http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2009/11/03/78289092/index.xml
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 9:03 p.m.
To the editor:
As both a concerned citizen and a student of political science, I frequently question the motivations of political actors while analyzing the operation of governing institutions. If you have been following the newspaper and blogs in recent years, then you know that some local officials have serious credibility problems. Personally, I find it all rather unsettling because political corruption starts somewhere, and public confidence plummets when citizens feel they cannot trust the individuals elected and appointed to govern on their behalf.
Amidst the discussion of city contracts being awarded to sitting alderman, City Manager Mark Biernacki defends choosing Alderman Wogen’s now-defunct, private company on the grounds that he saved us money. This morally bankrupt rationalization leaves me with two questions. First, if he truly cares about the taxpayers, then why isn’t his primary concern the manner in which the city conducts its business? Secondly, why isn’t he concerned about who the city conducts its business with?
The more I think about this whole ordeal, the more I am convinced that projects of this nature should always be examined by the entire council. Honestly, I do not trust the city manager to make good decisions with his existing unilateral, discretionary expenditure power. Furthermore, I believe that it is far too convenient that Alderman Wogen ran for office and won in 2007 when these 2008 contracts involve work inside the Third Ward.
Since we live in a democracy, we deserve better from our city leaders. We should not accept their exercises in poor judgment and the weak excuses that follow – excuses that are geared toward placating voters, not resolving the larger problems. We must firmly insist upon a change of actors as well as the normative behavior that permeates City Hall. Biernacki and Wogen should take the only respectable course of action at this point: resign immediately. Moreover, a new policy should be enacted that not only constrains the city manager’s ability to act in a unilateral capacity, but also promotes greater disclosure. Please e-mail and call your alderman to demand reform today.
John A. Duerk
DeKalb
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 9:03 p.m.
To the editor:
As both a concerned citizen and a student of political science, I frequently question the motivations of political actors while analyzing the operation of governing institutions. If you have been following the newspaper and blogs in recent years, then you know that some local officials have serious credibility problems. Personally, I find it all rather unsettling because political corruption starts somewhere, and public confidence plummets when citizens feel they cannot trust the individuals elected and appointed to govern on their behalf.
Amidst the discussion of city contracts being awarded to sitting alderman, City Manager Mark Biernacki defends choosing Alderman Wogen’s now-defunct, private company on the grounds that he saved us money. This morally bankrupt rationalization leaves me with two questions. First, if he truly cares about the taxpayers, then why isn’t his primary concern the manner in which the city conducts its business? Secondly, why isn’t he concerned about who the city conducts its business with?
The more I think about this whole ordeal, the more I am convinced that projects of this nature should always be examined by the entire council. Honestly, I do not trust the city manager to make good decisions with his existing unilateral, discretionary expenditure power. Furthermore, I believe that it is far too convenient that Alderman Wogen ran for office and won in 2007 when these 2008 contracts involve work inside the Third Ward.
Since we live in a democracy, we deserve better from our city leaders. We should not accept their exercises in poor judgment and the weak excuses that follow – excuses that are geared toward placating voters, not resolving the larger problems. We must firmly insist upon a change of actors as well as the normative behavior that permeates City Hall. Biernacki and Wogen should take the only respectable course of action at this point: resign immediately. Moreover, a new policy should be enacted that not only constrains the city manager’s ability to act in a unilateral capacity, but also promotes greater disclosure. Please e-mail and call your alderman to demand reform today.
John A. Duerk
DeKalb
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1 comment:
Here's a comment on the "Chronicle's" blog that will probably disappear when the moderator gets around to it:
"meathead38oz wrote on November 7, 2009 7:27 a.m.
"is there a way to check exactly whose computer and time that o&i (aka city employee dawn didier) is using????? many of her comments concerning taxpayers that are paying her check if very offending sometimes especially if being done on work time. "
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