Columnist James-Ingram
In most elections, voters go to the polls, the votes are tallied, a winner is announced and the loser concedes. The operative word here, though, is “most.”
However, in East Boogie, where votes are bought for as little as five dollars or a barbequed “pig snoot” sandwich, one can never be quite sure whether the people have truly spoken. Ask our buddy, felon Charlie Powell. Vote fraud is as American as apple pie in ESL.
Some say that was the case on the evening of April 17, 2007, when Mayor Carl E. Officer (unofficially) lost the East St. Louis mayoral contest by a mere 33 votes. In ESL, that’s less than one vote per precinct.
OK, Carl (you say), just concede and ride off into the sunset in one of your Officer Funeral Home limousines and enjoy the benefits of being born into the wealthiest (and most prominent) family in East St. Louis history.
But, wait. Stop the presses. Mayor Officer is NOT conceding, according to his spokeswoman (and former mayor) Debra Powell-Childress.
Apparently, rather than burying the dead (as usual), the Officer camp has received numerous reports that certain residents of the cemetery may have been resurrected just in time to vote on April 17.
In addition, according to Powell-Childress, reports are rampant that others may have voted, utilizing the addresses of vacant houses and engaged in myriad other irregularities.
East St. Louis Board of Elections Executive Director James Lewis verified that the results of April 17 were, indeed, unofficial and that a final tally and certification of the election won’t be complete until Friday, May 4.
In that final tally, absentee ballots as well as provisional ballots (votes not counted due to conflicting voter information) will be included, which could alter the final election results significantly.
Bottom line: this election is far from over, folks. Based upon solid evidence from the Officer camp, we are talking a recount, possibly a lawsuit, initially in St. Clair County’s “kangaroo” court system, which carries water for the St. Clair County Democratic machine.
However, with the deep pockets of Officer and company, this election could be the equivalent of President Bush’s first “election” (wink-wink), hanging chads and all.
Meanwhile, Alvin Parks (and mother Lillian), are preparing for his mayoral coronation, in the event that the outcome works in their favor (can’t wait for my embossed, monogrammed invitation).
The last thing that Parks wants to become is the political Sanjaya (of American Idol fame), in which he initially wins through contrived means, only to (eventually) be voted off.
Parks also continues to be evasive as to whether (if he wins) he’d keep both his $72,000 job with ESL School District 189 as well as the $50,000 job as mayor.
Sure, it’s legal; but it’s also as unethical as all get out. One would hope that Parks would be required (by District 189) to report to work from 9-5; but don’t hold your breath.
That, then, begs the question of how would Parks also serve as mayor when 99 percent of City Hall officials run out the door as soon as the clock strikes five o’clock?
Either Parks is under the illusion that he can be in two places at the same time or is, apparently, arrogant enough to think that the public is stupid enough to believe that it’s OK for him make two checks (at taxpayers’ expense) while actually working at one gig.
It wouldn’t be the first time. District 189 is known for warehousing other employees who simply, sign-in (in the morning), sign-out (in the evening) and, in between, spend the bulk of their day politicking or working other jobs, while collecting two paychecks.
Word on the street is that, if elected, Parks has been told to nominate School Board President Lonzo Greenwood as ESL city manager. That could possibly cause those at District 189 to look the other way if Parks were conspicuously absent from the school board between the hours of 9-5.
Unfortunately, all of these scenarios would be an afterthought, if more ESL citizens had gotten up from their lazy, apathetic backsides and voted (for whomever) and made the election more reflective of their true sentiments.
Roughly 23,000 folks are registered to vote in ESL. Approximately 7,000 took the time to vote, with over two-thirds or 16,000 (enough to have elected a third candidate) choosing not to participate in the political process.
How trifling. Dr. King, Medgar Evers and others were beaten and assassinated so that black folks might have the opportunity to vote. When Nelson Mandela was elected president of South Africa, black Africans stood in line for MILES because they appreciated their right to vote.
Today, many of us (in ESL and elsewhere) are too trifling to put down the remote control, pick up a newspaper and learn the issues so that we may cast an informed vote to change the course of our future. For me that is inexcusable, untenable and yes, I say it again, TRIFLING!
Email: jtingram_1960@yahoo.com.