No confidence vote on Boone County chairman fails - News - Rockford Register Star - Rockford, IL

 

BELVIDERE - An effort to discredit the leader of the Boone County Board failed Wednesday with the majority of board members saying they approve of Chairman Bob Walberg's leadership.

Members Bill Pysson, Cathy Ward, Marion Thornberry and Kenny Freeman attempted to convince the board to deliver a vote of no confidence, arguing that Walberg chooses not to disclose information about individuals applying for board appointments, avoids placing women in leadership roles and changes board members' committee assignments to further his personal agenda. The measure failed 4-8.

Walberg, who has chaired the board for six years, said county code gives the chairman two jobs: run the meetings and appoint individuals to committee assignments. He said he places people where he believes they will best help the county.

"(I'm) embarrassed for the board that our members would jump to this tactic when there are so many other ways to solve these issues," Walberg said.

Even if the majority of the board had delivered a vote of no confidence, it would not have had a direct impact on Walberg's chairmanship, which ends Dec. 1, 2014. Boone County State's Attorney Michelle Courier said the gesture does not have a legal effect.

Board member Brad Fidder, who is not seeking re-election, said he encourages others who are unhappy with Walberg's decisions to speak with the chairman one-on-one.

"This is nonsense. We need to be past this. We have much more important things to do beyond this," Fidder said.

Jennifer Wheeler

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