Cathy Ferguson Approved for 708 Board on 16-8 County Board Vote, Hill Reverses Course on Pulling Sandy Salgado Off Public Health Committee

Cathy Ferguson

Cathy Ferguson

McHenry County Board Chairwoman Tina Hill got her way on who will be appointed to the McHenry County 708 Mental Health Board Tuesday night.

But she backed away from dumping Sandy Salgado from the Public Health and Human Services Committee and replacing her with fellow District 4 Board member Bob Martens.

At the beginning of the meeting, Hill gave her version of what happened leading up to the public controversy on which her opponents framed the issue because none of Hill’s supporters explained on the Board floor why they rejected the Committee’s recommendation.

The vote was 16-8 for Ferguson, about the same as the 18-6 vote Hill enjoyed when her coalition defeated the nomination of former McHenry County College Board President Scott Summers two weeks ago.

Hill explained that she started to get questions about what the Committee was doing, about the 4-3 vote and the Executive Session [for discussing the qualities of the nominees].

When the Committee nomination failed 18-6, Hill said she knew that had to do something.  Those are not her exact words, but I believe them to be a fair representation of what she said.

Because she moved immediately after the vote two weeks ago to assert the power given her by State law to make the nomination herself, however, it was obvious that the move was previously planned and not a reaction to the vote.

Tina Hill

Tina Hill

There was lots of talk about conspiracy, with those who voted with Hill two weeks ago denying it and Mike Walkup wondering if a cover-up were occurring.   He said that was the public perception.

“If we’re not,we’re doing a pretty good job of [making it look like one is],” he said.

Walkup also said that he had heard that Hill had met with Interim 708 Board Executive Director Todd Schroll.

“If conversations like that can happen, that’s a really big problem…having the person [being hired helping pick the person who will pick the Executive Director].

Walkup told of other counties that have “a boss system.”

“We’re now sliding in the direction toward a boss system.”

He and others argued that financial acumen was what was needed now on the 708 Board. while supporters of Ferguson praised her knowledge of the care giving side of mental health services.

Hill said she had called Salgado and “offered her an apology.”

Diane Evertson and Mike Walkup.

Diane Evertson and Mike Walkup.

“I never thought there was a conflict-of- interest,” Hill asserted, although Northwest Herald reporter Kevin Craver reported that having Salgado employed by as agency (Pioneer Center) which got money from the 708 Board was “the epitome of conflict of interest.”

“I meant the appearance of impropriety,” Hill said Tuesday night.

“I agree with the State’s Attorney there is no conflict of interest.”

Later in the meeting Diane Evertson seemed to startle Hill when she inquired if Hill might have a conflict-of-interest.

“You mean that my son receives services [from Pioneer Center]?”

“That’s the exact question that we have with Ms. Salgado and Jim Heisler.”  [Heisler’s wife works for Pioneer Center.]

Assistant State’s Attorney Donna Kelly was asked for her opinion.

“That’s the first I’ve heard of this,” she replied from the audience.

Hill seemed incredulous, asking how one could “construe that Cathy would do my bidding.”

“You recommend a candidate who funnels money to an organization where your son receives services,” Evertson replied.

“Don’t you see a conflict?”

“No,” Hill replied.

Those supporting Hill’s nomination for Crystal Lake City Councilwoman Cathy Ferguson follow:

  • Michele Aavang
  • Sue Drafkorn
  • Joe Gottemoller
  • Jim Heisler
  • Tina Hill
  • John Jung
  • Ken Koehler
  • Bob Martens
  • Mary McCann
  • Mary McClellan
  • Anna May Miller
  • Bob Nowak
  • Nick Provenzano
  • Sandy Salgado
  • Carolyn Schofield
  • Paula Yensen

Those not supporting Ferguson’s nomination were

  • Yvonne Barnes
  • Nick Chirikos
  • Diane Evertseon
  • John Hammerand
  • Donna Kurtz
  • Ersel Schuster
  • Mike Skala
  • Mike Walkup

Moving out of the Hill coalition of two weeks ago were Yvonne Barnes, Ersel Schuster and Mike Skala.

Moving into it by supporting Ferguson was Sandra Salgado.


Comments

Cathy Ferguson Approved for 708 Board on 16-8 County Board Vote, Hill Reverses Course on Pulling Sandy Salgado Off Public Health Committee — 10 Comments

  1. She backed off of Salgado’s removal from PHHS?

    Translation, Tina Hill didn’t have the votes to do that, hence she withdrew it.

    If there were ever a case for having an at-large elected county board chairman, this is it.

    Make sure the McHenry County Board places the binding referendum on the November 2014 ballot, to ask voters if to move to a chairman elected at-large.

  2. Tina Hill makes Jack Franks look like a genius.

    No small feat.

    Congrats to those who stood up to here.

    And yes Tina, your situation clearly is a conflict of interest.

  3. Sounds like Tina was able to make a compromise and that is what leadership is all about.

  4. Compromise!!!

    Phone calls were flooding the lines to board members.

    She was backed against the wall.

    Tina is doing the bidding of the good ole boys club.

    IF Salgado has “an appearance of impropriety” what about herself an Heisler.

    Jim, once again, your pathetic defenses are a joke and laughable.

  5. If there was a conflict of interest- hasn’t it been there for 13 years?

  6. Sometimes what the law says is different than what is actually right.

    It sounds like she didn’t do anything illegal, but that doesn’t mean it’s percieved well.

    For instance, two weeks ago Woodstock had a city council meeting.

    Joe Starzynski was wondering about a conflict of interest on voting for Homestate Bank to be the prime depositor of Woodstock (can’t remember if he owns stocks, or is an employee there).

    He identified some perceived conflict of interest and he recused himself of voting.

    He even got legal advice and he was told it would be okay if he participated in that vote. S

    till, he recused himself.

    That’s called having common sense.

    That’s having awareness or maybe empathy–trying to figure out how OTHER people see you.

    That’s what we need.

    We need more leaders that can figure things out on their own.

    If you are going to be a public servant, you should aim for higher than “minimum legal standard” when it comes to questions of ethics.

    Personally, I’d like to see more people, like Starzynski, who don’t need statutes and laws to understand right vs wrong (even if that means perception–it’s still important).

  7. Has anyone noticed that the NWH comments are down to nothing??

    The policy change, I believe, was to help prevent info getting out about certain candidates running for office.

    This helps them promote their choices.

    Cal and others have posted Bill Prim’s press releases and good info about him.

    NWH does not put that info out!!

  8. I was not at the County Board meeting but listened to the entire audio on line.

    The voices of those who advocated respect of the committee process (Walkup, Evertson, Schuster, Chirkos, Hammerand) were articulate and reflected concern for the interest of the citizens they represent.

    In contrast, the remarks made by Gottemoller, McClellan, and Miller were there personal reactiobs to feeling that they “got yelled at”, “didnt get the vote they wanted the last time” and blaming the Heath and Human Services committee for not informing him better.”

    I for one will case my vote in the future for those who rise above their own interest and hold to higher standards over those who see their role as aa County Board member as a personal entitlement.

  9. And sadly, McClellan, Gottermoller, and Provenzano are all in my voting district.

    At least I have Mike Walkup also so I can hold my head up a little.

    He now represents the bar to which I will hold the next candidates I cast my vote for.

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