I work at JALC. I witnessed Bill Kilquist maintain his trustee position until after his hiring. I witnessed his continued employment at the college for months after he announced his candidacy for the board. These blatant public actions have been thoroughly reported here and in local newspapers.
He also seems to make questionable decisions about little things. Let me explain. One of the things most JALC employees enjoy is the ability to use a "Community" function on the college email to post such things as items for sale, yard sale notices, requests for a good plumber or painter, or other personal, non-college related items. Employees must opt in to receive such emails and those who do like the sense of community this creates. For "official" college announcements, the "Announce" function is used. Bill Kilquist frequently and consistently used the "Announce" function to send very personal, often lengthy emails (including announcing his resignation in January) to everyone at the college, This occurred on numerous occasions and I must fault his supervisors for not stopping it as would have happened to anyone else.
Two other examples – his campaign signs say "re-elect" although he is not a current board member. Note that Cheryl Graff also previously served on the board and does not use re-elect on her signs. And at least one of his signs has the Logan logo on it – use of this logo is covered in board policy (something he should know) or at least his cronies John and Steve O'Keefe should have advised him on. After all, this is part of Steve's job in college relations to be the "logo cop."
These actions not only point to errors in judgment and questionable ethics but a pattern of arrogance. Does Kilquist really think he's untouchable? I certainly hope the votes on April 9 show otherwise!
Check out the Letters to the Editor in todays Southern Illinoisan newspaper. First one is Kilquist backer and fellow worker which is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteOnly problem is I think the Southern violated their own policy for Letters to the Editor to be restricted to 700 words or less. It seems to me that Mr. Kilquist must have alot of pull with the editor of the Southern Illinoisan.
Does Kilquist really think he is untouchable? Yes, he does still think he is Sheriff Bill and I am quite sure he did a good job as the Jackson County Sheriff for all those years. He should have done all those investigations etc, but again he is given full credit for what his staff actually did.
Survey the present Jackson County Sheriffs office and see how many of those officers agree with the great facts about Mr Kilquist in the paper. I am quite sure you would be amused at the comments about their former boss.
Egotistical and power hungry is the best way to describe this man. Former employees will all tell you of his arrogant ways of dealing with people by intimidation. Problem is-HE IS NOT THE SHERIFF ANYMORE!
Kilquist was Elected, Mike. Sheila was never elected but appointed to fill his seat. She lost the next election. Can you never get anything right?
ReplyDeleteWho's Mike? Who's Sheila? I'm not sure what post you read, but it obviously wasn't this one!
DeleteYes, CHERYL was appointed -- sorry, but I don't think that error makes up for the pattern of arrogance from Kilquist.
KILQUIST FOR JALC TRUSTEE! He's a good man. He's been a family friend for many years and was my supervisor at one point.
ReplyDeleteSorry, anonymous (if you're such a good friend, why not use your name?), but being someone's family friend doesn't make him a good trustee. He's a bully, throws tantrums, intimidates people, and only cares about himself and his own family. NEW TRUSTEES, not has-beens trying to regain what they gave up the first time for personal gain. Kilquist has sucked all the money and personal benefit from jalc that he should get.
Deletewonder if this blog is the secretary of the security dept? She transferred to take that position when Kilquist came aboard as Director of Security. SAD! Kilquist secretary at the Jackson County Sheriffs dept ended up being the head secretary with a big raise prior to his departure as the sheriff. Amazingly she became his wife after his divorce.
Deleteeveryone supports their friends if they are true friends and there is nothing wrong with that and should be considered admirable. I am sure Mr. Kilquist is a good man and to some former employees he was a good supervisor. The big Question merely is he the best person for the college in a Trustee position at this point?
ReplyDeleteHis past experience as a Board Member and employee answers that question. No reason to smear him personally- just look at the facts and you will know the reason that very few people are endorsing him for the position on the board.
All candidates I am sure have some skeletons in their closet.Singling out all of the Board Members who have served the college in the past has brought out some of those skeletons to the public.
The incumbents love to deflect the blame on new candidates bringing out those facts by calling it typical election hype and mudslinging.
As a citizen and tax payer in the JALC district I applaud those individuals for bringing those facts to the public eyes.It is about time this happened because this type of intimidation and arrogance by the board has been going on for years.
The great American way of giving the community a say in their selection to the board will be April 9th. The citizens,faculty etc. will have the opportunity to express their opinions by voting. If the incumbents win or the challengers win will determine the real public view of John Logan College.
The main question is simply: Does the community really care about JOHN LOGAN COLLEGE? Does the community really care about their local governments? Only on April 9th will give us the answers.
Cast your vote on April 9th. Support your friends who is running but before you cast that ballot; is your vote giving you the BEST candidates for your tax paying dollar?
Can all of those other JALC employees be wrong about Kilquist the bully? He has several complaints of unfair labor practice outstanding against him. What will happen if he gets back on the Board?
ReplyDeleteIf he gets back on the board along with O'Keefe then the "Brew Crew" is smiling that they have accomplished their goal in establishing the 4 votes they need to do whatever the heck they want to do. A big turnout of voters is necessary to change things-the community and citizens will have to make the changes if they are merited-which most of us on this blog think they are!
ReplyDeletewho knows what the JALC FACULTY ASSOCIATION IS?
ReplyDeletetHE People have voiced their opinion and elected Mr. Kilquist to a 6 year term. Give him credit where credit is due..His name is very recognizable from his Sheriff Days
ReplyDeleteNow can he turn the attitude around from the faculty,administration,and citizens of being an INTIMIDATOR,and lap dog #2 for Brewer?
Not a bad guy at all if you know him personally..from what I hear..but needs to change his image and continuous threats on people which will eliminate alot of hassles in everyones life connected to JALC
QUESTION IS: CAN A ZEBRA CHANGE HIS STRIPES?
MIKE VANHORN
Well you were wrong on April 10th that Kilquist would need to change his image and threats on people! He is doing his intimidation crap already to VP McCormick by phone calls. Isn't he just a tax paying citizen right now? I feel sorry for us to have to put up with this guy for six years although I don't have six years left to have to put up with him!
ReplyDelete