On Tuesday, April 5, the voters of East St. Louis have the opportunity to take control of their destiny. They have the chance to steer ESL out of the muck and mire of scandal and into a more positive future; but it won’t be easy.
On one ballot, voters have the opportunity to discard the city manager form of government and return to the mayoral form of government. They also have the opportunity to replace both city councilmen Charlie Powell and Eddie Jackson, as well as elect a township supervisor.
I would be politically remiss and irresponsible if I pretended that all candidates and positions are relative. That would be a lie. The future of ESL is too critical to play rhetorical games with the voters. I’ll let the politicians do that.
For instance, Charlie Powell and Eddie Jackson’s campaign slogan n “Let’s continue progress and NOT GO BACK TO THE PAST!” n is not only amusing (and hypocritical), but also assumes that ESL voters have amnesia and are too stupid to pay attention to the slew of subpoenas and indictments resulting from the current federal investigation into voter fraud in ESL.
What progress are Charlie and Eddie referring to? Charlie Powell is the boss of the ESL democratic machine. Charlie and Eddie Jackson were responsible for placing Kelvin Ellis in the position of Regulatory Affairs chief and appointing Ron Mathews as police chief. Both were indicted by the federal government. They also voted to appoint Bob Storman as ESL city manager. Storman left office in disgrace, following a much publicized sex scandal.
It was Charlie Powell and Eddie Jackson who selected the current city manager, Alvin Parks, who (already) has violated both international and state codes of ethics by boldly campaigning (for them) using his city vehicle.
Under Charlie Powell’s political leadership, precinct committeemen, city council members and ESL police officers have been subpoenaed and herded before the federal courts, as rumors swirl regarding Powell and Jackson’s role in voter fraud in ESL. And these guys want to be re-elected? Puh-leeeease!
The citizens sent a strong message to Powell, who finished third in the recent primary election. The message is that ESL is sick and tired of business and “poli-tricks” as usual.
Opponents Lester “Boom” Anderson and Delbert Marion are positive alternatives to Powell and Jackson. Some question their experience. True, they don’t have experience appointing felons as city department heads or “pimping” city managers, without regard to ethics or protocol. They also haven’t been subpoenaed (with the potential to be indicted) by the federal grand jury (like Powell and Jackson). Maybe having distinguished careers as police officers is enough. City councilmen aren’t rocket scientists. The job can be learned.
As for changing the form of government, this one is a no-brainer. ESL has had the misfortune of running through 10 city managers in 14 years. Clearly, the city manager form of government is not working. The city manager serves at the whim and pleasure of the city council. Therefore, city managers have ZERO accountability to the citizens of ESL.
In the mayoral form of government, the buck stops with the mayor, who is elected by the people and represents the voters. If the voters want to TRULY empower themselves, they must empower their mayor. They can do this by voting for the mayoral form of government on April 5.
Rudy “Showtime” McIntosh wants to replace current Township Supervisor Robert Eastern. This would be a monumental mistake on the part of ESL voters. Eastern has done a respectable job as township supervisor, particularly with respect to providing a multitude of services for the senior citizens and poor in ESL.
If McIntosh were a super villain, he’d be The Riddler, because his background is full of question marks. At press time, he’s still under investigation for two murder cases. His residency has been questioned, as well as whether he even has a GED (a minimal requirement for all ESL police officers). Too many questions. Too few answers. Too much potential for scandal; and I think that with all of the recent arrests and controversy among ESL police, Rudy should think of the citizens of ESL and spare them (and his fellow officers) any further embarrassment.
Haven’t you had enough, ESL? Haven’t you had enough of Charlie Powell and the gang’s political arrogance? Haven’t you become tired of the evening news showcasing the political corruption and scandal of the current political regime of Powell and Jackson?
Well, you have a choice on April 5. YOU can change the form of government to one that is accountable to YOU. YOU can kick Charlie Powell and Eddie Jackson to the curb and have a fresh start. YOU can free Alvin Parks from political bondage. YOU can help Rudy McIntosh recognize that if HE can’t prove his OWN credibility, then he shouldn’t seek public office.
East Boogie, if you sit at home during this election, then you shall reap what you sow and will forfeit the right to complain. However, if you do vote for change, you will demonstrate to the region (and to the world) that ESL is ready to rise, like a phoenix, from the ashes of scandal and ascend to a place of prominence and respect. VOTE APRIL 5.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.