Things must be pretty easy in the Waukegan treasurer's office if their newly elected boss can take time off and serve on the Lake County Board. If he is elected in November 2010, that is.
The Hound wonders if City Treasurer John Schwab, a retired podiatrist, might help city officials get out from under Waukegan's continuing budget crisis. He says his budget expertise will be a plus for the County Board.
At this point it is uncertain if Collin O'Rourke, appointed by Lake County Board Chair Suzi Schmidt to replace Waukegan Mayor Robert Sabonjian on the county's august governing body, will seek election to the unexpired term of Mayor Bob. The guy's only been in office less than a month, after all.
But then along comes Schwab, with one victory under his belt, and it was in April, who wants that $40,000 or so County Board salary, on top of his treasurer's pay.
Is The Hound the only one who thinks the good doctor seems to be more worried about his political future than the city of Waukegan's coffers? And, if the treasurer's job is part-time, why does Waukegan need one? Waukegan is a home-rule community. Get rid of this job at the next possible turn.
After all, the city already has a finance director. She used to work for Gurnee but won't as of Aug. 7. Or so The Hound has read. But then, there also is another guy who currently is finance director.
Waukegan is lucky. It appears they have two talented fiscal whizzes, and a treasurer who believes his knowledge of the city budget will be invaluable in representing District 8 voters on the County Board.
With so much skill then, riddle The Hound this: How come the city is wallowing in its current fiscal mess?
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