I told you I’d get to the bottom of the last minute Geneva Township Clerk write-in candidate(s) and I have. The problem is, just thinking about the ineptitude that led to this logjam makes my fricken’ head hurt. Though I’m sure you’ll only end up almost as confused as I am, let’s give it a shot.
The last time we talked, I was amused that developer Joe Stanton, the man who would be Geneva kingmaker, had seemingly slated his administrative assistant, Debbie Draus, to run against original clerk write-in candidate Geoffrey Carreiro.
To repeat, the Township folks threw Carreiro off the ballot (no conflict of interest there!) because he ostensibly didn’t get enough valid signatures and because they could. As Trustee Robert Kovacs put it, they wanted to dispense with Democracy and appoint their own clerk anyway!
So Carreiro decided to do the write-in thing and Draus quickly followed suit.
But then, immediately after our last conversation, former Township Highway Commissioner John Carlson suddenly submitted his clerk write-in candidacy too. I found this particularly odd considering three write-in candidates favor Carreiro because Draus and Carlson are very likely to split the insider vote.
So here’s what I think happened.
Given their prior relationship, Stanton is wholeheartedly supporting Mike Abts for Township Highway Commissioner. And this falls right into Pat Jaeger’s Napoleonic wheelhouse because he’d just as soon see highway incumbent Mark Wissing sent packing himself.
You see, folks like Jaeger cant stand the thought of anyone who’s capable of thinking for themselves.
But when Stanton got wind of the Carreiro-Township write-in fracas, he saw it as an opportunity to boost his vast ego and his rapidly flagging local influence by slating his secretary for clerk. So that’s exactly what he did. The problem is, Stanton didn’t talk with the equally egomaniacal Jaeger who’d already conned Carlson into running for that very spot.
So now we’re stuck with three clerk write-in candidates and the fact that any or all of them can withdraw doesn’t really matter. It’s like trying to unring bell. That blank write-in line is on the ballot to stay!
Joe! Give it up! Not only do you actually manage to make Karl Rove look good, but slating your secretary? I really don’t mind your insistence upon resorting to deviousness, but it does bother me when you insult my intelligence in the process. That’s my wife’s job!
As far as Jaeger goes, it’s par for the course. This minuscule township fiefdom is the only thing that gives his miserable life any meaning.
So here’s my thought Genevans! When you find yourself at that April 9 polling place, vote for Wissing and write-in Geoffrey Carreiro. You’ll be glad you did.
Sounds quite petty . . . There are POWER whores in a Teeny, Tiny town like Geneva ? ? ? Go figure . . . .
Jim,
One thing I’ve learned is, the smaller the stakes, the crazier it gets!
Jeff
No town had ever been Played like Stanton plays Geneva.
I need to buy this old gas station to preserve my view
Never mind, I need to tear it down because the Gardener only pays 4.5K per month rent
OK, I won’t tear it down but will need to gut it and turn it into this freaking abortion that is a bank drive-through.
NOW I need to save taxes on this crap-hole because it’s an “Historic shyt-hole”
No wonder Tubby loves this guy.