District 135. Just When You Thought It Was Safe...

When I finished my last article about the 2013 elections, I thought I could delete "Cunningham" and "Gentile" from my spell check once and for all.

Well, I guess not!

Apparently, in the wake of John Carmody's resignation, the last remnants of the old, outgoing majority are now trying to manipulate the rules and appoint someone on Tuesday evening to replace him. Normally, the board invites applicants to submit a resume of sorts and meet with the remaining board members for an interview. The board then votes on a replacement. That's how its supposed to work.

Now, let's be real. Lame duck hi-jinx are nothing new. Do you know why you can't vote straight party anymore? When House Speaker Lee Daniels' illustrious career came to an end after the 1996 election, the Republicans got rid of it. That tax hike Quinn passed in 2011; that came with the help of some non-returning legislators (along with some nice jobs for those who left the legislature doing Quinn's bidding). School Boards and Village Boards have used their final moments to hire and promote people along with giving some folks some hefty raises.

Usually it amounts to a big, extended middle finger to the people who defeated them, as well as to the voters who did not re-elect them.

What seems to be happening here is just that. Whether the outgoing board replaces Carmody or the new board does, its not really going to change anything. That side of the board has gone from Ann Master Flash and the Furious Four to Tina and, well, uh, Tina. Or, maybe, Tina and Ann's friend that she couldn't fire another secretary to hire and got her a school board seat instead.

This is why I don't get some of the conspiracy theories that I've read lately. Mainly that the Dick Cheney of the 135 Business Office is behind all this. I know John Reiniche and I know he's way too smart to jump on board a sinking ship, regardless of whether that ship has a minority of 1 or 2.

No this is just a way for some of those who lost to try to break a toy that they can no longer play with.

What remains to be seen is whether or not three board members can do anything by themselves. If Mary Bragg, Lynn Donengan and Joe LaMargo stay home on Tuesday, I'm not sure what the Ghastly Trio can really do. I can't imagine Donnegan or LaMargo going along with this. The wild card is Mary Bragg, but I don't think she would stoop to such a level. I believe she will leave the board with class. She served honorably for 8 years and I don't think she'll want this fiasco to be her legacy.

My guess is that Cunningham, Zekich and Gentile will appoint someone and dare the new board to do something about it. In the end, the lawyers will win at the expense of the taxpayers. Normally, I don't like seeing tax money being spent that way, but, if the new board fights this, I will support them 100%.

We voted for change and change is what we expect. Don't let the dark past dictate the bright future.