On July 10, a re-print of Terri Glass’ Letter to the Editor of the Boone County Journal was posted—I am re-posting it and my Freedom of Information Act request to Chairman Walberg. I am requesting that Mr. Walberg release the names of all applicants who filed for the two remaining Board of Health seats. I hope Mr. Walberg will comply, supply the names in a timely manner so Ms. Glass and all of the board will give their advise and consent to two well qualified candidates.
Dear Editor:
I would like to respond to a recently published letter
written by Mr. Bob Walberg. He references a “scheme” by
six county board members. The idea of a “scheme” could
not be further from the truth. Perhaps he is simply confused.
Six people just seemed to see that the Board of Health had
some definitive problems. I, for one, fielded many complaints
from Boone county residents regarding the Boone
County Board of Health. Ironically, Mr. Walberg suggests
that a “scheme” was used by six board members to remove
those Board of Health members: then, by default, there was
a scheme by the other six board members to retain them.
From my June 16, 2010 Memo to the County Board:
“Illinois State Statute has given county boards much responsibility,
one of which is the authority to appointment
people and/or community members to serve on various
boards and committees. The County Board Chairman must
make the appointments but can only do so with the advice
and consent of the County Board.
These boards and committees are intended to serve the
interests of the community, oversee any budget and/or tax
dollars that the entity may receive and establish policies and
procedures. The people who are appointed to these committees
and boards must be held accountable for their decisions
and actions not only to the County Board but to the general
public as well.
It is only fitting that the members of the County Board
give the applicants and appointments proper consideration.
I feel that in order for me, or this County Board, to make
educated decisions regarding the appointments certain information
must be provided. I, for one, will not be a mechanism
for placing a rubber stamp on an appointment.”
In that memo I also indicated that I would vote “no” to
every appointment unless I am provided complete and adequate
information so I may render an educated opinion.
I have been vocal in my opinion on the appointment
process and lack of information. My voting “no” to all appointments
was the direct result of insufficient information
required to make educated decisions on those appointments.
Mr. Walberg states “I always ask members to call me with
questions or concerns when I make appointments.” Perhaps
Mr. Walberg is looking for the consent part of the appointment
process while disregarding the advice part. Case in
point, the filling of the District 2 position approximately one
year ago. This same board indicated that they would not fill
the position without receiving the names of all applicants.
Numerous steps were taken to prevent the dispersion of information
to the County Board in relation to the candidates
for that opening. It appears that asking for advice is one
thing and listening to that advice and furthermore following
that advice is another. I can only speak for myself, but how
can I call with questions or comments when the agenda I
am provided only says appointments and it appears on every
agenda. In addition, there are many times the candidate
information is placed on our desk the day of the County
Board meeting.
The prior practices of opening up the appointment process
not only to the Board but to the community seems to
have been shelved. The law indicates that I am to provide
advice and when applicable my consent. I do apologize to
any candidate that may fall victim, but I simply cannot or
will not vote on any issue or appointment without first having
ample opportunity to review all the information I can.
The people of Boone County deserve that.
Sincerely,
Theresa “Terri” Glass
Click on the photocopy to enlarge:
