Although some might view the results as only a partial victory for those advocating change on the JALC board, there is definitely more positive than negative with the election of Cheryl Graff and Bill Kilquist.
First, Graff won by a substantial margin – 1,200 votes. Whether is was ballot position, the only female candidate, or a strong grass roots campaign coupled with Jackson County Democrat support, she proved her electability. This is particularly important when many Jackson County Democrats including Kilquist and Brewer were actively working against Graff in this election.
Granted, Kilquist still has name recognition and Democratic support in the College district. There are also, unfortunately, still those who either ignored his obvious ethical lapses as a board member and later as an employee of the college, or simply weren't aware of them. But now he will be back in the public eye, he's not the sheriff anymore, and he will be exposed and held accountable for a change!
Second, John O'Keefe was soundly defeated. Voters were fed up enough to not buy the Williamson County descriptions of "he's such a good guy" and instead saw him as a blatant example of nepotism at work at the college. O'Keefe perhaps wasn't as blunt and intimidating as a Brewer, Rendleman, or Kilquist, but equally influential and ultimately destructive to the College.
Third, the willingness of Mike Vanhorn and Herb Russell to open themselves to public scrutiny to highlight the problems of the JALC board emboldens others and made this election about real choices. There will be attempts at retaliation and intimidation by Brewer and crew, but Graff, Hancock, Hopkins, and Sanders MUST call it what it is and respond forcefully and with transparency.
Fourth, the calling out of Brewer, Rendleman and Kilquist reported on this blog is only the beginning. In the next election, there will be no need to go back and recount the past egregious actions – they will continue to be documented here and in other public arenas. It will be interesting (and probably even amusing at times) to see the scrambling that will be taking place by these three.
Rendleman committed a grave error in judgment with his ad and Kilquist is already too full of swagger to not mess up. Wednesday's Southern quotes him as saying it's been a long campaign and he looks forward to taking a little time to take it all in. He has no idea how long the next six years are going to be as his actions on the board will be scrutinized.
Kilquist will tire of the role and move on to another election or questionable hire. He's never stayed long anywhere except where he's had the thrill of the election as sheriff. That's his type. As he says on his Facebook, he's been fired from every job he's had. He loves the egotistical side of public service.
ReplyDeleteWill all of the mayoral, school board, township, city council, etc. candidates who ran in this last election please, please, please pick up your trash that was once your yard signs! This also applies to the cardboard, wires and posts that you attached your signs to. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou just kill me....you toast Herb Russell who never mentioned Ray or Barry Hancock in his letter to the southern.....where all this started....never mentioned the raise Snider's son recieved after he got on the board....I love selective justice....never talk about the political hires of some very vocal faculty ....I would love to live in that world where Noble Fac voices are sacred and others are evil "machine" actions.....keep drinking the Kool aid though...makes for great reading......wish I could buy you all for what you are worth and sell you for what you think you are worth.....better start your quest with a good look in the mirror.......
ReplyDeleteFYI -- the Hancocks and the Snider raise were mentioned here or in other public forums. I would call this collective justice -- no one person could tackle all the issues alone but together we made a difference!
DeleteThis post on the blog is to bring up a point that will be recorded early since retaliation will be apparent pretty soon towards me.
ReplyDeleteI have raised money for John Logan Athletics and Foundation since 1987. Thousands of dollars have been given or raised for them in this time. Under the Athletic Directorship of John Sala who was also the Foundation Director at that time; my father, Al Vanhorn of Marion Illinois and myself(residing in Kankakee Illinois) personally underwrote the Bowling Tourneys and Fish Fry's during his tenure at a clip of $2,500.00 each.
I personally during my illness of lung cancer donated to the school Athletic Dept. a total of $12,989.00 to help build the brick backstop,new net and pa system at the baseball field.
Since moving back here and purchasing a home in Carterville I have raised money for the athletic department with my Camps for Kids program as well as for SALUKI BASEBALL and Kankakee Comm College baseball program. Last year I raised $1,250.00 for the annual fish fry by getting 5 sponsors at $250 each...those sponsors were: Vogler Ford,Dennis Rathjen,Mike VAnhorn, Al Vanhorn
and ironically Trustee Jake Rendleman who had already contributed $250 prior to my request.
Due to losing our good friend Harold Oneil who originated the fish fry and coordinated it for years; I decided during the election process of becoming more active in the Fish Fry fundraiser for athletics..Within 3 hours I have already raised a total of over $2,000.00. My goal was to reach $5,000.00 by the time the fish fry gets here on May 23rd.
All of this was approved by the athletic director who has given a letter to show individuals I approach that I am a VOLUNTEER and authentic to help raise money for the athletic dept and baseball.
All money and ticket sales go through the Athletic Dept and all checks and cash are deposited into Foundation.
Why I am writing this on this blog....SETTING THE SCENARIO OF THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME...hopefully this doesn't occur but it has started in the background..ATTEMPT TO GET BACK AT MIKE VANHORN and Athletics.. STAY TUNED..WILL LET YOU KNOW THE RESULTS THAT COME DOWN ON THIS by the Logan attorney. I sent a request for a donation to him for the fish fry...HMMMMMMMMMMM..WONDER WHY ALL THE PHONE CALLS AND MEETINGS..crap..got to go..I missed my Pinch Penney meeting with the Brew Crew..It's Friday
Mike Vanhorn
Concerned Citizen
Alumnus of John Logan College
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ReplyDeletewonder who will be the new chairperson for the newly elected board on April 29th? Anyone care to guess? Who will be the Vice President?
ReplyDeleteYou've been so darn smart in this election, why don't YOU tell us! After all, you have gotten everything else right so far.
ReplyDeleteThis lil blog really bugs you, doesn't it? Ask yourself why... :)
DeleteDoes anyone care to guess who Anonymous is on the April 17,2013 10:42 am blog?
ReplyDeleteThe answer to 6:08 question: Jake Rendleman
ReplyDeleteMr. Kilquist is not even a board member yet and he is already calling the vice president and making demands of him in a demanding intimidating way.
ReplyDeleteGuess that gives every individual the right to call and demand something they want done personally since Mr. Kilquist is only a citizen and tax payer as of this date.
I definitely feel sorry for the new president and the entire staff at the college. I thought there was only 1 president at the college but it is apparent others feel the need to try and run the college. Some things never change. Shame on you voters and mostly non voters!
Your statement of shame on voters and non voters is too true! The method of the board for quite sometime has been to hire puppets and give them high salaries. The vice president in question accepted a position and substantial raise from the institution down the road to carry out board wishes. He is intimidated by Mr. Kilquist and would hate to lose that salary. Fully expect him to comply with any requests from the bullies whether right or wrong. The college watched a previous president execute the puppet role for several years. In this case the bullies have found the right direct line to call. Prey on the weak. Mr. Brewer has that direct line as well and has used it. Probably makes for an unenjoyable ride back to Harrisburg daily. The bullies method of choice continues to be effective!
DeleteWow..both vice presidents are from Harrisburg. Nice salaries and they don't even have to pay the taxes in the Logan District. Guess they are pretty happy the board did not make them move to the county when they accepted the position. Next thing we will hear is that they are dismissing one VP or maybe even both for not living here which i am sure is not legal at all. I understand that the VPs asked if they needed to move to this area and they were told no by board
ReplyDeleteWrong! Brad McCormick was told he had to live in JALC district to work the college. He had said multiple times he cannot sale his house (which is a lie). So...open your eyes, is not always the board who is in the wrong, Administration is the real problem!
ReplyDeleteWonder whose son wants to be a VP? Sounds like some board members are getting a bit desperate by trying to shift the blame to the administration. Brewer, Rendleman and Kilquist need to stop the micromanaging. The rats are scrambling just as predicted!
DeleteToo bad we don't have an impeachment clause for the faculty,staff,administration so we could get rid of the board members who are elected by name recognition and not on the merits of what they have done for the citizens in our district.
ReplyDeleteA solution to some of the problems with board members should be a public demand that equal representation for each county in the district.
1 for Perry,1 for Franklin,1 for Randolph,2 for Jackson,and 2 from Williamson Counties.This may stop the Jackson County Democratic process from selecting their ideal candidates for the board at Logan.
I would imagine the state would have to make these changes but it seems unfair that all counties within the district do not have equal representation. The new board I think will have 3 from Jackson County,3 from Williamson and i think that Hopkins is from Franklin County. Perry and Randolph wiped out!
Policy #5610 which was discussed in January and passed by the board in February gives the board of trustees the power of acceptance or non acceptance of all volunteers at the college. All departments including the athletic department had to submit a list of all volunteers for the board to act on. This action should be discussed at the April 29th board meeting.There are several people who volunteer their time without any compensation at all for the school in alot of departments. Wonder what dept. will come under fire the most due to this new policy? Can anyone get that policy on this blog so we can all read it and understand it prior to board action. It is an old policy which really was not enforced but when volunteers had to sign papers prior to this next board meeting it looks like the board will act on individuals on the 29th. Isn't that when new board members take office? Quite interesting to the entire staff and faculty.
ReplyDelete