You Thought You Had No Power - That You Could Not Change Things!
All you needed to do was to stand and be counted!
The nod-nod, wink-wink, secret handshake, tax and spend political clique has controlled this city for decades. By now, you may have concluded that there is nothing you can do about it.
Think that you can't change things? Think Again!
Join us in examining the evidence.
Think that you can't change things? Think Again!
Join us in examining the evidence.
Inherently Corrupt Government
The Problem: Mayor-Council Government
The Solution: Council-Manager Government |
Berwyn operates under what is called a "Mayor-Council" form of local government. It is a form of government that is steadily being rejected by an increasing number of cities across the United States.
The most popular form of local government in the United States and the world is the Council-Manager form of government and NOT the "Mayor-Council" form of government.
In both forms of government, residents elect a mayor and a number of aldermen or trustees to participate in the management of the city.
As we have stated, BRIC's position is that Berwyn's form of government, the Mayor-Council form of local government, is inherently politically corrupt and incompetent and serves as a sink-hole for tax payer dollars.
And so why is Bewyn's form of government becoming extinct? Why is the Council-Manager form of government the most popular and fastest growing form of local government in the United States?
Because in a Council-Manager government, management of city government is placed in the hands of a professional independent business manager who is hired under a set of rules, laws, guidelines and a code of ethcis that require him to function separate from political influence. The manager hires, fires and lays off city employees, executes necessary purchases, prepares the city budget and performs all the other day to day services associated with running a business.
Note that a inherently corrupt Mayor-Council government may have a city manager, but that city manager is not required to function separate from political influence. All too often the city manager employed under the Mayor-Council form of government is not much more than an "errand boy" because his job depends on pleasing his masters.
The most popular form of local government in the United States and the world is the Council-Manager form of government and NOT the "Mayor-Council" form of government.
In both forms of government, residents elect a mayor and a number of aldermen or trustees to participate in the management of the city.
As we have stated, BRIC's position is that Berwyn's form of government, the Mayor-Council form of local government, is inherently politically corrupt and incompetent and serves as a sink-hole for tax payer dollars.
And so why is Bewyn's form of government becoming extinct? Why is the Council-Manager form of government the most popular and fastest growing form of local government in the United States?
Because in a Council-Manager government, management of city government is placed in the hands of a professional independent business manager who is hired under a set of rules, laws, guidelines and a code of ethcis that require him to function separate from political influence. The manager hires, fires and lays off city employees, executes necessary purchases, prepares the city budget and performs all the other day to day services associated with running a business.
Note that a inherently corrupt Mayor-Council government may have a city manager, but that city manager is not required to function separate from political influence. All too often the city manager employed under the Mayor-Council form of government is not much more than an "errand boy" because his job depends on pleasing his masters.
The Trend Is Your Friend
In 1978, 34% of the cities in the United States had adopted the Council-Manager form of local government while 56% were still functioning under the Mayor-Council form of government. By 2008, cities that had adopted the Council-Manager model in the United States jumped from 34% to 49% while those cities stuck with Mayor-Council government had dropped from 56% to 44% trending its way to extinction.
(Note: A third form, the "Commission" form of government, governs most of the remaining communities and is generally used in jurisdictions of less than 2,500 people. It is primarily confined to New England States).
|
Fifty-four percent (54%) of municipalities with a population between 5,000 and 250,000 residents are governed under the Council-Manager structure (2,745 out of 5,124 and growing).
In 2007, more than 3,500 (49 percent) of the 7,171 U.S. cities and towns with populations of 2,500 residents or more operated under the Council-Manager form along with 370 counties.
Of the 247 U.S. cities with populations greater than 100,000 residents, 144 (58 %) operate under the Council-Manager form of government. A sampling includes:
• Charlotte, North Carolina (pop. 540,000)
• Dallas, Texas (pop. 1,188,000)
• Fairfax County, Virginia (pop. 969,000)
• Las Vegas, Nevada (pop. 535,000)
• Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (pop. 695,000)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (pop. 506,000)
• Phoenix, Arizona (pop. 1,321,000)
• San Antonio, Texas (pop. 1,144,000)
• San Jose, California (pop. 894,000)
• Virginia Beach, Virginia (pop. 425,000)
• Wichita, Kansas (pop. 344,000)
In 2007, more than 3,500 (49 percent) of the 7,171 U.S. cities and towns with populations of 2,500 residents or more operated under the Council-Manager form along with 370 counties.
Of the 247 U.S. cities with populations greater than 100,000 residents, 144 (58 %) operate under the Council-Manager form of government. A sampling includes:
• Charlotte, North Carolina (pop. 540,000)
• Dallas, Texas (pop. 1,188,000)
• Fairfax County, Virginia (pop. 969,000)
• Las Vegas, Nevada (pop. 535,000)
• Mecklenburg County, North Carolina (pop. 695,000)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (pop. 506,000)
• Phoenix, Arizona (pop. 1,321,000)
• San Antonio, Texas (pop. 1,144,000)
• San Jose, California (pop. 894,000)
• Virginia Beach, Virginia (pop. 425,000)
• Wichita, Kansas (pop. 344,000)
Why Is Council-Manager Government So Popular?
This website will be devoted to answering this question with numerous illustrations over the next several months. However, concisely stated, the reason it is so popular is because it offers a no-nonsense alternative to the old secretive and inherently incompetent and corrupt political control of the Mayor-Council government which virtually assures unfairness, patronage, favoritism, pay-offs and the chronic waste of taxpayer money.
Put another way, it removes and replaces political management of your tax dollars with independent professional management. The Council-Manager Government reports to the taxpayers daily, removes political control of government finances from the politicians and returns that control to the taxpayers.
Put another way, it removes and replaces political management of your tax dollars with independent professional management. The Council-Manager Government reports to the taxpayers daily, removes political control of government finances from the politicians and returns that control to the taxpayers.
Click Below To Download A Partial List Of The Cities That Have Adopted The Council-Manger Form Of government. The List Was Provided By The ICMA.
| independent_manager_cities.pdf |
Inherent Corruption -vs- Professional Management
Would you rather have political management of your money or would you prefer professional business management of your tax dollars? You do have a choice.
We believe and are prepared to prove that the propensity toward corruption and incompetence is inherent in Berwyn's Mayor-Council form of government because it commingles politics with the business and financial management of the city. We believe that Berwyn's Mayor-Council form of government is, by its very design, riddled with conflict of interest. As with oil and water, political aspirations and financial management do not mix well.
We believe and are prepared to prove that the propensity toward corruption and incompetence is inherent in Berwyn's Mayor-Council form of government because it commingles politics with the business and financial management of the city. We believe that Berwyn's Mayor-Council form of government is, by its very design, riddled with conflict of interest. As with oil and water, political aspirations and financial management do not mix well.
The Smiling Faces of Inherently Corrupt Government
Inherently corrupt political control of this city has cost Berwyn residents millions of dollars over decades. This website is designed to provide you with an objective report of historical and current political events and facts that illustrate that residents always come out the losers in a Mayor-Council government.
Why Do You Think They Call It A "Machine"?
When I think of a Berwyn taxpayer, the image of workers toiling in cotton fields come to mind. After all, that is all you represent to the machine politicians. You are just one of the many cogs in one of the wheel gears that keep things running THEIR way.
The core reason you work for a living and pay excessive taxes to your political masters is because your tax dollars are needed to subsidize a culture of entitlements that are designed to support and protect an obedient patronage army.
The patronage army is called into service every election cycle to assure that the "right type of partisan voter" turns out the right number of voters on election day to assure victory. The primary goal is to guarantee that political control of your tax dollars remains in the hands of the entitled few. That is why they call it a "political machine".
The core reason you work for a living and pay excessive taxes to your political masters is because your tax dollars are needed to subsidize a culture of entitlements that are designed to support and protect an obedient patronage army.
The patronage army is called into service every election cycle to assure that the "right type of partisan voter" turns out the right number of voters on election day to assure victory. The primary goal is to guarantee that political control of your tax dollars remains in the hands of the entitled few. That is why they call it a "political machine".
Wise Up!
If they did not have control over the city's bank account with the power to enrich themselves, their friends and their families with your money - and the power to influence who gets the jobs, the contracts, the salaries, the benefits and the other goodies political control has to offer, do you think that they would even be interested in elected office?
An Example
A recent example is Michele Skryd. It amuses me that this was in the news recently. It was common knowledge throughout my term in office (2005-2009) that Alderman Michele Skryd was doing everything possible to have her husband promoted within the Berwyn police department in order to enable him to retire at a much higher grade of retirement income. If you were involved in city government and did not know this, you must have been in a coma.
Michele's problem was that she could not get enough votes to achieve her goal. The only votes she could get were Lovero's, Chapman's, Phelan's and her own. That was only four votes and she needed at least five votes.
What angered her most was the fact that she could not manipulate O'Connor (the mayor) into supporting her efforts. That meant that, even if she could find a 5th vote to create a 5 to 3 victory for herself, O'Connor would have vetoed the proposal. She then would have needed 6 votes to over-ride his veto and that was not going to happen.
Jumping Ship
Michele's failure to achieve this goal under the O'Connor administration was the primary reason why Michele abandoned O'Connor and the IVB to join Lovero's ticket. Lovero had promised her that she would "have her way" if he was elected.
During the last election cycle, I wrote and advised residents that if the "inherently corrupt and incompetent political machine" regained control over city government, Skryd's loyalty for joining Lovero's campaign would be amply rewarded and would grease the way for her husband's promotion resulting in higher a pension. This is exactly what has happened.
Lovero won the election and Skryd won her prize with 7 obedient votes clearing the way. A few articles appearing in the Berwyn Life Newspaper covered the story quite well. Those articles along with BRIC's "Inside Story" of this event is now available by clicking here. Don't miss any of the action. Be sure to sign up for "Email Alerts" to be informed when new content is published on this website.
An Example
A recent example is Michele Skryd. It amuses me that this was in the news recently. It was common knowledge throughout my term in office (2005-2009) that Alderman Michele Skryd was doing everything possible to have her husband promoted within the Berwyn police department in order to enable him to retire at a much higher grade of retirement income. If you were involved in city government and did not know this, you must have been in a coma.
Michele's problem was that she could not get enough votes to achieve her goal. The only votes she could get were Lovero's, Chapman's, Phelan's and her own. That was only four votes and she needed at least five votes.
What angered her most was the fact that she could not manipulate O'Connor (the mayor) into supporting her efforts. That meant that, even if she could find a 5th vote to create a 5 to 3 victory for herself, O'Connor would have vetoed the proposal. She then would have needed 6 votes to over-ride his veto and that was not going to happen.
Jumping Ship
Michele's failure to achieve this goal under the O'Connor administration was the primary reason why Michele abandoned O'Connor and the IVB to join Lovero's ticket. Lovero had promised her that she would "have her way" if he was elected.
During the last election cycle, I wrote and advised residents that if the "inherently corrupt and incompetent political machine" regained control over city government, Skryd's loyalty for joining Lovero's campaign would be amply rewarded and would grease the way for her husband's promotion resulting in higher a pension. This is exactly what has happened.
Lovero won the election and Skryd won her prize with 7 obedient votes clearing the way. A few articles appearing in the Berwyn Life Newspaper covered the story quite well. Those articles along with BRIC's "Inside Story" of this event is now available by clicking here. Don't miss any of the action. Be sure to sign up for "Email Alerts" to be informed when new content is published on this website.
Are You Still Wondering What It Is All About? Really?
If it is not about the power and control over your tax dollars, what is it about? How do you explain the desperation that is on display in every mayoral election?
Every four years you permit yourself to be manipulated into handing over your bank account to strangers for a specific length of time, usually for a term of four years. You turn your bank account over to a group of self-serving strangers who talked you into putting a campaign sign on your lawn and whose interest in you ends at the voting booth.
Not only do they have absolute control and authority over your tax dollars, but they can even demand that you pay them more money to support the life styles to which you have allowed them to become accustomed.
What happens when your tax dollars are squandered by politicians? Nothing. You have voted to put the fox in charge of the hen house. You can whine and complain and there is always the next election, but by then you and most everyone else will have forgotten about how they screwed you and you will put another campaign sign on your lawn to keep the peace. Won't you?
And if you are a businessman, you will feel obligated to make a contribution just to be safe. You don't want any trouble. And if you need something, something you should be entitled to without having to ask, you can always remind them that you contributed to their campaign.
The "Perfect Model" Of Corrupt City Government.
The perfect model for the inherently corrupt city government has been with us for decades. As a Mayor-Council form of government, Berwyn is an excellent example. It is designed, maintained and perpetuated by a handful of entrenched politicians who function under various names at various times and are alligned with a national party to some tenuous extent or another.
In Berwyn it has been called the BDO (Berwyn Democratic Organization), DCOB (Democrat Citizens of Berwyn) and other vacuous acronyms designed to suggest legitimacy. The name changes but the faces remain the same.
The traditional earmarks of corruption are not difficult to find or identify. One thing about good old machine politics is that the formula to squander your tax dollars never changes.
Whether it is rewarding jobs, promotions, contracts and favors that are tantamount to political payoffs or using tax payers funds to subsidize their own political careers in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, the fingerprints of inherent political corruption of a politically controlled city are everywhere. The evidence will speak for itself. So, Fasten your seat belts. We are in for a very bumpy ride.
Wake Up! Your Power Scares The Hell Out Of Them.
You Can Change The Face Of Berwyn!
As stated earlier, thousands of municipalities across the country have recognized the same problems within their corrupt politically controlled cities and have succeeded in completely eliminating it from their city governments.
Click Here for a brief but excellent historical account of how Council-Manager Government formed, almost spontaneously, in response to big city political corruption.
How did these cities achieve change and elimate political corruption?
Every four years you permit yourself to be manipulated into handing over your bank account to strangers for a specific length of time, usually for a term of four years. You turn your bank account over to a group of self-serving strangers who talked you into putting a campaign sign on your lawn and whose interest in you ends at the voting booth.
Not only do they have absolute control and authority over your tax dollars, but they can even demand that you pay them more money to support the life styles to which you have allowed them to become accustomed.
What happens when your tax dollars are squandered by politicians? Nothing. You have voted to put the fox in charge of the hen house. You can whine and complain and there is always the next election, but by then you and most everyone else will have forgotten about how they screwed you and you will put another campaign sign on your lawn to keep the peace. Won't you?
And if you are a businessman, you will feel obligated to make a contribution just to be safe. You don't want any trouble. And if you need something, something you should be entitled to without having to ask, you can always remind them that you contributed to their campaign.
The "Perfect Model" Of Corrupt City Government.
The perfect model for the inherently corrupt city government has been with us for decades. As a Mayor-Council form of government, Berwyn is an excellent example. It is designed, maintained and perpetuated by a handful of entrenched politicians who function under various names at various times and are alligned with a national party to some tenuous extent or another.
In Berwyn it has been called the BDO (Berwyn Democratic Organization), DCOB (Democrat Citizens of Berwyn) and other vacuous acronyms designed to suggest legitimacy. The name changes but the faces remain the same.
The traditional earmarks of corruption are not difficult to find or identify. One thing about good old machine politics is that the formula to squander your tax dollars never changes.
Whether it is rewarding jobs, promotions, contracts and favors that are tantamount to political payoffs or using tax payers funds to subsidize their own political careers in subtle and not-so-subtle ways, the fingerprints of inherent political corruption of a politically controlled city are everywhere. The evidence will speak for itself. So, Fasten your seat belts. We are in for a very bumpy ride.
Wake Up! Your Power Scares The Hell Out Of Them.
You Can Change The Face Of Berwyn!
As stated earlier, thousands of municipalities across the country have recognized the same problems within their corrupt politically controlled cities and have succeeded in completely eliminating it from their city governments.
Click Here for a brief but excellent historical account of how Council-Manager Government formed, almost spontaneously, in response to big city political corruption.
How did these cities achieve change and elimate political corruption?
Adopting The Model Of Professional Goverment
The Council-Manager form of government is the highest form of "professional and transparent city manager government" in the world. It strongly modifies and virtually eliminates political control of your tax dollars along with all of the political patronage, political pay-offs and the inherent political corruption Mayor-Council government represents. In any city, the Council-Manager model can be adopted by a simple referendum. The questions on the referendum ballot to achieve this goal are these: #1: "Shall the City of Berwyn adopt the managerial form of municipal government?" #2: "Shall the City of Berwyn, if it adopts the managerial form of municipal government, continue to elect aldermen from wards?" If a majority of votes cast are YES votes, YOU WIN! Let's take a closer look at the outline of a strategy that will help us achieve the same success enjoyed by so many other cities across the United States. |
The Transition To Professional Government As briefly described above, the transition to professional Council-Manager government provides a form of government based on a business model and sound business practices. It is achieved through the referendum process. A referendum is a question which is submitted to the voting public on a ballot. The voter can either vote for or against the proposal. If the proposal passes, it becomes law. To get the question on the ballot, you must secure a specific number of signatures on official referendum petitions. For a more detailed discussion about creating a Berwyn referendum, click here or on "Referendum" in the navigation bar on the left. |
The Smoking Gun
We did not come all this way just to make idle conversation. We happen to have irrefutable evidence that Berwyn is deeply and inherently politically corrupt. As we continue to recite examples of inherent corruption and incompetence on this website over the next several months, there will come a point at which the crescendo reaches a certain plateau. On that plateau I will publish the closing argument and present the final irrefutable piece of evidence that eliminates any doubt (if any reasonable doubt could possibly exist at that time) that Berwyn city government is inherently corrupt. |
The Model Of Professional Government
Possibly the most time efficient way for you to get your arms around the concept of
the Council-Manager form of government is to peruse the "frequently asked questions" section of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) website.
Click Here to see certain excerpts from their FAQ section which will go a long way in providing you a clear understanding of Council-Manager government.
Click Hereto view the entire FAQ section of the ICMA website (and not just the excerpts provided above).
Anyone serious about promoting a transition from an inherently corrupt politically controlled city to one that is controlled by professional transparent city management will be well served to become familiar with the ICMA's broad and deep resources which provide extensive examples of the successes achieved by cities that have adopted the Council-Manager form of government. Click on "Resources" in the navigation bar on the left for some useful links and information about the ICMA.
What If The "Silent Majority" Stood Up To Politicians
Why do more than half of all registered Berwyn voters choose not to vote at election time? I believe that they feel things are hopeless and they can't make a difference.
When the "silent majority" of Berwyn residents finally stands up to be counted, Berwyn city hall will be hit by a tsunami that dissolves the political machine like an ice cube in a volcano. The day will come when you will look back and wonder how and why you permitted incompetent and corrupt political control of your tax dollars and your city for so long.
Your challenge is to open eyes. The ultimate purpose of this website is to provide information that opens eyes and minds.
Obviously, if we are to succeed, we need a plan and a place to meet. This website will be one of the most important "meeting places".
Your Investment
People complain about businesses and corporations not paying enough in taxes. Remember, the tax paid by businesses and corporations is money paid to them by you. In most instances, they only COLLECT taxes from you and transfer your payments to Federal, State and local Governments. For instance, a portion of the price of a gallon of gas is a tax. Wwhen you purchase a gallon of gas, gas stations COLLECTS that tax. In this regard, businesses serve as government agents who collect your money and transfer it to the government.
No matter what you may have been led to believe, one way or another and in one form or another, either directly or indirectly, ONLY YOU pay taxes.
If you begin to consider your tax payments as a personal investment, you will be more interested in the return on your investment. What are you getting for your tax dollar.
As an investor your tax payments are an involuntary investment in the business of city government and you seek a return in the form of needed city services performed by your employees, the city workers.
Sending You The Bill
Your tax "investment" is paid pursuant to a tax bill which is sent to you by the politicians. Theoretically it is supposed to be a bill for the city services you received but in an inherently corrupt Mayor-Council government, it is also a bill to pay-off political friends and relatives, political patronage, political pay-offs and political corruption on behalf of the political machine.
You did not know you are funding political pay-offs and political patronage? Really?
A $98,000 Example
For instance, if the mayor wants a friend who is a city employee and the husband of an Alderman to receive a pension of $98,000 a year, he and his friends on the city council can arrange that for their friend. All they need to do is raise your taxes, fees and other charges directly or raise your taxes indirectly by requiring the city to borrow more money. They then send you a tax bill which is actually a bill to pay their friend's $98,000 annual pension for the rest of his life.
Pretty slick, huh?
It is probably just a wild and crazy coincidence, but that is pretty much what happened recently. The Mayor (Bob Lovero), Aldermen Michele Skryd, Nona Chapman, Nora Laureto (the wife and mother of Berwyn Firemen) along with 4 of the 5 remaining Aldermen voted to "arrange" such a pension for Michele Skryd's husband. As stated earlier, we will be covering this and many other issues in detail on this website. Don't miss any of the action. Be sure to sign up for "Email Alerts" to be informed with new content is published on this website.
The people you elected in your Mayor-Council form of government make these kinds of spending decisions for you.
The Riddle: Why Do Entrenched Machine Politicians Oppose
Council-Manager Government?
Why do you think machine politicians in an inherently corrupt Mayor-Council government like Berwyn vehimently oppose and fight to the death to prevent a change to Council-Manager and Non-Partisan government?
One of the many advantages to adopting the Council Manager form of government is that it automatically eliminates the machine caliber of politician. They no longer have control over the city bank account, therefore they know longer have the power to make decisions to enrich themselves, their friends and their families with your money. If there is nothing in it for them, they are not interested. In Council-Manager government, there is nothing in it for them and so they vehimently oppose such changes. Riddle Solved!
The Big Question
Why would anyone who cares about the efficient management of their city and their tax dollars, object to adopting the Council-Manager form of government?
Who Is Keeping An Eye On Your "Investment"?
The reason why the Council-Manager form of government has become the most popular form of local government is because the Council-Manager is hired under a set of rules, laws, guidelines and a code of ethcis that require him to function separate from political influence. The professional reputation of a city manager in a Council-Manager government is his only stock and trade and there is enormous pressure on him to perform professionally and ethically every day. Bad conduct can even expose the manager to criminal liability.
Using the story of the fox and the hen house, you can think of the Council-Manager as the man with the rifle standing at the door of the hen house. He is there to protect you from looters.
Are All Council-Managers Perfect?
Will those who have a vested interest in the corrupt political control of city government hurry to point out the handful of instances where a city manager may not have lived up to his or her obligations or may have acted imprudently?
Of course they will. What other tactics do they have at their disposal? They can't win in the arena of ideas. They ALWAYS use nasty tactics to distract your attention from the real issues. Always.
Those instances where a city manager in a Council-Manager form of government did not live up to professional standards have been sparse at best. While the number of corrupt politicians would fill up several prisons the size of Alcatraz, the number of examples of "bad city managers" might fill up a phone booth.
No Need To Wait For A Lengthy Criminal Trial
The Prison Population Of Corrupt Politicians
Resolution of any problem involving a city manager is quick and efficient since a city manager can be removed (resign/fired) and replaced immediately. Where the problem is one involving a corrupt politician, you will have to wait until the next election or for the conclusion of a criminal trial (often an expense paid for by the taxpayer).
Why do more than half of all registered Berwyn voters choose not to vote at election time? I believe that they feel things are hopeless and they can't make a difference.
When the "silent majority" of Berwyn residents finally stands up to be counted, Berwyn city hall will be hit by a tsunami that dissolves the political machine like an ice cube in a volcano. The day will come when you will look back and wonder how and why you permitted incompetent and corrupt political control of your tax dollars and your city for so long.
Your challenge is to open eyes. The ultimate purpose of this website is to provide information that opens eyes and minds.
Obviously, if we are to succeed, we need a plan and a place to meet. This website will be one of the most important "meeting places".
Your Investment
People complain about businesses and corporations not paying enough in taxes. Remember, the tax paid by businesses and corporations is money paid to them by you. In most instances, they only COLLECT taxes from you and transfer your payments to Federal, State and local Governments. For instance, a portion of the price of a gallon of gas is a tax. Wwhen you purchase a gallon of gas, gas stations COLLECTS that tax. In this regard, businesses serve as government agents who collect your money and transfer it to the government.
No matter what you may have been led to believe, one way or another and in one form or another, either directly or indirectly, ONLY YOU pay taxes.
If you begin to consider your tax payments as a personal investment, you will be more interested in the return on your investment. What are you getting for your tax dollar.
As an investor your tax payments are an involuntary investment in the business of city government and you seek a return in the form of needed city services performed by your employees, the city workers.
Sending You The Bill
Your tax "investment" is paid pursuant to a tax bill which is sent to you by the politicians. Theoretically it is supposed to be a bill for the city services you received but in an inherently corrupt Mayor-Council government, it is also a bill to pay-off political friends and relatives, political patronage, political pay-offs and political corruption on behalf of the political machine.
You did not know you are funding political pay-offs and political patronage? Really?
A $98,000 Example
For instance, if the mayor wants a friend who is a city employee and the husband of an Alderman to receive a pension of $98,000 a year, he and his friends on the city council can arrange that for their friend. All they need to do is raise your taxes, fees and other charges directly or raise your taxes indirectly by requiring the city to borrow more money. They then send you a tax bill which is actually a bill to pay their friend's $98,000 annual pension for the rest of his life.
Pretty slick, huh?
It is probably just a wild and crazy coincidence, but that is pretty much what happened recently. The Mayor (Bob Lovero), Aldermen Michele Skryd, Nona Chapman, Nora Laureto (the wife and mother of Berwyn Firemen) along with 4 of the 5 remaining Aldermen voted to "arrange" such a pension for Michele Skryd's husband. As stated earlier, we will be covering this and many other issues in detail on this website. Don't miss any of the action. Be sure to sign up for "Email Alerts" to be informed with new content is published on this website.
The people you elected in your Mayor-Council form of government make these kinds of spending decisions for you.
The Riddle: Why Do Entrenched Machine Politicians Oppose
Council-Manager Government?
Why do you think machine politicians in an inherently corrupt Mayor-Council government like Berwyn vehimently oppose and fight to the death to prevent a change to Council-Manager and Non-Partisan government?
One of the many advantages to adopting the Council Manager form of government is that it automatically eliminates the machine caliber of politician. They no longer have control over the city bank account, therefore they know longer have the power to make decisions to enrich themselves, their friends and their families with your money. If there is nothing in it for them, they are not interested. In Council-Manager government, there is nothing in it for them and so they vehimently oppose such changes. Riddle Solved!
The Big Question
Why would anyone who cares about the efficient management of their city and their tax dollars, object to adopting the Council-Manager form of government?
Who Is Keeping An Eye On Your "Investment"?
The reason why the Council-Manager form of government has become the most popular form of local government is because the Council-Manager is hired under a set of rules, laws, guidelines and a code of ethcis that require him to function separate from political influence. The professional reputation of a city manager in a Council-Manager government is his only stock and trade and there is enormous pressure on him to perform professionally and ethically every day. Bad conduct can even expose the manager to criminal liability.
Using the story of the fox and the hen house, you can think of the Council-Manager as the man with the rifle standing at the door of the hen house. He is there to protect you from looters.
Are All Council-Managers Perfect?
Will those who have a vested interest in the corrupt political control of city government hurry to point out the handful of instances where a city manager may not have lived up to his or her obligations or may have acted imprudently?
Of course they will. What other tactics do they have at their disposal? They can't win in the arena of ideas. They ALWAYS use nasty tactics to distract your attention from the real issues. Always.
Those instances where a city manager in a Council-Manager form of government did not live up to professional standards have been sparse at best. While the number of corrupt politicians would fill up several prisons the size of Alcatraz, the number of examples of "bad city managers" might fill up a phone booth.
No Need To Wait For A Lengthy Criminal Trial
The Prison Population Of Corrupt Politicians
Resolution of any problem involving a city manager is quick and efficient since a city manager can be removed (resign/fired) and replaced immediately. Where the problem is one involving a corrupt politician, you will have to wait until the next election or for the conclusion of a criminal trial (often an expense paid for by the taxpayer).
Click Below To Download A Partial List of the Cities That Have Adopted The Independent Manger Form Of government. The List Was Provided By The ICMA.
| independent_manager_cities.pdf |
Success Is Not Achieved Over-Night
Our goal will not be achieved over-night. It requires a careful, steady, well planned and deliberate grass roots effort. Your journey can begin by getting involved with BRIC. We are ready to work with you. Changing hearts and minds is a long term commitment. Success means a permanent transition to enlightened government.
Our goal will not be achieved over-night. It requires a careful, steady, well planned and deliberate grass roots effort. Your journey can begin by getting involved with BRIC. We are ready to work with you. Changing hearts and minds is a long term commitment. Success means a permanent transition to enlightened government.
Consider BRIC Berwyn's WikiLeaks Website
All are welcome to provide this website with information and documentation that shines the light of truth on city government. Our document upload feature is a useful tool for this purpose.
The evidence will be added to this website regularly. Don't miss any of the action. Sign up to receive "Email Alerts" when content has been added.
All are welcome to provide this website with information and documentation that shines the light of truth on city government. Our document upload feature is a useful tool for this purpose.
The evidence will be added to this website regularly. Don't miss any of the action. Sign up to receive "Email Alerts" when content has been added.
A Safe Haven For City Employees And Whistle Blowers
This website is also a safe haven for City Employees to express their grievances and frustrations and provide valuable inside information. Your privacy is important to us. If you have interesting, important or helpful information, you can share that information with confidence in anonymity.
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
Joel Erickson
If you think you can't win, think again! Join us in examining the evidence.
Upload Documents, Files and Photos
See the "Upload File" feature below.
Submit comments, questions, content or correction. Sign up for email alerts.
Our Membership & Email Lists Are Confidential
This website is also a safe haven for City Employees to express their grievances and frustrations and provide valuable inside information. Your privacy is important to us. If you have interesting, important or helpful information, you can share that information with confidence in anonymity.
Good Luck and Best Wishes,
Joel Erickson
If you think you can't win, think again! Join us in examining the evidence.
Upload Documents, Files and Photos
See the "Upload File" feature below.
Submit comments, questions, content or correction. Sign up for email alerts.
Our Membership & Email Lists Are Confidential
