Both the Illinois and International City/County Management Associations’ code of ethics state that officials (such as city managers) should “refrain from participation in the election of members of the employing legislative body.”
Try telling that to ESL City Manager, Alvin Parks, who spent last Tuesday flagrantly campaigning for councilmen Charlie Powell and Eddie Jackson, even using his city-issued vehicle to haul their campaign signs.
When questioned about the ethics of his political activism, Parks responded that “I don’t see a conflict,” referring to a conversation with city attorney Heidi Eckert, from which he concluded that his actions were “clearly not a violation of the code of ethics.”
Mayor Carl E. Officer disagreed with Parks and called a press conference asking for Parks’ resignation. Recall that it was Mayor Officer and Councilwoman Karen Cason who voted against the appointment of Parks after accusing Parks of secretly meeting with councilmen Powell, Jackson and Ed Russell and “cutting a backroom deal” to appoint Parks (without considering any of Officer or Cason’s candidates).
Such is political life in East Boogie, even with the federal government conducting an ongoing “political rectal exam” of such matters.
The question for Alvin Parks is: “Who’s your daddy?” When Parks took office, he told me (with a straight face) that all of his decisions would be based on what he referred to as “The three L’s”: “It must be legal, it must be logical and I must be able to live with myself.”
Now, barely one month later, we find Parks (hypocritically) violating his word, engaging in questionable and (by definition) unethical, behavior. thereby lending credibility to Officer and Cason’s original accusation that he is in cahoots with Powell and Jackson.
How dumb can you be, Alvin? “Supporting those who supported me,” as he describes his actions, Parks has destroyed his credibility and defined himself as a “yes man” (at best) or “political prostitute” at the very worst.
However, the decision to be “pimped” by Charlie Powell may not have been such a good political move, considering Powell’s poor showing in last Tuesday’s primary (third in a field of four). It would appear that Powell is losing his grip on the reigns of power and that the voters of ESL have finally awakened and become disgusted with Powell’s cronyism and “poli-tricks.”
If Powell fails to retain his city council seat, Parks’ days will be numbered. And, if ESL voters decide to return to the “strong mayor” form of government (which will be voted on in the April 5 general election), then Alvin will have to take a number in the unemployment line. That’s a good place to be when one insults the intelligence of the people.
Alvin Parks’ actions illustrate the flaws in this current “managerial” form of government and demonstrate what happens when a city manager becomes so consumed with catering to the will of the city council (versus doing the will of the people), since the council has the power to fire him should he not do their bidding.
Also, 10 city managers over a 14-year period doesn’t exactly demonstrate what any reasonable person would describe as being a “successful track record.” It’s time for a change of government in East Boogie.
It also shows that, as was suspected, Parks has a willingness (or need) to cow-tow, buck-dance and “Step-N-Fetch” at the behest of Charlie Powell, without regard for his own integrity, reputation or manhood.
Councilwoman Karen Cason was correct when she warned Parks (one short month ago) that “your name is all you’ve got.” Too bad he chose to ignore her advice and too bad that Parks has (incorrectly) chosen a salary over a good name.
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com