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March 18, 2015
County Board
Declines 2nd Chance to Discuss and
Vote on Downsizing Referendum
I presented a minority opinion asking to not accept the Governmental Affairs
Committee’s decision to NOT move the resolution to put the downsizing referendum
to the full board. In essence, I was asking the board to have a chance to vote
on this important issue rather than killing in committee.
As I am a minority of the committee appointed who does not agreeing with the
majority, I expressed views regarding moving the downsizing referendum
resolution to full board for discussion and a vote.
On August 26, 2014, a resolution was passed unanimously for Governmental Affairs
Committee for review and determination of when it can be submitted to the voters
of Rock Island County. It read as this:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of the County of Rock Island,
Illinois, that the following binding resolution be submitted to the Rock Island
County Board Governmental Affairs Committee for review and determination of the
next available election where it can be submitted to the voters of the County to
Rock Island:
A review took place in Governmental Affairs
A determination of when this can be placed on the ballot was
made in Governmental Affairs.
But they did not follow through the directive of the board by
passing this onto the full board. This is in conflict and contradiction of the
unanimous vote and wishes of the full board as they were directed. They were not
directed to make a decision as to whether this should be on the ballot but THAT
was reserved for the full board to discuss and decide.
I recommended and made a motion to move
the question out of committee with the findings and dates the Governmental
Affairs Committee for discussion and vote at April’s meeting.
Those voting in favor of having this going
to full board were:
Dewayne Cremeens (R) Rapids City
Chris Filbert (R) Cordova
Don Johnston (D) Moline
Drue Mielke (R) Coal Valley
Ron Oelke (R) Andalusia
Mike Steffen (R) Moline
Argument was made that the one time cost of $57,000 for redistricting is
irresponsible.
I stated this IGNORES the YEARLY salary savings would be at LEAST $54,000
each year for 5 years until 2022.
It is better to let the voters hear all
the pros and cons and put this on the ballot so they have a voice in there form
and size of county government.
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The unanimous
decision to move the downsizing referendum proposal to the Governmental Affairs.
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March 13, 2015
The path to downsizing the
county board has been killed in committee.
I champion the
Dispatch/Argus for involving the public with their editorial on March 13th.
http://www.qconline.com/editorials/editorial-once-again-rico-change-in-the-hands-of-citizens/
This was taken from further discussion in the March 9th Governmental Affairs
Committee meeting. The chair of the committee voted to move this to the
full board but members on the committee voted against moving this issue so it
can be discussed and voted on by the full board.
There are elected county board members who will obstruct, threaten, delay,
stall, to make sure downsizing happen. It could have been done in 2014. They
don't want it. Period. And will use multiple tactics to assure it dies rather
than give people a voice in determining their form of government.
Jan. 7, 2013: I fought in Governmental Affairs when I was given Attorney
General opinion from 1974 and 1976. There was an exception that allowed
downsizing.
Jan 15, 2013 board meeting: I stood up and said that there was an
exceptional circumstance that existed that would allow us to downsize in 2014.
Jan. 17, 2013: Part of my documents on downsizing links were taken from
me. I had some of my documents but not all when I went to Springfield to speak
to the State Board of Elections.
February 19, 2013 board meeting: I agreed to having a new opinion from
the Attorney General given that I disagreed with most that the board was not
able to be downsized.
Friday, April 12, 2013 8:15 am: Following up on the status of this
request, I was told by the county board chairman three times “to be very
careful” in a low, slow, and threatening tone. He also stated “a lot of people
can get hurt”
Friday, September 12, 2014: I am now made aware of the documents that
were taken as they appear in a political attack ad. Complete falsehoods were
made.
Monday, September 15, 2014: I was told that these documents "were left"
which is not true because I had most of my documents from that evening.
These printed paper documents are stolen property. Regardless, theft of Lost or
Mislaid Property has occurred by in this county that is not ethical or lawful
for the to possess them without my knowledge or permission,
A person commits theft of lost or mislaid property when he or she obtains
control over the property and:
(a) Knows or learns the identity of the owner or knows, or is aware of, or
learns of a reasonable
method of identifying the owner, and
(b) Fails to take reasonable measures to restore the property to the owner, and
(c) Intends to deprive the owner permanently of the use or benefit of the
property.
I add that in certain elected positions, it is unethical to be in possession of
stolen property and hold to use later for distorted political gain.
I was never told that anyone possessed my property, no attempt was made to
return my property, and the perpetrators know that I am the owner.
I add that in certain elected positions, it is unethical to be in possession of
stolen property and hold to use later for distorted political gain.
This is what has occurred over this "downsizing" issue in Rock Island County. We
deserve better government than this and I will continue to fight to provide it.
Drue Mielke
Rock Island County Board
District 22 - Coal Valley/Moline
email: countyboard@DrueMielke.com
www.DrueMielke.com
(309) 235-7493
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