Monday, October 29, 2012
News Tribune Open Forum Election Comment on Circuit Clerk Candidate
For the complete comment, visit the News Tribune October 29 2012
Candidate Bob Vickrey has misleading advertisements; one stating “It’s about the millions owed to you” … uncollected fines do not go back to the taxpayers. They’re allocated into specific funds and the largest being the general fund.
Vickrey claims his office management skills experience is what is needed for this position. His reason for resigning from the Illinois Gaming Board:
“Chicago Tribune” Jan. 7, 2000: “The amount of paperwork that I was reviewing every week was voluminous. It was overwhelming in size.” If paperwork was overwhelming, why would he even consider running for Circuit Clerk? That’s like a carpenter objecting to using a hammer and nails.
Vickrey received rebuke for his actions on the Illinois Gaming Board for dubious dealing with Jack Binon a “casino mogul… of a trait of poor business practices regulatory violations, and financial manipulations.”
Mr. Vickrey, were you not asked by Gov. Ryan to step down?
“Chicago Tribune Nov. 21, 2002: “Ryan’s old-style practice of appointing political pals in places where they just don’t belong … Vickrey had no previous connection to the university and no expertise in higher education.”
WGN Radio Aug. 7, 2009: Gov. Quinn asked for all U of I trustees to submit resignation letters. “The Tribune found that trustees meddled in the applications process nearly 100 times in three years. Some applicants, including trustee’s relatives, were admitted over the objections of admissions staff.”
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45 comments:
I am putting this on the Peru Town Forum because Mr Vickery has involved himself in Peru politics by serving on the Peru Twp Board and also serves in a volunteer capacity for the Harl administration as a Volunteer Economic Director with no salary but with expenses paid.
And don't forget the $200 donation to "Vote Vickrey Circuit Clerk" from the "Scott Harl Campaign for Mayor." This transfer was made on February 23rd 2012.
Wow! This Open Forum is painting a different picture of Vickrey. Maybe they should have a debate so we can see the wheat from the chaff.
The collection pool of unpaid fees is not a very high percentage pool of candidates, so the total figure he uses is misleading. During these hard economic times, bad debt has increased everywhere- but it is a hot button with unsophisitcated voters. Saying that in Illinois , the burden of collection costs falls on the debtor is also misleading. Adding fees on top of fees makes it less likely to eventually collect anything and increases admin cost. If the news Trib really wanted to investigate, they should dig into the history of the collection agency he is proposing. That would be an interesting story.
The business of collections can be a very shady one. To be successful , many collections agents bend the law as much as they can get away with. Since they are only paid a cut of money collected, they become very aggressive. Based on Mr V 's past, I would want him no where near a contract that handles that much potential money. His U of I experience, and his involvement in the Township mess shows me more a nose for personal gain and political connection... not an intense desire to actually work at anything. As far as business development, what is his tangible track record? What has he got going on? What did he bring in?
Having an expense account is often preferable to being paid, especially when it is not tightly audited. And being connected to all the new potential business without really having any accountability as an employee gives you the perks of inside knowledge with no one saying you are not earning your pay. Kind of the way he will get his nose into the County without actually being a hands on , 9 to 5 position. That can free him up to find another lucrative way to serve.
I think the campaign is too slick, to much ad, not enough substance. It is hard when the paper has so much impartiality with his history there. I don't know much about his challenger, but I would have expected more from him on these issues. It goes beyond negative campaigning, the voters really need to know all about this guy, not just slick ads.
With Bob Vickrey's track record, I see no reason why Andy Skoog would not blow him out of the water. This is voting and politics at its finest. I really hope the people of LaSalle county are educated and competent. I commend Mr. Piecha for this letter in the open forum. Andy Skoog for Circuit Clerk.
Stefan Bernal (Peru)
Vickrey better start packing his bags. After he gets beat from the Circuit Clerk seat, and Peru TWP seat all he'll have left is the Harl Developer seat.
Skoog for Clerk!!
Perhaps Vickrey could run for Pickleball Ambassador.
Vickrey for PicklePark Ambassador 2013
So thankful to see somebody say what everyone has been thinking about Vickrey. It sure does seem unusual for someone to be removed and/or asked to resign from so many positions. Now we hear that he is involved and receiving salary from one of the most expensive and least productive townships in the state!! Please voters, don't give him access to anymore money. By the way, does he hold down a real job? Always appointed to boards but I've never heard what he's done for a living to justify EARNING a position in government.
I question any and all candidates and political parties who are willing to spend more on a campaign than the pay of the office amounts to for more than a year or two in a four year term. Would someone tell me how a person can make a practice such as this logical?
8:40 you are answering your own question. It means that the rewards come from the power of the position, and controlling a multi million dollar collection contract would be just one way to leverage this position for personal gain.
In Roberts resume is also a tenure of being on the Illinois Gaming Board. This is another period in which the shade outdid the sun and a removal was enacted. If you are interested any and all actions taken were not because of having dirt under his fingernails from hard work.
The one undisputed fact that continues to "dog" Mr. Vickrey is this; Bob Vickrey is concerned about the welfare of only one entity, period. That entity is "Bob Vickrey".
Famous for being famous with nothing tangible to offer. Using that phony-baloney position with the city of Peru to promote himself (all expenses paid) by Peru taxpayers. Politically "squirming" his way onto the U of I Board of Trustees as well as the Illinois Gaming Board and subsequently being forced to resign from both positions as a result of mis-conduct and questionable dealings.
Tom Templeton stated in his open forum endorsement of Vickrey that "past performance is indicitive of future performance", and I can't agree more.
Therfore, if Mr. Vickrey is successful in purchasing his way into the office of Circuit Clerk we can reasonably expect him to eventually resign that office in disgrace before his tenure is up as he has been forced to do twice before in his tarnished political career.
Let's just avoid all that mess and elect Andy Skoog.
Good going Mr. Piecha! It's about time someone came out with the truth. You won't get much of the truth with the News Tribune reporting. On Mr. Vickreys website he has a story where he is trying to say Joe Carey (current circuit clerk)had endorsed him to run for the position. The Ottawa Daily Times printed Mr. Careys retraction back in August - the News Tribune has never printed the retraction.
Apparently Vickrey isn't wasteing his own money on all those fancy promos because he likes to take everyone else's dough. Something fishy with his army pictures (being in bed) and getting a medal; one that all military get. Next ad he'll say he brought the Viet Cong to their knees.
its pretty hard to bring the Viet Cong to your knees when you are in germany!
There is no need to bring up his military record or service. The other issues are what needs exposure and focus, because they are more recent and more relevant to this election. There are plenty of examples of war vets who are horrible civil office holders... Gratitude for military service is not an excuse to vote in anyone for any public office.
SKOOG FOR C CLERK. THANK YOU MR. PIECHA FOR FINALLY BRINGING OUT THE TRUTH ABOUT VICKERY. HE IS A PHONEY. NEVER HELD AN OFFICE FOR VERY LONG, ALWAYS JUMPING A LITTLE HIGHER, I GUESS IF YOU JUMP HIGH ENOUGH, YOU WILL FINALLY GET MORE MONEY. WHEN WILL HE BE SATISFIED??? THE CITY OF PERU SHOULD GET RID OF HIM AND SAVE EXPENSES. WHAT HAS HE EVER DONE FOR ANYONE BUT HIMSELF???
Whom checks on Mr. Vickerys' expenses at the end of each month.Are they legal amounts pertaining to the City of Peru?
Uh oh!!!!!.... Gary Dahl ( Republican) has announced his endorsement for Skoog ( Dem )
Guess Vickrey should've watched who's toes he stepped on. Great Endorsement for Skoog.
VICKREYS KID WENT TO THE U OF I - DO YOU THINK HE WAS GIVEN A FREE RIDE ALSO?
DUMP EVERYONE IN PERU!! MAYOR HARL DID NOT DO WHAT HE PROMISED -- WE STILL HAVE THE SAME IDIOT'S FOR ALDERMEN EXCEPT FOR MAYSZAK AND PEREZ -- PERU TWP. SHOULD BE GONE AND THE MONEY GO TO THE CITY -- HARL WAS NOTHING BUT A UNION FRONT! WAKE UP PEOPLE AND GET RID OF THIS PRETEND-TO-BE-BIGSHOT!!!!!
Between the two of them there is not much to choose from. I don't see LaSalle County getting much no matter who wins.
just curious was bob born in peru
Mr. Vickrey - Why don't you list your experiences as a trustee for the University of Illinois on the front page of the complimentary newspaper ad? Forgot about that portion of your life? Exactly how many public pensions do you receive now or in the future? Can you explain to me how you manage to work full time for the City of Peru, The Peru Township, and now LaSalle County. The math doesn't seem to add up. And what did I hear about you bragging on the radio about collecting $2ml already of bad debt for LaSalle Co? Are you already on the payroll too before the election? I am so confused. Exactly what do you do for a living??
9:04 You pose a good question. How could Mr. Vickrey be collecting money when he's not in office? Is he also on the counties insurance and pension?
Here's another question for Vickrey. Explain how you ramroded the gaming license for Emerald when you knew there were investors with criminal records. Were you following Gov. Ryan's orders? And we all know how that turned out. So Rosemount lost and Des Plaines now has the casino just a few blocks away. And then the Gov. just happened to need a trustee at U of I?
I will be so glad when this election is over. I'm so tired of seeing Vickrey's face in the News Tribune every day.
Too much scandals associated with Vickrey. Way too many. Seems to slither in and then disappears with a big paycheck and pension. But yet, nobody has told me what he does to earn those checks. Hire a consultant to do what he should be doing?? Hired to advertise for Peru and then outsource that work to MCS? Supposedly hires a scout to collect bad debts that is suppose to be the clerk job already. Let's see if I understand his duties: we get paid for a job title and then we pay someone to actually do the work as a consultant. Damn, where do I get one of those jobs. Voters, be very very careful when you go to the polls. He still hasn't answered any questions about what he really does. And I want answers about the scandals he was mixed up with. If there is nothing to hide, then TALK Bob.
Mr. Vickery, Little kids can't vote. Why were you up on Marquette and 28th st. with the trunk of your car opened, passing out candy bars out of the trunk? You are a phoney. You don't even live in that area. Quit trying to buy votes.
I find it a bit strange, yet typical, of the "Daily Disappointment Ad Rag" that they have BURIED the open forum article so deep on their website that there are NO comments. Either that or they are stifling the comments. Does anyone else look at the website and/or find it a bit strange?
I noticed last night that the open forum letter was missing.
Apparently they are "taking care" of their favorite son.
Unless a Political Action Group is formed, the majority of voters will never receive the message about this candidate. That open forum letter should have been circulated long before this by his opponent. A website should have been set up. And every single ad and sign he had should have the address.
I fear a vast majority of voters only see the signs and the ads, and his misinformation about collecting money due us plays right into the majority.. " We want our money from the deadbeats go get em Bob". A useless action, but very effective politically. As Justin suggested until this blog moves to become a formal block of informed voters and through that does mailings and door to door campaigns,it's impact will be limited. There is agreement on many issues by a majority of the blog readers. Uniting in letter writing campaigns to the CAG and real media outlets, sending out mailers, posting videos to utube, these actions make a group of 100 untied citizens become a real difference and wield real information power. You cannot just leave it up to Kristy and Lois if you want to effect transparency and change, and your vote is not enough.
Peru passed a new sign ordinance this year and there is only supposed to be 1 candidate sign per yard and no more than 6 different candidate signs per yard. Complaints can be called to the Peru City Clerk or to Frank Taylor, the cities asst. building and zoning inspector.
I think Doug Biederstedt has more than 6 signs??? How can he get away with that??
The same way he gets away without a front license plate!
What about the property on the corner of Marquette Road and Wenzel Road? It has 3 signs for Mr. Vickrey. Is this legal Mr. Taylor?
If it was Mr. Taylor would be too afraid to confront them anyway.
The ordinance states 1 sign per candidate on private pro[erty.
Quite Frankly Jethro I'm surprised to hear that the ordinance states 1 sign per candidate on private property. I would think it would read 1 sign per challenging candidate and as many as the incumbent wants.
There is an Adam Kinzinger sign that is twice the legal size on Marquette Road.
Why did we even bother with the new law if nobody is going to enforce it.
My feelings exactly Brian. I thought the same thing. We made such a big issue over this ordinance.
How much did vikery spend on ads? Last nites paper he face was on every page. I can't wait for this to be over, i'm tired of seeing his face. I hope Skoog wins, it might knock the wind out of Vickerys sail.
Now his yellow car is in the Jewel parking lot. I quit reading the newspaper because I am so sick of seeing his ads. So glad this is finally over, and I hope Skoog beats him by a landslide.
Congrats Andy!!
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