According to the Journal-Standard and their human echo, Travis Morse, the written statement provided by Stephenson County Board District F representative and current board chairman, John Blum contained the following:
"Stephenson County is currently involved in a number of issues requiring a significant amount of my time and attention over the next few weeks and months...These issues art too important and sensitive for them to be directly connected any political campaign or election. Therefore, I have made the decision to remove my name from the Republican primary ballot...I will continue to personally evaluate and consider my options for continued service to the people of Stephenson County. There are a number of good people on the March 2012 primary ballot and there will be more in the November 2012 general election. However, it will be up to all of you to vote for the best ones. I will continue to serve with the highest level of energy and professionalism until the voters of our great county say otherwise."
"Important" and "sensitive" issues are the exact reasons we have elections every so often, so voters can decide who is on the side of the public. Could you imagine if the the President of the United States (regardless of party) would say "Fellow Americans, due to all of the "important" and "sensitive" information I have to work on, I am foregoing the primary election. John Blum's reasoning is as absurd as it is delusional.
And how does John Blum know that there will be "more" candidates in the general election than in the primary election? Independent candidates can not begin circulating petitions until March. He must think the voters in District F are all idiots.
Blum's last sentence is completely delusional, he writes that he will continue to serve "until the voters of our great county say otherwise." Does John Blum even realize that the voters of this "county" don't have a say so in the District F race? Only those that live in District F can vote or not vote for John Blum. For John Blum to act like he represents the citizens of Stephenson County when in fact he only represents the Stephenson County Board in decisions that have already been made, is total delusion on his part and one of the largest reasons Stephenson County faces so many grave financial problmes. Even if John Blum can win in District F, it does not mean that he will be reseated as the Chairman of the Stephenson County Board. Under the Illinois Township form of county government, the chairman is just a board member and any power beyond that is simply cursory.
In the front page, but three day late, Journal-Standard story, reporter Travis Morse, the human echo, seeks out two of Blum's biggest and blindest supporters for comment. Democratic Stephenson County board members Jeff Mikkelsen and Sheila Hooper are fretting over what would happen to Stephenson County if John Blum isn't there...as if he is the only one that can perform the chairman's duties...both Boyd Boyer and Dean Danner, did a better job than John Blum has done.
Instead of wringing their hands over the possible absence of John Blum I would like to see Mikkelsen and Hooper name three positive things that have happened in Stephenson County since John Blum has been chairman. Think they could do that? Tutty highly doubt that they could come up with one positive thing. Mikkelsen and Hooper's comments make it clear why there should be term limits on even the lowest of governmental offices. These two act like if John Blum is not elected that we might cease to function as a county, what a bunch of phooey.
Life is for the living and no matter who dies or who doesn't get re-elected life will go on. Stephenson County will be here and will be functioning just fine (maybe better) without John Blum or anyone else for that matter. Regardless of who drops over dead in Freeport/Stephenson County, business will not cease, life, as it should, always goes on--are Mikkelsen and Hooper suggesting that somehow the other Stephenson County officials will not know how to function without John Blum on the Stephenson County Board?
What becomes really clear to Tutty throughout this entire saga is how much John Blum and his followers are driven by egotistical delusion. Issues are too "important" and "sensitive" to be mired in politics according to Blum and his followers. Blum said it, not Tutty.
Well folks, in this country, state, county and city we embrace politics to help us determine the feelings of the majority, whenever a local leader is doing their best to avoid the politics of their position they are doing a disservice to the public they claim to represent. Please John Blum logically explain it differently...at least to the District F voters. Talk about making a mockery of the democratic process.
And John Blum claims that he carries the trait of "professionalism"...did Tutty mention how egotistically delusional this episode proves John Blum to be?
As always, yours in honesty, Tutty Baker tutty.baker@gmail.com
Even the some of the 14 knaves & jesters of the Steph. Co. board, members of King John's court, would know it 'tis better to enter as an independent candidate. Fewer of commoners to take votes from the King. Splitting the vote amongst four candidate could lead to a "dethronement". The King maybe banished to the Land of Millstone Crossing, where no one ever goes. This way "King" can make a grand entry come this fall, as citizens of his fair empire, beg and plead for King John not to leave. "Oh King John, please give up the "important" and "sensitive" issues of the empire and lead us into the fairy land of make believe and prosperity. And all the "knaves and jesters" of his County Board kingdom and good Knight NIDA nod their heads in agreement, just a loyal bobbing head doll would do.
ReplyDeleteKing Johns' name precedes him. The only people voting for him will be those that have something to gain and everything to lose, and those who haven't been paying attention.
ReplyDelete