Des Plaines mayor's appointments approved
Four of Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz's controversial appointments to city volunteer panels were approved by the city council Monday - but not without a fight by some aldermen and one of those not being reappointed.
Aldermen approved Bogusz's appointment of William Epcke to replace Mike Lake on the consumer protection commission on a 5-2 vote, with Aldermen Jim Brookman and Dick Sayad voting "no."
The council voted 5-2 to appoint G. Thomas Green to replace Bob Porada on the zoning board of appeals, with Brookman and Mark Walsten voting "no".
Earl Wilson and Obaidur Rahman were approved on 6-1 votes to replace Dion Kendrick and Gene Fregetto on the library board, with Brookman casting "no" votes.
Last month the council unanimously reappointed 14 others to city panels, ranging from the plan commission to youth commission, but it was the four new appointments by Bogusz that spurred debate on the council.
Brookman said Monday that Lake and Porada should have been among Bogusz's reappointments for the experience that each brought to his respective board.
Both Lake and Porada have been vocal critics of Bogusz, though the mayor says it wasn't politics but concerns over productivity or professionalism that led to his decisions.
Porada is running for 7th Ward alderman against Don Smith, whom Bogusz appointed last year following the death of Alderman Joanna Sojka.
During public comment at Monday's council meeting, Porada spoke for about 15 minutes about why he previously attended a Bogusz fundraiser and why he believed Smith should abstain from an appointment vote. He also questioned why a member of the plan commission hasn't filed a statement of economic interest.
At times, Porada, who runs a Chicago law firm, directed questions to Bogusz.
"I don't understand the line of questioning or why there's a line of questioning," Bogusz said. "This is a good indicator of the productivity issue - what's happening now."
Brookman questioned Green's appointment because Green gave $450 in political contributions to Bogusz's campaign committee.
"I'm just concerned that someone who gives contributions - in this case to an officeholder who has the power of appointment - I think that's problematic," Brookman said.
Bogusz said his "only test for a volunteer in Des Plaines is that they want to give back to the city and that they're qualified to hold a position."
He said he was grateful for the "political help" of two people he's not reappointing: Kendrick, who hosted a political event for Bogusz at his home, and Porada, who attended a fundraiser. But Bogusz said they're not the right choices for their respective boards.
Porada said he attended the $50 per person fundraiser to talk to Bogusz about a city issue since he was unable to reach him otherwise.