Effingham, IL. (ECWd) –
According to the Effingham Daily News, Effingham, Illinois’ new Mayor, Jeff Bloemker stated that he thinks the Open Meetings Act is “dysfunctional because it inhibits the free exchange of ideas.”
Wow, maybe he should resign now.
He thinks the Mayor is no different than a CEO of a private company. Mayor, you are wrong, there is a big difference between public and private.
He must remember that Effingham is a public body, and as such, must comply with rules that private companies don’t see, such as discussing public business at a public meeting, in a public building, with a notice and agenda published at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Read the Effingham Daily News article here.
2 Comments
Rick Scaggs
Posted at 14:26h, 07 JulyAH, we get the government we deserve. The player’s change but the game is the same.
Warren J. Le Fever
Posted at 11:15h, 11 AugustI have had the very nasty bad experience of being an elected official under a mayor who believed that a Mayor is the CEO of a city and said so. I ran for office the first time simply to help other citizens stop the abuses going on. By the end of his time as Mayor, the situation was so toxic that no communication existed between the citizens and mayor except for like minded cronies. Government is totally different from a business. The people of Effingham will eventually reject him as unfit. What the Open Meetings Act is for is to prevent insider corruption and level the playing field giving opportunities for all.. Obviously a statement like this makes Mayor Bloemker an advocate of insider corruption. He also thinks he is a lot more than what he is. When you have a mayor who feels this way, those wanting insider advantage for monetary purposes are being encouraged. Honesty is endangered. I predict a scandal (or more) in Effingham’s future. Not a good situation at all.
Someone with his attitude who says government is his hobby should find another hobby. Messing with citizen lives and future is a serious business.