Part 3 – Who’s the Best Politician in McHenry County?

Still more of the debate on giving County Administrator Peter Austin five-year contract:

Mary McCann explained that she liked by Thorsen had said, but still wanted to vote on the resolution.

Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen

Chris Christensen, appointed only weeks ago, said that he was “completely incapable of judging whether he’s done a good job or not.”

Evertsen pointed out that the contract has been in effect since June 7, 2005.

“I’m not aware of the County Board even having reviewed the contract.”

To be changed, the County Board would have had to have acted during May.

“Are they smart enough by May?

“Apparently they have been for twelve years.”

The motion to delay voting on the motion failed on a voice vote.

Yvonne Barnes

Yvonne Barnes

Moving on to the mail motion,Yvonne Barnes unloaded her disdain with the following:

“This is not an evaluation.

“This is an employment contract.

“I respectfully disagree with the people who don’t consider this a political agenda item.

“I think it smacks of it and it’s the worst case I’ve ever seen.

“It went through committee [which] was selectively chosen because of its make-up.

“It didn’t go through Human Resources [Committee].

“I think this smacks of dirty politics.

Larry Smith took the floor to point out the document was an “at will contract,” meaning Austin could be fired any time.

“I think the five-years is really an irrelevant argument.

Carolyn Schofield

Carolyn Schofield

Carolyn Schofield took offense at Barnes’ comments.

“The way this was done is extremely common.

“I think the compensation in here is on the low side.

“I’m just disgusted with the way this is headed.

“It makes me sad this Board has become so dysfunctional and so jaded and believe in such conspiracies that occur.

“We try to run a professional organization here and this is anything but when we come to these meetings…

“This is really disgusting.”

Schofield contended that Austin is what “bind[s] this organization” together.

“To sit here and say that there’s a conspiracy that is going on here and there’s politics being played here, he is what binds us

“And if we don’t have a strong administrator to continue and to remove politics from the day-to-day operation and to have a continuous flow that we are going to need in the next month this will be even more dysfunctional than we are today.”

Joe Gottemoller

Joe Gottemoller

McHenry County Board Joe Gottemoller added his opinion at this point.

“I would not want to be chairman of this organization without a strong administrator.”

Chuck Wheeler

Chuck Wheeler

Chuck Wheeler took offense at what Schofield said.

“This is a vote on this contract.

“We are not voting on Mr. Austin.

“We are not voting on his performance.

“If you want to get political Ms. Schofield, that’s what’s happening here.”

With the mention of Schofield’s name, Gottemoller admonished Wheeler to address the whole Board, not an individual member.

The contract was approved 13-8.


Comments

Part 3 – Who’s the Best Politician in McHenry County? — 11 Comments

  1. Is it true their is a significant social connection amongst the Austins and the Schofields?

    If so, should that be a consideration for her recusing herself from voting on his contract?

  2. Christensen has shown to date he is just plain incapable.

    It was not a job appraisal, it was a friggin employment contract which screws the taxpayers!!

  3. “I haven’t even seen it, but I’ll vote in favor of it.”

    We rid ourselves of Schofield and gain Christensen.. seems to be a net-neutral so far…

    But, the bigger question, still, is Walkup voting YES…

    Please explain your rationale, Mike.

  4. **Chris Christensen, appointed only weeks ago, said that he was “completely incapable of judging whether he’s done a good job or not.”**

    Yup.

    That is exactly what we want from County Board members.

    Total incapacity to do their jobs.

  5. Give Chris C a chance he JUST stepped into
    His spot.

    A one sentence comment should not be a reason
    To judge him so harshly.

    Chris can and will do a good job.

  6. Shows extremely poor judgment, in my opinion.

    Here never seen the contract, knows so little as to admit here incapable of rendering a decision..

    And then votes YES to obligate taxpayers to 5 years of… Well, he doesn’t know.

    Why did he not at least abstain?

  7. There was a question or a statement asked earlier in the meeting about evaluation by my friend and board Colleague Jeff Thorson.

    I stand behind response that as a three week Board member I cannot properly evaluate Pete or for that matter any other McHenry County Employee. So what do I do.

    I look for the latest review completed by the management services committee.

    In Pete’s case it was a great review.

    As far as the contract.

    It’s a five year contract but Pete is an “at will” employee and the contract can be terminated with a 30 day notice.

    In regards to the salary structure.

    The compensation I very much appreciate is costly.

    But when viewed and compared with others in his same field located in McHenry County and the rest of the State the contract can be viewed as average.

    Have question happy to talk about it. 847-815-8821.

  8. If the terms of the contract are so inconsequential, then one must ask, what is the purpose of the contract?

    If the board members haven’t read a document, they should not vote to approve nor disapprove the document.

    Every YES vote equates to nothing less than a rubber stamp!

    A perfect example of bad government and the very reason we are now subject to things like The Patriot Act and Obamacare!

  9. Schofield’s ARE personal friends of Peter Austin and his wife.

    They hobnob together.

    A county board member ‘should’ know better than to developer a personal relationship with someone whose compensation &preview he/she would have influence over!

    Schofield obviosly isn’t there to be a professional or do her job without prejudice!

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