving his wife and has been charged with domestic battery. The decision about that belongs in a courtroom.
But some people think it's unacceptable that Wogen has been living outside his ward. Not outside the city, not outside the state, but outside his ward.
We're not forming an opinion here on Wogen's effectiveness as an alderman. And we're not forming an opinion about his personal strife – a judge or jury will listen to the facts and reach a conclusion in that matter.
We are saying this residency drama is much ado about nothing. Maybe it's better said that it's much ado about displaced and misplaced opinions. You think Wogen isn't doing his job as an alderman? Let him know at the ballot box at the next opportunity.
The fact that Wogen is, he says, temporarily living outside his ward does not affect his ability to represent constituents one whit.
City code is silent on the question of residency requirements. That's right – city code doesn't even require the alderman to live in his ward. State law leaves decisions about how to handle these situations to city councils and mayors.
Mayor Kris Povlsen appears to be a voice of reason in this situation. He doesn't seem to think Wogen's residency will be a long-term problem and seems to take Wogen at his word that the alderman will move back into his ward.
“He is an individual that wants to represent his citizenry while he’s going through these difficult times,” Povlsen said.
For his part, Wogen says he's still available to constituents by phone. He said he hopes to secure a place to live – in his ward – within a couple of weeks.
It might be a novel idea, but we believe him.
Copyright © 2009 Daily Chronicle. All rights reserved.
"Our View: Fuss over alderman misplaced"
DeKalb 3rd Ward Alderman Victor Wogen says he has been living outside of his ward for five weeks.
Wogen is accused of shoving his wife and has been charged with domestic battery. The decision about that belongs in a courtroom.
But some people think it's unacceptable that Wogen has been living outside his ward. Not outside the city, not outside the state, but outside his ward.
We're not forming an opinion here on Wogen's effectiveness as an alderman. And we're not forming an opinion about his personal strife – a judge or jury will listen to the facts and reach a conclusion in that matter.
We are saying this residency drama is much ado about nothing. Maybe it's better said that it's much ado about displaced and misplaced opinions. You think Wogen isn't doing his job as an alderman? Let him know at the ballot box at the next opportunity.
The fact that Wogen is, he says, temporarily living outside his ward does not affect his ability to represent constituents one whit.
City code is silent on the question of residency requirements. That's right – city code doesn't even require the alderman to live in his ward. State law leaves decisions about how to handle these situations to city councils and mayors.
Mayor Kris Povlsen appears to be a voice of reason in this situation. He doesn't seem to think Wogen's residency will be a long-term problem and seems to take Wogen at his word that the alderman will move back into his ward.
“He is an individual that wants to represent his citizenry while he’s going through these difficult times,” Povlsen said.
For his part, Wogen says he's still available to constituents by phone. He said he hopes to secure a place to live – in his ward – within a couple of weeks.
It might be a novel idea, but we believe him.
Copyright © 2009 Daily Chronicle. All rights reserved.
2 comments:
The novel idea would have been for Wogen to step up and TELL THE TRUTH about where he was living. The "fuss" is a result of him not having the character to face up to his actions. As an aside I have a suggestion for Wogen Watch. Please add a counter that will tick off the time this guy has left in office. Maybe that will give us all some hope that this saga will someday END!!!!!!
I LIKE the counter idea!
The non-daily DC has become a house organ for ReNuke Dekalb and the current city government. It is a disgrace. COMPLAIN directly to the few advertisers they have left.
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