Let's see, we just had a governor booted from office and facing criminal charges for having the audacity to bring "pay to play" politics to the dizzying height of selling to the highest bidder a U.S. Senate seat. Guess they must have missed that in Antioch. Or at least village Trustee Dennis Crosby wasn't paying attention.
Crosby went on the record at the Feb. 3 Village Board meeting seeking to shake down the developers of the Antioch Marketplace for a $1.3 million donation for a village recreation center and swimming pool. The Hound says "pay to play" politics will have a hard time dying in this state if a village the size of Antioch decides to continue the policy.
Here's what Crosby said to the developers, who were seeking a sales tax surcharge for the commercial development on Route 173, according to a News-Sun story:
"You guys are getting up to $13 million out of this. This town has enormous needs. We would like you guys to commit to supporting a recreation center and swimming pool. I don't care where the money comes from, but I want you to get this done if you want my 'yes' vote. I want to see $1.3 million for this project."
Lucky for Crosby the feds don't have a wiretap at Village Hall. Replace Rod Blagojevich's voice for Crosby's and that would be one more allegation he would be facing. Maybe Crosby can justify selling his vote for a "donation" to the village because he is doing it for Antioch.
But some Illinois politicians just never learn that "pay for play" just doesn't pay.
Looks like a duck, walks like a duck, Sounds like a duck, it is a duck?
THE HOUND SEZ: Quack, quack!
Walks like a duck, Sounds like a Duck, Looks like a Duck, Must be a Duck?
THE HOUND SEZ: Double quack! What is it with you folks in Antioch? Hanging out too much in the duck blinds, or what?
This is a tactic which has become popular with politicians over the last couple of decades. Santa Monica California uses it frequently against any developer or contractor.
This way, the politician can say that the new rec center, overpass, pool, monument etc, didn't 'cost' the taxpayers anything. Whether the city actually needed the rec center, or needed to spend as much as the city wanted, that doesn't matter. If it's 'free' nobody asks.
THE HOUND SAYS: Nothing, my man Hermie, is free. When you accept "donations" from anyone, whether it be for one's political fund or one's community, strings are attached. That's the way the cookie crumbles or the pool/rec center will be built in Antioch. And, whether you maintain one is doing it on behalf of taxpayers, it's still "pay to play".
You have leveled a serious and inaccurate charge against this man, News Hound, and in the process have stepped over the line.
In your rush to get readership for your fish wrapper newspaper, or to do a political pal in Antioch a favor with a bit of yellow journalism, you have slandered an elected official who was guilty of nothing more of serving on a Board with three IDIOT Trustees and an incompetent Mayor.
He did not sell his vote. What he did NOT do was vote to give a developer a $13 million gift that you failed to mention in your rush to judgment. A gift that will ultimately cost taxpaying shoppers in that development in excess of $27 million. Failed to report that, didn't you? All Crosby tried to do was get something back for a $13 million gift, and his logic was accurate. The developer said that only 10% of the shoppers would be from Antioch, and that is what he asked for. Their money back in the form of a gift to the Village. Get that goof ball, THE VILLAGE. Not him.
If I employed you, I would have fired you over this one. You clearly either do not know the definition of "Pay for Play", or you don't care what it is as long as you can attack someone you do not agree with. In the name of course, of journalism. His action in no way fit the definition,. the intent, or the spirit of what Pay for Play is. And if you do not know that, you are a complete idiot instead of a law breaker.
If I were Crosby, I would sue your newspaper and YOU PERSONALLY. Look up libel. That is an accurate description that fits your actions.
THE HOUND SAYS: "Pay to Play in Antioch" originally appeared Feb. 7. It is now Nov. 17. Where have you been all this time, Mr. Rip van Winkle Watch? Asleep in Antioch?