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Wayne Motley GOES WILD on constituents
#11
Snoopy Wrote:WTHS 74 you made an eloquent argument and I appreciate your opinion. I remember playing ball at Edward's field. It was a beautiful park, and it broke my heart to know they had to bulldoze that because of prior soil contamination. ( Can't remember what? Guilty of CRS!)
I know that you know the story of the JM site, to spare us all that drama and disappointment, we find ourselves in our present situation. I am the last of eleven, all of whom were born and raised Waukeganites. Many in favor of the complex, some opposed. Having been involved with Girls Softball in Waukegan for going on 10 years, I have seen beautiful complexes our surrounding communities have built. I have been promised by the likes of fine representatives of the Park District, such as Joe Favero and Wayne Motley, for many years that we would have a complex. They would tell me, be patient, Shawn, we have a plan in the works. I believe the referendum, one that I voted for, happened 10-12 years ago, when the District saved the course from certain home developement, thus giving the Orchard Hills course a few more years. All of this genuine love of this course, yet it was not profitable, and nothing but arguements at the end to try to save her?
I sure do not wish to instigate a deeply rooted feeling that many are passionate about, and respect yours. I can tell you I am a very bad golfer and love the game. I also believe it is a shame to lose an option to play golf so close to home. I also believe that it is a shame that every city surrounding us, up and down the North Shore invites my teams and our organization to their complex, but I am unable to reciprocate their generosity and hospitality.
To the many that have an opposing view of mine, I wish not to offend. Just letting you that others have feelings, just as you have, trying to do better for our future Waukeganites, and give them a place they could be proud of.
Wayne, I appreciate your passion about this matter, and remember the promise you and Joe made many years ago.

I have seen your posts on this subject before and I sympathize. I think other land can be found for baseball diamonds, this complex though is all about soccer fields to be used mostly by those that do not pay taxes to the district.

If given a choice I wouldn't mind turning the course into a nine hole course and the rest baseball diamonds.

Like I said it's done so there isn't much that can be done. Just don't like the attitudes of the "winners" of the issue telling the "losers" to get a life.

Shawn White
Waukegan Girls Softball Association
Waukegan Renegades Travel Softball
(224) 381-2834
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#12
Can anyone tell me what Bogdala can bring to the position of City Clerk? So far, all I have seen from him and his cohorts is dirty politics.
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#13
To "wordsearch", Hank Bogdala will bring integrity, good character, and moral values to the clerk's office besides his abilities in many areas. Can you say the same about "your" candidate???
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#14
In response to Wayne Motley's comments made under this topic, I have the following comments:

I think it is time that Motley and the Waukegan Park District Board stop trying to pretend that they completed their due diligence on the soccer/baseball complex in the two weeks that it took them to decide that they were walking away from the Johns Manville site on the lakefront to construct it at Orchard Hills. I work for an attorney who does real estate deals for people who develop shopping centers, and according to him, a due diligence investigation on a project of this scope takes at least a year to complete (usually more). Just because the Park District Board decided to move the project to Orchard Hills doesn't mean that they had done their due diligence on it. A due diligence investigation means checking with governmental authorities to determine what those agencies will or will not allow you to do at the site. Now remember, the Park District said that they had conducted their due diligence at Orchard Hills and was ready to move forward on this project over a year ago Let’s look at what’s happened so far…..

The Park District Board planned to build a bridge over the creek that runs through that property, but they found out the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wasn’t going to approve that. Then they planned on having a traffic light at the entrance, but the Illinois Department of Transportation wasn’t going for that, necessitating a main entrance off Beach Road. Then I tell them that there is a high likelihood that there are environmental issues at Orchard Hills (based on what was found at the Timber Trails Country Club golf course in Western Springs, as well as other golf courses being re-developed across the country). I ask that they do proper testing at the site and, if needed, clean it up prior to moving any dirt out there, but I am not a government agency and I can't force them to take any action, so they pretend these issues don‘t exist and Motley calls me a liar for voicing them.

I am not an environmental expert. I am, however, a former reporter with a degree in Journalism, and I learned a long time ago that when I need information about something, I track down the best sources I can find. In this case, my sources include the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and the Lake County Health Department.

When I first talked to Wayne Motley after he called me a liar at the December 15th meeting, he told me that the Park District had done the environmental test at Orchard Hills to satisfy my concerns. Well, that would have been a fine idea, if they had done appropriate testing based on what they were likely to find out there - mercury, arsenic, and lead at the tees, greens and sand traps. After I read the Park District’s report, I was appalled that they only did 12 samples - 1 at 3 of the 18 tees, 1 at 3 of the 18 greens, 3 at the chemical storage building, and 3 test samples. I did not think that was enough samples, as approximately 400 samples were done at the Timber Trails site, so I sent the report to Stan Black of the IEPA’s Office of Community Relations (who dealt extensively with the Timber Trails remediation), asking him to review it and give me his opinion. Following is what he wrote back to me:

“It took some time for me to respond to your message because I had to check with colleagues on both technical and policy questions to make sure my response would be accurate and complete.

“The rules governing the Illinois Site Remediation Program do not allow Todd Hall or any other SRP Project Manager to formally review the report from the Park District that you supplied to us. As you noted in your January letter to the Park District, the SRP is a voluntary program. Illinois EPA’s involvement with the Timber Trails project was not possible until the project was formally brought into the SRP and the fees paid. There are some circumstances when the environment and public health are so clearly threatened that the Illinois EPA can use its very constrained emergency powers to protect the environment and the public. I should say that this rarely happens, and even more rarely when it would mean Agency intervention in the actions of another unit of government. In the present case, the Agency would need to have evidence of imminent environmental or public health threats in order to act. At this stage such evidence is lacking.

"That being said, I will tell you that I have looked over the report you sent (I am not constrained by the limits of the SRP staff), and your concern - the number of samples - is not the key flaw. Though the levels of metals and pesticides reported are not alarming from a health standpoint, there is a problem with the study. I checked with the agency toxicologist who handled the Timber Trails project to make sure my first reaction was correct. She indicated that no more than three to six inches is the appropriate depth for samples of soils where protection of people from contact (ingestion & inhalation) with surface soils is the issue. To composite soil samples from a three-foot interval below ground surface will “dilute” any contamination that might be found in the surface soils that would be contacted during sports activities. As our toxicologist pointed out, many of the metals and pesticides that might have been applied at the golf course have a strong tendency to cling to soil particles, and could be expected to remain close to the surface. Therefore, the sampling technique used in the study you supplied probably would have understated the levels of the chemicals analyzed. It is my opinion (though not a formal finding of this agency - I am neither qualified nor authorized to make such findings) that if the study were to be submitted for Agency approval, a Project Manager would require re-sampling (which would be relatively cheap and easy) of similar locations at the shallower depths appropriate for evaluating surface soils. The analytical costs would be the primary expenses in such a study, since no extensive sampling equipment is required. Since the chemical concentrations found were low, there is no certainty that re-sampling would indicate a serious chemical hazard in the surface soils, but we would not know for sure without further sampling.

“I wish the Agency could do more for you in response to your request. However, if the Park District would choose to enter the SRP, they could get the full attention of our staff.”

In my comments to the City Council on December 15th, I noted that levels of arsenic 30 times the IEPA’s acceptable levels were found at the Timber Trail site. According to a technical person from the Health Department who prefers to remain unnamed, if you’re looking for arsenic, you test for it in the top 3 to 6 inches of soil, not at the 3-foot depths used for the Park District report. To me that indicates that the Park District needs to go back and do sampling at the shallower depths, as well as more of them. That was all I asking for at the December 15th City Council meeting - that the City push the Park District to do appropriate testing. I certainly never expected the response that I got from Wayne Motley.

If the park district does do additional testing, and if there are issues at the golf course that would require extensive and expensive remediation, the Park District could leave it as it is, don't move any dirt and the golf course could continue to be used as a golf course without requiring remediation, according to the IEPA. Perhaps at that point the Park District Board would consider other sites (such as Yeoman Creek, and, maybe with a little negotiating, the Johns Manville site) which could be used for construction of that complex.

On another note, I have an update on the Timber Trails site, which was purchased by a developer for construction of homes and required remediation due to pesticide and herbicide applications made to it over its 77-year life. The remediation began in 2005 under the guidance of the IEPA and, to date, over $5 million in remediation costs have been incurred and the developer still has not received its “no further remediation” letter from the IEPA. In an interesting turn of events, the developer, Western Springs One, LLC, filed a lawsuit on January 27, 2009, as Cook County Case No. 09 L 964, against Marlin Environmental for concluding in its Phase I environmental report that its assessment revealed no evidence of recognized environmental conditions in connection with the site, with the exception of a leaking underground storage tank. That “clean” report prompted the developer to purchase the site for $45,675,000. The lawsuit goes on to state that additional soil sampling contracted by the developer after purchase revealed the presence of hazardous substances, including, but not limited to, arsenic, lead and mercury, at concentrations exceeding the IEPA’s standards deemed safe for human exposure. The developer is asking that the court award compensatory damages of at least $5 million, declare Marlin Environmental liable for any further remediation costs at the site, and award punitive damages and costs.

As I have maintained from the beginning, if you do not do appropriate testing, you will not get accurate results.

And once again Motley personally attacks not only me, but my son and my son's friend, by stating that we three make "it clear that they intend to demean me for my outburst by posting it on the internet in violation of the City of Waukegan Copy Right Disclaimer" (he has since removed this portion of his comments, but he made them nonetheless). I posted the clip on You Tube entitled "Waukegan City Council Ryckman/Motley" that showed both my comments and Motley's comments. with technical help from my son and his friend. I fail to see how letting people see how Motley treated me at the city council meeting results in me demeaning him - he demeaned himself. And an FYI, even if the City Council meeting DVD was protected by Illinois copyright law (which it isn't), I contacted Mayor Richard Hyde prior to copying and showing it, and he said that since I had purchased the DVD, I could use it any way i wanted to.

Motley has managed to slander me once again, only this time he has included my son and his friend in his defamatory accusations. I hope he's proud of himself.

Linda Ryckman
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#15
I read what you have presented. I have a couple of questions. If this arsenic has existed or does exist on the Orchard Hills site, I would conclude that it it would not be safe for either soccer player, golfer, softball player, or senior walkers. I question why the sudden sense of concern at this point?
I wonder the intention behind that this is presented to the City Council? I do not know you, nor do I wish to offend you. I do, however, find it peculiar that this is presented at the time of election of City Clerk.
I have known Wayne Motley for I'm guessing 30 years. He was Officer Friendly when I was a child at Whittier School. I got to know him better as a delinquent in my adolescent years. He showed me genuine concern in those days, and help me along the path of life. Our paths cross quite more often, the more I've become involved with the youth of Waukegan; I consider him my friend.
I wonder why you have chosen to present a Park District matter to the City Council? These are two separate offices. To remind everyone, the park board is not a paid position.
I have seen that Wayne's peers have honored him for his dedication to his position. I'll say, I was happy for him. Nice to see efforts rewarded.
Please separate the two positions and elect a City Clerk that has his peers of the State of Illinois on his side.

Shawn White
(224) 381-2834
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#16
The following is in response to Shawn White's questions:

I have been talking to the Waukegan Park District Board about environmental concerns (including arsenic) for over a year now. The Board agreed to do testing, but did not do appropriate testing. A clean bill of health from an inappropriate test does not mean much to me. After reviewing the Orchard Hills report, I told my concerns to the Park District Board, with no reaction. I then presented my concerns at a Wadsworth Village Board meeting, reading verbatim from the Stan Black email quoted in my previous post on this site. Park District Executive Director Greg Petry, who attended that meeting, was quoted in the News-Sun saying that I was providing misinformation and trying to create environmental hysteria. In December, I again went to the Park District Board meeting hoping to get them to do proper testing at Orchard Hills, and again they just sat there looking at me. Not one comment was made.

So on December 15th, I decided to take my concerns to the Waukegan City Council and tell the aldermen and public (both in the audience and via Comcast) of my concerns, hoping that others would hear me and push the Park District to do more and shallower soil tests at Orchard Hills before developing the site and stirring up whatever lies under the soil before we know that soil is clean.

However, the December 15th Waukegan City Council meeting was never aired on Channel 17 Public Access Television because of “an apparent programming error” by Comcast, according to Vic Walter of Comcast. Because of public interest, Comcast agreed to air the meeting out of order, pending approval by the City of Waukegan and the producer, Mike Hill. Hill gave his approval. According to City Clerk Wayne Motley, when Comcast contacted him to get the City’s approval to air the meeting, Motley said that he called the “attorney” and the attorney advised that since it was not precedent to air meetings out of order, the City did not have to give its approval, and would not give its approval to air the meeting. So, the situation was that the public would not get to see my report, Wayne Motley called me a liar at the meeting (among his other rants), and lo and behold, the meeting is now not going to be aired.

This situation did not make me happy, so.......

When I found out that the December 15th meeting was not going to be televised, I made a Freedom of Information Act request of the City for a copy of the DVD of the meeting. It took me some time, but I finally got a copy of the meeting DVD after paying $15 for it. And it took a little more time to figure out how to get it on You Tube, but I was eventually able to do it (with some help from the younger generation). The timing was not intended to be around election time - that is just how long it took to get that six-minute clip out on You Tube.

MOTLEY THREATENS SUIT OVER YOU TUBE USE: At the February 2nd Waukegan City Council meeting, I told the council that the December 15th meeting never aired, that Motley would not give the City’s approval, and asked that the City Council give its approval to air the meeting. Mayor Richard Hyde referred the matter to the Judiciary Committee. On February 18th, I called Motley to see if the Judiciary Committee made a decision regarding airing the December 15th meeting (the council met on February 16th). Motley asked me why I cared, since I had already put part of it on You Tube, and wondered why I didn’t just put the whole thing on You Tube. I said if I could have I would have, but it was too long. Motley then said that he had talked to the “attorney” (he must have him on speed dial) and the City was considering suing me for copyright infringement for putting part of the public comment portion on You Tube. I then advised him that there are limitations to the exclusive rights of a copyright owner, and that I did not violate Illinois copyright law. I added that even if my use of the City Council tape could be considered copyright infringement, I had contacted Mayor Hyde prior to copying and showing the DVD, and Mayor Hyde said that I had purchased the DVD of the meeting from the producer and that I could use it any way I wanted to. Motley was obviously surprised and said he would check it out. The Judiciary Committee took no action regarding airing the December 15th meeting, according to Motley.

Personally, I have a problem with City Clerk Motley threatening to sue me for making even a portion of the unaired December 15th meeting available to the public, and I find it laughable that on Motley’s Re-Election Website (motleyforclerk.com), he states: “I have attempted to increase the public’s awareness of municipal government by posting city council agendas and minutes on the internet and by airing the council meetings on cable television.”

Mr. White (and Motley) seem to think that being named City Clerk of the Year by Motley's peers should mean something to the people of Waukegan. I think the true measure of what kind of City Clerk he is is determined by how he treats the Waukegan public. Well, I am a member of the Waukegan public, and I don't think he's treated me too well. I have a feeling from the way he has treated me that there are others that he hasn't been too nice to either. Although he has referred to the City Clerk position as "his job," I think he has forgotten that it is more than just a job, it is an elected position that he gets to hold only as long as the people feel that he is working in their best interests. Well, the time for the people to decide that question is almost here. It should be interesting to see what they decide.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WAYNE MOTLEY WILL BE FACING OFF AGAINST HANK BOGDALA FOR CITY CLERK ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.


Linda Ryckman
Waukegan

[Following is a link to the You Tube site: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TbfqKAd4U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TbfqKAd4U</a><!-- m -->]
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#17
I'm sorry you had a bad experience dealing with the city council about park district matters. I have had a different experience in dealing with them. I'm sure there is more to this story, they always have three sides.
I'm guessing you were not in favor of a decision by the parks to build a complex. I understand.
My wife has met Wayne once or twice, I believe. I believe she voted for him for Park board.
Thank you for keeping this civil, I'll continue to support Wayne. I know him to be a good man.
Shawn White
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#18
Snoopy Wrote:I read what you have presented. I have a couple of questions. If this arsenic has existed or does exist on the Orchard Hills site, I would conclude that it it would not be safe for either soccer player, golfer, softball player, or senior walkers. I question why the sudden sense of concern at this point?
I wonder the intention behind that this is presented to the City Council? I do not know you, nor do I wish to offend you. I do, however, find it peculiar that this is presented at the time of election of City Clerk.
I have known Wayne Motley for I'm guessing 30 years. He was Officer Friendly when I was a child at Whittier School. I got to know him better as a delinquent in my adolescent years. He showed me genuine concern in those days, and help me along the path of life. Our paths cross quite more often, the more I've become involved with the youth of Waukegan; I consider him my friend.
I wonder why you have chosen to present a Park District matter to the City Council? These are two separate offices. To remind everyone, the park board is not a paid position.
I have seen that Wayne's peers have honored him for his dedication to his position. I'll say, I was happy for him. Nice to see efforts rewarded.
Please separate the two positions and elect a City Clerk that has his peers of the State of Illinois on his side.

Shawn White
(224) 381-2834
I would guess you are referring to the Clerk of the Year award? I had a good laugh when I first saw that. I have to say, because of this, my faith in the sincerity of this award has been reduced to nil. Why do I say this? In my opinion and experience Wayne Motley is a poor city clerk and if this is the best we have in the entire state then we are in big trouble. One of the most important duties of the city clerk is the recording of the minutes of the city council meetings. This is an important duty because the minutes serve as a permanent record of the city council's actions for generations to come. Motley as clerk has done a terrible job recording these minutes. There are frequent omissions (some I suspect are intentional) and lack of detail that circumvent the statuatory requirements. If you don't believe me just do an internet search of other municipalities and compare the minutes, both qualitatively and quantitatively. Mr. Motley also overcharges (again outside the parameters of the statute) for FOIA requests. I have heard this overcharge was implemented to serve as a deterrent to openness. Also there has been some editing done on the video of the city council meetings. Sorry but I cannot vote for that.
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#19
lindaryckman Wrote:The following is in response to Shawn White's questions:

I have been talking to the Waukegan Park District Board about environmental concerns (including arsenic) for over a year now. The Board agreed to do testing, but did not do appropriate testing. A clean bill of health from an inappropriate test does not mean much to me. After reviewing the Orchard Hills report, I told my concerns to the Park District Board, with no reaction. I then presented my concerns at a Wadsworth Village Board meeting, reading verbatim from the Stan Black email quoted in my previous post on this site. Park District Executive Director Greg Petry, who attended that meeting, was quoted in the News-Sun saying that I was providing misinformation and trying to create environmental hysteria. In December, I again went to the Park District Board meeting hoping to get them to do proper testing at Orchard Hills, and again they just sat there looking at me. Not one comment was made.

So on December 15th, I decided to take my concerns to the Waukegan City Council and tell the aldermen and public (both in the audience and via Comcast) of my concerns, hoping that others would hear me and push the Park District to do more and shallower soil tests at Orchard Hills before developing the site and stirring up whatever lies under the soil before we know that soil is clean.

However, the December 15th Waukegan City Council meeting was never aired on Channel 17 Public Access Television because of “an apparent programming error” by Comcast, according to Vic Walter of Comcast. Because of public interest, Comcast agreed to air the meeting out of order, pending approval by the City of Waukegan and the producer, Mike Hill. Hill gave his approval. According to City Clerk Wayne Motley, when Comcast contacted him to get the City’s approval to air the meeting, Motley said that he called the “attorney” and the attorney advised that since it was not precedent to air meetings out of order, the City did not have to give its approval, and would not give its approval to air the meeting. So, the situation was that the public would not get to see my report, Wayne Motley called me a liar at the meeting (among his other rants), and lo and behold, the meeting is now not going to be aired.

This situation did not make me happy, so.......

When I found out that the December 15th meeting was not going to be televised, I made a Freedom of Information Act request of the City for a copy of the DVD of the meeting. It took me some time, but I finally got a copy of the meeting DVD after paying $15 for it. And it took a little more time to figure out how to get it on You Tube, but I was eventually able to do it (with some help from the younger generation). The timing was not intended to be around election time - that is just how long it took to get that six-minute clip out on You Tube.

MOTLEY THREATENS SUIT OVER YOU TUBE USE: At the February 2nd Waukegan City Council meeting, I told the council that the December 15th meeting never aired, that Motley would not give the City’s approval, and asked that the City Council give its approval to air the meeting. Mayor Richard Hyde referred the matter to the Judiciary Committee. On February 18th, I called Motley to see if the Judiciary Committee made a decision regarding airing the December 15th meeting (the council met on February 16th). Motley asked me why I cared, since I had already put part of it on You Tube, and wondered why I didn’t just put the whole thing on You Tube. I said if I could have I would have, but it was too long. Motley then said that he had talked to the “attorney” (he must have him on speed dial) and the City was considering suing me for copyright infringement for putting part of the public comment portion on You Tube. I then advised him that there are limitations to the exclusive rights of a copyright owner, and that I did not violate Illinois copyright law. I added that even if my use of the City Council tape could be considered copyright infringement, I had contacted Mayor Hyde prior to copying and showing the DVD, and Mayor Hyde said that I had purchased the DVD of the meeting from the producer and that I could use it any way I wanted to. Motley was obviously surprised and said he would check it out. The Judiciary Committee took no action regarding airing the December 15th meeting, according to Motley.

Personally, I have a problem with City Clerk Motley threatening to sue me for making even a portion of the unaired December 15th meeting available to the public, and I find it laughable that on Motley’s Re-Election Website (motleyforclerk.com), he states: “I have attempted to increase the public’s awareness of municipal government by posting city council agendas and minutes on the internet and by airing the council meetings on cable television.”

Mr. White (and Motley) seem to think that being named City Clerk of the Year by Motley's peers should mean something to the people of Waukegan. I think the true measure of what kind of City Clerk he is is determined by how he treats the Waukegan public. Well, I am a member of the Waukegan public, and I don't think he's treated me too well. I have a feeling from the way he has treated me that there are others that he hasn't been too nice to either. Although he has referred to the City Clerk position as "his job," I think he has forgotten that it is more than just a job, it is an elected position that he gets to hold only as long as the people feel that he is working in their best interests. Well, the time for the people to decide that question is almost here. It should be interesting to see what they decide.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT WAYNE MOTLEY WILL BE FACING OFF AGAINST HANK BOGDALA FOR CITY CLERK ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.


Linda Ryckman
Waukegan

[Following is a link to the You Tube site: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TbfqKAd4U">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9TbfqKAd4U</a><!-- m -->]

Ms. Ryckman, I can relate to the abuse of power that you are experiencing. I've been through all of the same as you and more. $15 for a copy of the video? Suing you for copyright infringement? Just more reason to NOT vote for Motley. If I were not afraid to go to council meetings I'd start taping the meetings again.

There is recent case law concerning charges for a copy of a tape and the Illinois Appealate Court has said the municipality cannot charge. Mr. Motley should have just put the DVD in the public library like he is supposed to and told you to go there and check it out for free. I'm surprised they didn't accidentally "lose" it.

http://www.state.il.us/court/opinions/ap...070300.pdf
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#20
Danno,
I do not wish to dispute your run ins with the city, nor will I attempt to defend a person I consider a friend. He holds a public office and is responsible to his constituents, period. I will say, that despite your disgreements with a friend of mine, his peers recognized his achievements within the state of Illinois. I'll not dispute that you have legitimate beefs with this entire organization, but I should also consider the views of his peers that have distinguished him with an award; as laughable as it may seem to you. There always are three sides to a story. Voters have a choice in the morning/afternoon. I hope he succeeds, he is a good man. You choice is yours, Danno, inevitibly, the voters will decide.
Good luck, Wayne.
Shawn White
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