by Dan Mancuso,
publisher
Like many of you I read in the Illinois Valley News last week that the commissioners have decided to replace all members on county advisory boards citing lack of production and/or compliance by neglecting to keep minutes of meetings.
No letters were sent or calls made to sitting board members. I happen to be on two. Oddly the two I sit on are the only two that were singled out during the meeting. Illinois Valley Airport advisory board and the county budget committee.
Now, I’m pretty sure a county employee does that for the airport board. The budget meets live and video is posted on the county website complete with agenda and minutes. Again, a county employee does that. Heck, three county commissioners sit on it as well, so I am not falling for that line of bull.
During the meeting it was mentioned that it had been discussed a few days earlier, yet I am not capable of finding anything remotely close to a conversation about that. Guess it wasn’t a public meeting; just a few guys chatting around the water cooler. Certainly, it couldn’t have been an illegal meeting, right?
So, like a good boy, I did as I was told and submitted my application last week.
Current makeup of the board is Nathan Seable with two years on the board, then Jacob Brumbach and myself, both with three years on.
Interestingly enough, the three commissioners have zero time on the board. I have yet to see two of them at any of the budget meetings I have been a part of. The third sat in the back twice, playing on his phone, rarely looking up.
Seems to me that our county officials have taken on the Project 2025 game plan. Offer people to quit with pay. Remove anyone that they feel isn’t “loyal” to the current board. Shut down voices that aren’t opinions they like.
The more you look, the more that the swamp isn’t being drained, it’s being filled with alligators.
The only difference between the Josephine County Democrats and the Republican parties is Democrats feel being morally right is more important than actually winning elections. The Republicans don’t even care about electing people that can do the job as long as they win.
The new treasurer allegedly is so inept, he doesn’t know how to attach a document to an email. In an attempt to right the wrong, the county offered Eve Arce her job back. They have proposed creating an assistant treasurer position, allowing Arce to do all the work, with half the pay. Thanks, but no thanks!
Another interesting thing is that one department head is now at nearly all the meetings and always has input on the topic at hand. This seems odd to me; it looks like he could be running the show.
By now I think you all can likely say, I am concerned about what’s happening in our county’s highest office.
Many people in the county and across the country are getting angry. We have to take the power back, and I don’t mean the Democrats or traditional Republicans, both are the same side of the coin. I mean “We the people.” All Americans, all patriots, regardless of political persuasion.
Rage Against the Machine lyrics say it best: “If we don’t take action now, we’ll settle for nothing later.”
Our elected officials might be wise to heed, “Hungry people don’t stay hungry for long. They get hope from fire and smoke as the weak grow strong.” Again, Rage Against the Machine.
Yes, I have been renewing my love for Rage Against the Machine lately.
Thank you for picking up this week’s paper. Enjoy! ~ djm