BY DAVE PARRO
Newspapers like to write about campaign contributions and how they possibly influence who gets awarded public tax dollars because it's good watchdog journalism.
But the impact of stories like Dan Campana's special report on Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner's fundraising machine is usually minimal. Just look at how many Tribune and Sun-Times investigative stories Mayor Daley has survived in Chicago.
Voters in general seem to simply shrug their shoulders, as long as they see progress in other areas. So what's the value in reporting these stories?
The guess here is that this will roll right off Weisner's back. The folks who really pay close attention to local politics might react, and his opponents will now have more ammunition. But most voters won't care.
Heck, if Gov. Rod Blagojevich was able to win a second term despite the corruption scandals plaguing his administration, it would seem that nothing short of indictment will get voters' attention.
That's unfortunate, because it allows pay-to-play politics and cronyism to flourish. Without public outrage, newspapers are essentially screaming into the wind when they report on links between campaign contributions and government contracts.
Hopefully, such reporting still has value in letting our elected officials know that at least someone is watching what they're doing, even if it's just a few of us.
Having the story appear on a Sunday during a holliday weekend didn't really help bring much attention to the issue.
In general most folks will remain unaware until someone uses the info in a mailer and it will just be considered the same as always.
The Beacon did an okay job. The front headline was great. However, where was Gerry Galloway? Tom Weisner's campaign manager with his Chief of Staff job? That was a total political payback. There are tons more jobs that didn't get reported because those people gave under the $150 but walked the neighborhoods for him. Yes, Chuck donated a small amount, but he sent out letters, walked and did a bunch of stuff for the campaign. He told everyone that Weisner was going to give him a job. Alayne Weingartz gave a huge picnic/bbq for Weisner and got the Corporation Council job with only 5 real years of experience. This administration is following in Blago's footsteps and Dave, you are right, if people do not care then they deserve the leaders they elect.
This was a good first step for the Beacon and I'm really not sure what took so long for these important facts to be presented. The Beacon now has to take the next step and make sure these facts are discussed ALL the time and there is action on Lawrence's campaign finance ordinance to fix this mess.
I was reading the discussion at OpenlineBlog.com and talking to my neighbors about this. Everyone seems to agree there is a serious problem with corruption in Aurora. The question is what are we all going to do about it. I got my tax bill the other day and there's far too much of it that goes to pay for corruption and waste.
Most of Tom Weisner's campaign contributors don't live in Aurora. I thought that was interesting.
The other interesting question is why the Painter's Union such a financial force in Aurora politics?
I don't understand what type of reaction you would expect from that article. Campana justifies just about every donation that is mentioned. And the donations that are not justified were rebutted with a comment from the mayor's opponent (lol). Rumors of "corruption scandals" are not actual scandals. People know this. Weisner (or Blagojevich, Daley, etc) have not been formally charged with any wrong doing, so don't expect public outrage just because the author has a biased view.
I think you answered your own question ("So what's the value in reporting these stories?").
This is a prime example of why everyone in Aurora refers to the paper as the BeaConfused. Well that, and the bad delivery service. :(
I'd like to comment on the article as it applies to Bob Vaughan and Hipp Temporary. It's pretty clear that Vaughan wanted Weisner to be mayor. There is nothing wrong with that. The Mayor wanted Vaughan to be his chief of staff. Chief of staff is one position over which the Mayor should have absolute control. Bob Vaughan was without question qualified for the position given his extensive experience as head of the Fox Valley Park District. His salary was certainly reasonable considering the size and scope of his position.
So the Mayor wanted Vaughan as his chief of staff, but Vaughan would be hurt on his pension if he took the position as an Aurora employee. To alleviate that concern, the City used a third party (Hipp Temporary) to act as employer so as not to affect Vaughan's pension. Some readers of the article may have thought that the money that went to Vaughan was different than the money that went to Hipp Temporary. But the City did not pay Vaughan's salary. Hipp Temporary paid Vaughan's salary, as well as the employer's share of FICA taxes and other withholdings, as well as his reasonable expenses. The City did not pay for Vaughan's health insurance, pension, severance, or other benefits while he was a Hipp Temporary employee (payments that would have cost the city had it not gone through a third party). This issue was fully discussed by the city counsel. It is doubtful that the city could have received the services of a public servant of Vaughan's quality and experience at the same or lesser cost than it did through the arrangement it made.
I write this only because the article may have suggested to careless readers that a $200 donation by my father in 2003 resulted in a $170,000+ windfall. That is obviously false.
Mayor Stover and Mayor Weisner are the best thing that happened to this town in a long time....folks, get on board for four more years with a man who is trying to make Aurora a greater city to live in...
The issue is that no matter what ordinance is passed, I doubt it will be followed. How can it be proven if someone gives cash or not? Weisner had fundraisers held for him by the Planned Parenthood people in Chicago. Attendees gave under the $150 limit and thus were not reported in the D2's. There will always be loopholes no matter how well intended the ordinance is. Planned Parenthood is here because Weisner took their money -- that is the truth. And Planned Parenthood will never leave.
If you were trying to ignite public outrage towards the mayor, Maggie Q's comments would have been better. But when you insinuate that the Dolans and the Wegmans are part of the corruption, no one is going to listen because their clout is well established. Established by hard work, integrity and being personal friends with most of the town. Mayors will come and go, but Dolan & Murphy will always be there, and Danny Dolan is a WONDERFUL person with a WONDERFUL family, ditto for the Wegmans. Adding the union contributions at the end will get some outrage, of course, but they give to the Dem candidate no matter what, and there is nothing expected in return other than for that Dem to win. No one bothered to ask Dick Hawks about his contributions. He and his wife are also beloved members of and contributors to the community – by giving their time and themselves. It wasn’t fair to put his name out there as number one in giving, but then not give him a chance to explain. The best part was – do you really think you can buy a city job or contract for a couple hundred bucks?
All people think now is you are trying to sway the election for Rick Lawrence. I’m not saying that it’s true, nor do I have a problem with Lawrence being mayor; I am just telling you that that is what people think. A newspaper can endorse a candidate, but should not be a part of why that candidate gets elected. That’s the real corruption in today’s electoral process.
Mr. Hipp:
“.. but Vaughan would be hurt on his pension if he took the position as an Aurora employee” I am sure there are many people in this boat; however, that does not excuse someone from deviating from what is standard and customary. Taken to the extreme, we should contract all of the city employees to other temp firms. That way everyone can have their “cake (city benefits) and eat it too.” Sorry, but that’s not a good reason to pull and “end-run” around the system.
“But the City did not pay Vaughan's salary” So, are you suggesting that the City received his services for free? Of course not! The city (and the tax payers) paid Hipp Temporary, and they, in-turn, paid Mr. Vaughan. So, yes, the City did pay for Vaughan's salary! And then some!
“The City did not pay for Vaughan's health insurance, pension, severance, or other benefits while he was a Hipp Temporary employee (payments that would have cost the city had it not gone through a third party).” And who exactly paid for these? Either the City paid them in the form of a higher consulting rate or Mr. Vaughan went without this. Now, are you suggesting the latter?
“I write this only because the article may have suggested to careless readers that a $200 donation by my father in 2003 resulted in a $170,000+ windfall. That is obviously false.” What is true is that your father received the benefits of a position which the taxpayers of Aurora paid $170,000 for. Whether that money was paid directly from the city’s coffers to your father, or through an intermediary (Hipp Temporary), is totally irrelevant! Your father received the benefits of $170,000/yr, justified or not.
The only debatable point here is whether or not the $170,000 in benefits your father received had anything to do with his donation to the Weisner campaign, in dollars or effort. Sadly, there seems to be a pattern with Mayors and Governors these days.
Analytical Reader:
My point on the 170,000+ is that that was not in addition to the 140,000 that went to Vaughan. The article seemed to indicate double payment of 140,000 to Vaughan and 170,000 to Hipp Temporary. That is not what happened.
Okay, so this is how I read things: Bob Vaughan took early retirement, which means he was taking home something like 65% of his salary plus extra money because it was early. Because he didn't want to loose this 65% of his current salary; he then worked with HIPP to circumvent the system and add to that the $140,000 that the City paid him. In essence, HIPP helped Vaughn to double-dip on the taxpayers dime. HIPP in the meantime netted $30,000 from the deal. (Not too shabby if you ask me).
While I think Bob Vaughn had experience, the Park District has a budget significantly less than the City of Aurora and the CIty has significantly different situations than a park district; thus I do not believe that while Vaughn had qualifications, I do not think they were totally applicable to work as the highest person in the city.
In searching the web; I found this. It seems likely to get a qualified person for $140,000:
Janesville, Wisconsin (population 62,000). Growing, historic, full-service community located in south central Wisconsin along the Rock River, seeks experienced municipal executive to lead its organization consisting of 500 full time employees and a $84.3 million budget. The City is seeking candidates with a record of significant accomplishment in a full-service, growing community. Successful candidates will be experienced in economic development, long and short range fiscal policy, and planning. Candidates must be comfortable working collaboratively with elected officials, staff, active/involved citizens, and other units of government. Bachelor’s degree in public administration, urban management, public policy, business administration or related field required plus seven to ten years increasingly responsible public management experience as chief executive in similar community or Assistant/Department Head in larger community or combination of relevant experience and training. Master’s Degree in Public Administration is highly desired. Strong general management, financial management, and administrative leadership background; outstanding organizational skills, proven interpersonal communication skills, and well developed writing skills required. Appointed by the City Council. Residency required. Starting salary $140,000+/- DOQ. Excellent benefit package. Submit resume with salary history and five references by May 30, 2008 to Heidi Voorhees, President, The PAR Group, 100 N. Waukegan Road, Suite 211, Lake Bluff, IL 60044.
I'm lovin' Maggie Q's blogs!!!! GO GIRL!
Maggie Q,
As I read the ad for Janesville, the $140,000+ depending on qualifications plus excellent benefit package offered by Janesville tends to back up the point that Vaughan's salary was well within range, especially since Janesville is 1/3 the size of Aurora and Vaughan didn't get any benefits from the City. Also, if you read the Beacon article, Vaughan got a total of $140,000 for his entire time, not per year. I think he was Chief of staff for a year and a half (maybe 16 months).
This is what these companies do not understand. By playing these games with Weisner. By giving him large amounts of money that he doesn't deserve pulls the companies into the cloud of corruption. It doesn't matter if Dolan & Murphy or Wegman or Hipp are Saints. They are playing with an administration that is looking (or is) corrupt and it will tarnish their reputations. They will no longer be looked at as the company who is the right one for the job; they will forever now be looked at as the company who gave a huge check and now gets a job. Don't they realize that they are playing Springfield politics, and Blago is showing Weisner how to do it. It is no accident that Dick Hawks called all the city contractors and told them to buy a table or else they might not get another city contract. This will tarnish all of your reputations; and no matter how loud or how long HIPP talks about his "innocence" his actions of giving money, participating in a scheme to double-dip retirement money, will forever be in the back of everyone's mind. Wegman will forever be the company that gave big dollars and got part of the police station (Leopardo can't build a parking deck??? Come on!!) Mundy landscaping and all the money he's given Weisner will no doubt "win" the landscaping deal and millions of dollars for this Park that is being proposed. The reputations of your companies is now pretty much mud; and you all can thank Weisner for it and his zest for power. We know how much these companies DIDN'T give to Stover, it appears he couldn't be bought. It seems to go the other way with Weisner.
Daniel,
I see your point; however, the fact is Bob V. was hand picked by Mayor Weisner. There was no job posting; there was no search; thus you cannot make the argument that we got a deal for the money. Bob Vaughn was double dipping on his pension; even in the Beacon News Alderman Leroy Keith admitted that there was a "loophole" that was being used.
People shop at KMart all the time and tell themselves they got a deal for their money, only better quality items exist that would cost a bit more upfront but in the long run would have been well worth the money.
I agree with Political Junkie; Bob V. will be tarnished as being a person who contributed and worked on a political campaign and resulted in a job. There is no way to prove he was the best person for the job.
I find it ironic that Vaughan was hand picked, with no job posting, just in this position long enough for the Drive-In to be gone. I am sure that he is qualified for something, just not this job. Anyone who deals with the devil is his advocate, this is what went on here, going on now and will be in the future with weisner. I am sure that the "legalities" of these loopholes were looked into as Hipp is a business man. This does not make it ethical, right, or moral. I will also put Alderman Keith in as one of the advocates, and anyone else who went along with this. Shodeen has to be at the top of the list. This city is going broke, if not bankrupt already, we cannot afford double dipping, giving away land, mayor having a rented car and some employees, segways, etc. Where is all the money going to come from? BTW-Does anyone know what Vaughan is doing now or where he is? The rewards they are getting from the devil looks good to them, but in the end, what good is that if their soul is taken?