Pulse: County board could succumb to ‘triskaidekaphobia’
November 11, 2012 8:12PM
Will County Board member Cory Singer
Article Extras
Updated: December 13, 2012 6:06AM
With 13 Democrats and 13 Republicans elected Tuesday and 2013 just a few weeks away, Will County board members could develop a case of triskaidekaphobia, a fear of the number 13. But board member Don Gould, R-Shorewood, has no fear. He thinks the numbers will lead to an era of coalition government. Even though Democrats have the edge because County Executive Larry Walsh, D-Elwood, can cast tie-breaking votes, Gould said party members don’t always stick together.
After 102 years of Republican majorities, Democrats finally won the board majority in 1974. But in 1978, Ted Grabavoy didn’t have enough votes from his fellow Democrats to get elected board chairman, so he formed a coalition with Republicans, Gould said. In 1980, when Republicans took back the majority, Republican Lyman Tieman did the reverse to become chairman.
“People will form coalitions and work together for Will County,” Gould said.
Revving up the intermodals
State Rep. Larry Walsh Jr. has two intermodals in his 86th House District — CenterPoint Intermodal Center-Joliet and CenterPoint Intermodal Center-Elwood. So, it’s not surprising that the two facilities are on his agenda for legislative work in his first full term after being elected Tuesday.
“You can’t dodge away from the intermodals,” Walsh said. “They’re a huge economic engine for my district.”
One item on his agenda is work on an intergovernmental agreement on regulations for the two intermodals — something that Joliet has supported and Elwood has opposed.
What no mail?
The annual budget for the city of Joliet has been a turbulent topic in recent years, but not this year. It’s been such a quiet issue that city Finance Director Rachel Mayer told the city council last week, “We actually have not received any emails.”
Anyone who wants to look at the budget can find it on the home page of the city’s Web site, www.cityofjoliet.info.
Post election quotables
“I had a great experience on the county board and serving as president of the forest preserve district. I’m incredibly thankful to voters in Will County that I got to do that as long as I did. ... All said, I wish Mr. Walsh the best in his next four years.” — Republican Will County Board member Cory Singer, R-Frankfort, on his loss in the county executive race to incumbent Democrat Larry Walsh.
“We had a big turnout for Obama, so they benefitted from the coattails.” — Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis, R-Frankfort, talking about Democrat gains on the Will County Board.
“I think winning the legal challenge was one of the keys to the Democrats winning control of the county board.” — Will County Democratic Party Chairman Scott Pyles about Donald Moran getting elected to the board after Republicans unsuccessfully attempted to boot him and six other appointed candidates off the ballot.
Cindy Cain and Bob Okon contributed to Pulse.
