http://www.daily-chronicle.com/articles/2009/11/28/78537973/index.xml
Created: Saturday, November 28, 2009 12:27 a.m. CST
Our View: Absences leave 3rd Ward without representation
DeKalb's 3rd Ward had been saddled with enough of a problem when its alderman's recent business dealings with the city were called into question.
But now Victor Wogen has just stopped showing up at city council meetings.
Wogen missed both of November's meetings, as well as a special meeting between the city council and the Finance Advisory Committee. When the Daily Chronicle tried to reach him Tuesday, his cell phone number had been disconnected. He didn't respond to an attempt to reach him via e-mail.
It might have been awkward for him to attend the recent meetings, considering that the council was discussing changes to policies when there's a financial conflict of interest at hand. The changes stem from public projects that Wogen's now-defunct masonry company performed in 2008 by submitting the lowest bid quote to the city. Each of the six projects was less than $20,000, so they didn't require city council action.
Mayor Kris Povlsen said he thinks Wogen should make public statements about his status on the council, but Povlsen said that was Wogen's decision.
But it's clear that the situation can't continue. DeKalb's 3rd Ward needs a representative. Voters elected Wogen. If he continues to miss council meetings, then he isn't doing his job.
According to city ordinance, any council member who isn't at a meeting without a good reason can be fined. Povlsen said city officials might need to take action in the near future, and that should happen as soon as possible.
Wogen is certainly not the first public official to face controversy. This state has a long list of officials that have been under fire for many reasons. But most of them still performed their duties. Some resigned. Doing nothing is the worst option. The 3rd Ward deserves better than that.
Copyright © 2009 Daily Chronicle. All rights reserved.
Created: Saturday, November 28, 2009 12:27 a.m. CST
Our View: Absences leave 3rd Ward without representation
DeKalb's 3rd Ward had been saddled with enough of a problem when its alderman's recent business dealings with the city were called into question.
But now Victor Wogen has just stopped showing up at city council meetings.
Wogen missed both of November's meetings, as well as a special meeting between the city council and the Finance Advisory Committee. When the Daily Chronicle tried to reach him Tuesday, his cell phone number had been disconnected. He didn't respond to an attempt to reach him via e-mail.
It might have been awkward for him to attend the recent meetings, considering that the council was discussing changes to policies when there's a financial conflict of interest at hand. The changes stem from public projects that Wogen's now-defunct masonry company performed in 2008 by submitting the lowest bid quote to the city. Each of the six projects was less than $20,000, so they didn't require city council action.
Mayor Kris Povlsen said he thinks Wogen should make public statements about his status on the council, but Povlsen said that was Wogen's decision.
But it's clear that the situation can't continue. DeKalb's 3rd Ward needs a representative. Voters elected Wogen. If he continues to miss council meetings, then he isn't doing his job.
According to city ordinance, any council member who isn't at a meeting without a good reason can be fined. Povlsen said city officials might need to take action in the near future, and that should happen as soon as possible.
Wogen is certainly not the first public official to face controversy. This state has a long list of officials that have been under fire for many reasons. But most of them still performed their duties. Some resigned. Doing nothing is the worst option. The 3rd Ward deserves better than that.
Copyright © 2009 Daily Chronicle. All rights reserved.
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