2nd. Ward Alderman John Balen Dies

[Danno]

This ought to be special.... :evil:

What do you think, Danno?

Good ol Don Weakley came up in a conversation yesterday.

[winthropharborguy]

Show a little respect! He's not even buried yet!

My wife and mother in law are good friends of the Balens. My wife grew up a few houses away from them. Their families were very close. I have a feeling that if John could talk from the grave the first thing he would say would be "dammit Hyde - get my replacement in there!". That was the type of person John was. Always fighting, always working, all the way up til the end. My political leanings were much more to the right of his but you still have to respect him. He really was Waukegan and he loved that town.

[marshmellow]

I had seen balen a couple of months ago, and I thought that he didn’t look that well.

I actually thought that maybe because of the way he was being treated by Hyde, he would decide to retire from his seat come the next election.

As for his wanting Hyde to hurry up and replace him, I would rather believe that he wouldn't want just anyone taking his spot, and certainly not another Hyde lackey.

If I was to guess, Weakley is one choice, but then...Maybe Hyde'll put Susan Link in there. I don't think there is anything to stop him from placing whoever he wants in Balen's seat.

[Danno]

I had seen balen a couple of months ago, and I thought that he didn’t look that well.

I actually thought that maybe because of the way he was being treated by Hyde, he would decide to retire from his seat come the next election.

As for his wanting Hyde to hurry up and replace him, I would rather believe that he wouldn't want just anyone taking his spot, and certainly not another Hyde lackey.

If I was to guess, Weakley is one choice, but then...Maybe Hyde'll put Susan Link in there. I don't think there is anything to stop him from placing whoever he wants in Balen's seat.

Susan Link would not be considered "qualified" under State Statute. The person has to live in the ward for at least one year prior to their appointment.

[Blackdiamond]

Is Weakley stil at City Hall?

[Danno]

Is Weakley stil at City Hall?

I think he's been retired since Hyde has been mayor.

[Penguin40]

Looks like Cunningham will take care of things in the meantime....



October 27, 2008

NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT
WAUKEGAN -- Second Ward Ald. John Balen was scheduled to be laid to rest Monday, nearly a week after he passed away following a long battle with cancer.

Following a wake Sunday at Bradley Funeral Home in North Chicago, a visitation and service for the veteran Lake County political figure were scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at Holy Family Church, 450 Keller Ave.

» Click to enlarge image

Balen

Meanwhile, city officials are formulating plans to name a replacement for Balen, who represented the south side 2nd Ward since 1995. City spokesman David Motley said Sunday that there are no immediate plans to fill the seat, but he added that Mayor Richard Hyde has "received a number of inquiries" from interested parties.

The last aldermanic vacancy took place in May 2001, when Ray Vukovich resigned his 4th Ward seat after Mayor Dan Drew named him director of governmental services. Current 4th Ward Ald. A.J. "Tony" Figueroa was announced as Vukovich's replacement and sworn in at the first City Council meeting presided over by Drew.

In the current situation, 1st Ward Ald. Sam Cunningham, whose ward borders the 2nd, announced he will field constituent inquiries and calls for service until Balen's replacement is named. Cunningham said 2nd Ward residents can call him his residence at (847) 249-8075, or his cellular phone at (847) 980-5750.

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