06-16-2009, 06:44 AM
No comments on this yet -check later at the link. I don't know the 'players' for the law firms -so may learn something in the comment section.
City Hall shake-up begins in public works
Sabonjian fires director
Comments
June 16, 2009
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- The landscape has started to shift at City Hall, with the firing last week of public works director William "Biddy" Johnston signaling the first of several expected departures by appointees from the Richard Hyde administration.
Johnston, a longtime public works employee who was named superintendent by Hyde in May 2003, was let go Friday and replaced on an interim basis by Steve Drew, according to Mayor Robert Sabonjian.
"I can't comment beyond that because of personnel issues," Sabonjian said prior to Monday's City Council meeting, adding that he expects to name a permanent successor within 30 to 50 days.
"That's the way these nationwide searches go," Sabonjian said. "Everybody will be (eligible). It's an open job -- you don't have to know someone. That's not how we're going to do it at all."
Johnston was not in attendance at Monday's meeting, with Drew taking his place advising the Public Works Committee.
Also scheduled to leave his post, though under different circumstances, is Building Commissioner John Jurkovac, who said he will accept the city's early-retirement incentive that was set in motion earlier this month.
Jurkovac, 61, is a 19-year employee of the building department and was named commissioner in 2003. He said he will retire effective July 31, leaving another office for Sabonjian to fill.
In addition, city officials confirmed that license administrator Larry Schutz will be taking early retirement. At its June 1 meeting, the council approved a plan to offer retirement to employees as young as 50 in an effort to cut payroll and address a projected $6.5 million budget deficit.
Also on Monday, several Sabonjian political backers addressed the council to show support for the new mayor, claiming that he has been subjected to political opposition as he moves forward with proposals.
"I came tonight because I heard there's a lack of support for Mayor Sabonjian," said College of Lake County Trustee Philip J. Carrigan. "I would hope people would recognize on the City Council" the plurality Sabonjian drew on election day.
Hank Bogdala noted that he had to answer questions from 8th Ward Ald. Rick Larsen at the June 1 council meeting after being nominated by Sabonjian to serve on the Waukegan Port District.
Bogdala told the council he took that as a sign of disrespect to Sabonjian, saying "in the name of decency, the new mayor needs to be afforded his honeymoon, as every other mayor has."
Meanwhile, disagreement arose over Sabonjian's proposed appointment of Ted Kuderko as city prosecutor, which was blocked earlier this month by 8th Ward Ald. Rick Larsen with a parliamentary move.
The council ended up going into closed session late Monday, apparently to discuss Kuderko's would-be appointment and a proposal submitted by the current prosecutor -- the Waukegan firm of Smith and LuZerne -- to retain the role.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1624054,5_1_WA16_WAUKEGAN_S1-090616.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 16.article</a><!-- m -->
City Hall shake-up begins in public works
Sabonjian fires director
Comments
June 16, 2009
By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@scn1.com">dmoran@scn1.com</a><!-- e -->
WAUKEGAN -- The landscape has started to shift at City Hall, with the firing last week of public works director William "Biddy" Johnston signaling the first of several expected departures by appointees from the Richard Hyde administration.
Johnston, a longtime public works employee who was named superintendent by Hyde in May 2003, was let go Friday and replaced on an interim basis by Steve Drew, according to Mayor Robert Sabonjian.
"I can't comment beyond that because of personnel issues," Sabonjian said prior to Monday's City Council meeting, adding that he expects to name a permanent successor within 30 to 50 days.
"That's the way these nationwide searches go," Sabonjian said. "Everybody will be (eligible). It's an open job -- you don't have to know someone. That's not how we're going to do it at all."
Johnston was not in attendance at Monday's meeting, with Drew taking his place advising the Public Works Committee.
Also scheduled to leave his post, though under different circumstances, is Building Commissioner John Jurkovac, who said he will accept the city's early-retirement incentive that was set in motion earlier this month.
Jurkovac, 61, is a 19-year employee of the building department and was named commissioner in 2003. He said he will retire effective July 31, leaving another office for Sabonjian to fill.
In addition, city officials confirmed that license administrator Larry Schutz will be taking early retirement. At its June 1 meeting, the council approved a plan to offer retirement to employees as young as 50 in an effort to cut payroll and address a projected $6.5 million budget deficit.
Also on Monday, several Sabonjian political backers addressed the council to show support for the new mayor, claiming that he has been subjected to political opposition as he moves forward with proposals.
"I came tonight because I heard there's a lack of support for Mayor Sabonjian," said College of Lake County Trustee Philip J. Carrigan. "I would hope people would recognize on the City Council" the plurality Sabonjian drew on election day.
Hank Bogdala noted that he had to answer questions from 8th Ward Ald. Rick Larsen at the June 1 council meeting after being nominated by Sabonjian to serve on the Waukegan Port District.
Bogdala told the council he took that as a sign of disrespect to Sabonjian, saying "in the name of decency, the new mayor needs to be afforded his honeymoon, as every other mayor has."
Meanwhile, disagreement arose over Sabonjian's proposed appointment of Ted Kuderko as city prosecutor, which was blocked earlier this month by 8th Ward Ald. Rick Larsen with a parliamentary move.
The council ended up going into closed session late Monday, apparently to discuss Kuderko's would-be appointment and a proposal submitted by the current prosecutor -- the Waukegan firm of Smith and LuZerne -- to retain the role.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1624054,5_1_WA16_WAUKEGAN_S1-090616.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 16.article</a><!-- m -->