by: Diane Benjamin
I have no idea why Mayor Renner got so upset about Alderwoman Stearns filing with the Attorney General concerning what she deemed an inappropriate Executive Session. When Stearns walked out of the meeting she made it clear to the entire Council that, in her opinion, the topics being discussed violated the rules for Executive Sessions. She also stated that she would be filing a Request for Review with the Attorney General’s Office.
No one present during the Executive Session took the opportunity to discuss the situation with her when the Council met later in the day in regular session. City Officials NEVER discussed the situation with her – until they were notified by the Attorney General to turn over the tape of the meeting. Did they think she wouldn’t file? Ms. Stearns believes laws are meant to be followed, of course she was going to file.
It appears that some officials and parts of the media may be plotting ways to marginalize Alderwoman Stearns and they probably already have a candidate to run against her in the next City election. Exposing City wrongdoing must be punished – according to some. The citizens should be celebrating that one elected official is holding government accountable.
Those possibly plotting against Stearns need to hear a short story about a guy in Illinois who found himself in a very similar situation:
Erik Spande, Winfield, IL was recognized for his dedication to serving the public interest, even at the expense of censorship from his fellow public officials. Mr. Spande is a Village trustee in Winfield whose Board met in executive session several times to discuss the disbanding of the Winfield Police Department and the contracting of police services to the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office. Trustee Spande opposed discussions in executive session due to them being on matters of significant public interest, and not falling under an appropriate exemption of the Open Meetings Act. Trustee Spande took several actions: he published he detailed notes from the closed session tapes in a local paper, spoke out against the closed door discussions, and read his notes from the closed session tape in open session. In response, the majority of the Village Board voted to censure and remove Trustee Spande from a Village Board meeting by police escort. For several months prior to Mr. Spande’s disclosure, the Center worked with members of the Winfield community to help them speak out about the ongoing lack of accountability at the Village Board and organize for change.
This report is from the Citizens Advocacy Center: http://www.citizenadvocacycenter.org/uploads/8/8/4/0/8840743/annual_report_2012.pdf
The Citizens Advocacy Center is also assisting Alderwoman Stearns. Trustee Spande discussed the content of the Executive Session publicly. Alderwoman Stearns has not, otherwise the situation is the same.
One more note: Check out who is now the Village President: http://www.villageofwinfield.com/index.aspx?NID=128
Is following the laws really that difficult?
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You are correct. Stearns HAS been targeted for defeat in the next council election. 2 candidates are already poised to run. It will cost Stearns at least $ 20,000 to even run a competitive race. The gloves WILL be off. Stearns backstabbed too many players too often. Lower will be gone the next time he is up as well.
Backstabbed? Please explain.
Spotlight on Truth, how can you say that Alderman Stearns is a backstabber when she told them plainly to their faces before she filed with the Attorney General’s office because “they” were violating the Open Meetings Act. That is not backstabbing! That is called standing for TRUTH. Maybe I’m reading you wrong but do you want a city run by a Mayor who would make rules behind the citizens back with a rubber stamp 9 council?
“Truth Is Treason In An Empire Of Lies.” – George Orwell
Spotlight, you’re beam low beam. Ald. Stearns is hardly a “backstabber” -she tells it like it is and is beholding only to the truth, the law, and her constituents. With slime politicians like Mayor Renner, Ald. Fuzzi, and a few others including our overpaid and underproductive City Manager, we need people like Ald. Stearns on the Council.