On August 5, 2010, 10:16 AM, I received an email from Peoria County Administration confiding that Museum Committee Chairman Stephen Morris was holding a 12:00 PM news conference. Naturally, only the County board insiders were aware of this news conference. Most of us on the outside couldn't have mace it anyway. I didn't check my emails till 12:30 PM.
I understand only questions from the news media were answered. It is apparent that the news media were advised of the meeting before certain board members were advised.
Administrator Urich took responsibility as usual.
Is the County transparent? No, and getting worse.
Recently, a more than qualified and immediately available citizen found out the interest of Peoria County for a disaster coordinator for Elmwood. He put in a call to Peoria County Administrator Urich that WAS NEVER RETURNED. As a Peoria County board member, I and others on the board, did not know of the hiring of a John Hamann for this unadvertised position, former Woodford County zoning administrator until the news appeared in the JS on 8/18/10.
His salary is to be $1000 a week for 26 weeks. Whether a county vehicle or expenses are added, I have not yet learned. If another disaster occurs in Peoria County, I believe our administrator has the authority to place Mr. Hamann in a permanent position.
Hamann worked for the Pekin Fire Department for 22 years, 8 years as chief as well as being a Senior fire instructor at ICC and supervised the Tazewell County Hazardous Materials Response team. Why he left those positions is unknown.
Who made the reference for the position? I'm told it was Terry Kohlbuss, EDC Administrator under Heartland Partnership.
The JS reported that after various clashes with the Woodford County Board, Hamann resigned in May.
Transparency?
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