Pulse: Walsh’s official county literature irks Singer
September 16, 2012 8:00PM
Walsh
Updated: October 18, 2012 6:04AM
Will County Board member Cory Singer,R-Frankfort, said it’s “horribly inappropriate” for his election opponent, incumbent Will County Executive Larry Walsh, to use official county literature at campaign events because the items were paid for with tax dollars.
One of the brochures is a “History of the County Executive’s Office,” which informs readers that Walsh has had a “long, distinguished career in public service” and has been “hailed” for his ability to get the job done.
Walsh, an Elwood Democrat, said he simply was informing voters about county offices with the items, which also included census data and phone numbers for many county officials.
“It’s public information,” Walsh said. “It doesn’t have anything on there (saying) ‘Vote for Larry Walsh.’ ”
Walsh said he would check with Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow.
“If I made a screw up ... then I’ll personally apologize for it,” he added.
GOP’s case crumbles
Will County Republican Party Chairman Ed Ronkowski wasn’t happy with last week’s decision by the Illinois Appellate Court to reinstate seven Democrats running for Will County Board to the Nov. 6 ballot.
“I was shocked,” he said. “We had a very strong case.”
At the local level, the Republicans had successfully challenged the way the Democrats were selected to fill ballot vacancies.
“An all-Democrat Appellate Court reinstated them,” Ronkowski said. “Go figure.”
Slammer calls
Some locals doubt the value of independent minor-league baseball in Joliet. But lots of people in the business are interested.
“When the word got out that the Slammers were considering a sale, my phone started ringing with prospective buyers,” City Manager Thomas Thanas said.
The city does not own the team, but it does own the stadium. And, the main thing a buyer gets when buying the Slammers is the lease for Silver Cross Field. The Joliet City Council has to approve the sale.
The word as of Friday was that no sale proposals were ready to go to the council for its meetings Monday and Tuesday. And, yes, there may be more than one proposal to consider.
Skin in the game
The Chicago Public Schools and its striking teachers aren’t the only ones grappling with the soaring cost of benefits, said Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort. The county’s health insurance bill has jumped from $10 million to $40 million in the past 12 years.
“(Public employees) need to understand that the people who pay your health insurance — the taxpayers — their health insurance has changed, too. The amount they contribute has changed. Why do you think yours should stay the same?”
Moustis has a solution.
“There has to be more skin in the game for everyone,” he said.
Cindy Wojdyla Cain and Bob Okon contributed to Pulse.
