Alderman Mike Shields and Mayor John Dickert had a word battle over the process used to hire Mark Eickhorst, a radio host and former Racine alderman, who became the city's new public information officer.
Eickhorst will work for the city through a $25,000 contract with Racine Area Manufacturers and Commerce. The contract would run from Feb. 1 to Dec. 31.
As PIO for the city, Eickhorst will write press releases and market Racine to media within 100 miles of the city.
During a verbal exchange with Mayor John Dickert, Shields said he wanted to make sure the entire hiring process was open to the public.
Bloggers have suggested that the Eickhorst appointment was a political favor by Dickert for Eickorst's radio support during the mayoral race. (return to home page)
26 comments:
This position should have been advertised. You just don't give it an insider, tax evador.
Disgusting, how can Dickert defend his actions?
How childish. I'm going to bang as loud as I can to prevent you from questioning my decision.
Shut up you stupid Blackman. How dare you question the authority of the Grand Wizard. I can hire who I want ,when I want, where I want. This is my city, and I can do as I feel and you just have to deal with it.
DICKERT HAS GOT TO GO!
ALL THE MAN WANTED WAS TO ASK A LEGIT QUESTION!
I was at this meeting and watched it live. Shields did not want to ask a question. He asked a question of the city manager, interrupted him while the man was answering. Then when the mayor wanted to talk, Shields interrupted him too. The gavel was too much, but Shields was being rude.
I suggest everyone watch this debacle on ch.25, i just watched it this morning and was appauled at the mayor's pompus actions. Sheilds just was asking a question the mayor did not want to answer! This Dickert guy is a fool and should be removed!
What does this say about our city when someone who doesnt even pay taxes is hired to represent the city? I find it stunning all the alderman would approve this!
I saw one of his fliers used to get people to advertise on his WRJN radio show, there was a spelling error on it. He is not the polished pr type.
3:06 - you are definitely correct - Mark doea not know what polished is except maybe the stuff you put on your shoes.
I find it so interesting to see Obama and Martin Luther King's faces on the same picture. Hasn't anyone put together yet that King was a Republican?
The Mayor presides over the meeting and is in charge of keeping the meeting orderly. Period!
Out of order your gunna get gaveled! Ya got it?
If Dickert continues this type of leadership -- He'll be a shoe-in come election day.
Racine needs a strong Mayor and it looks like it has one now.
Behind this Mayor 100%
Haha...what a joke dude, No bid contracts so jobs can be givin to personal friends? No one argues with me or disagrees with me or else? You've got to be kidding me! After all this city has been through we need someone that listens to the public and works well together with others. This guy is a failure and embarressing to us all!
We need someone to run for this office.
I don't think I've ever said this before, and probably never will again, but... I agree with Shields!
I wonder will Dickert senor CAR25 tape or will the Mayor ask Eckhorst to clean up his mess.
Joseph Goebbels would be proud.
You'd think the aldermen would have learned something after the Becker mess. Prior to that they supported and backed Becker without question. Especially aldermen like Helding who seemed to have almost a blind loyalty towards Becker.
When are the aldermen going to wake up? You are supposed to learn from your mistakes, not keep repeating them!
I like Ike, but something smells fishy about the way this thing was handled.
Helding crys on his Facebook account when blogers do not like what he does. Interesting the man who wants to be Mayor might run for Mason's office whines on Facebook. That what we want from our leaders
Kenosha had a contract with Racine to house juvenile prisoners in Racine. That contract required Kenosha to pay for 18 beds, whether they were used or not. Kenosha wanted to negotiate for actual use only, but Racine refused. Kenosha will now use Washington county facilities, leaving Racine without the revenue and jobs.
WAKE UP EVERYONE! Since Dickert has been in office Racine's unemployemnt has gone UP from 10 perocent to 15.2 percent. Those are the facts! Dickert is a failure and is ruining our city! Excuses are a dime a dozen but those are just the facts! He needs to resign himeslf now and save this city the embarressment!
Wanted: PR/Marketing individual to put a positive spin on the City of Racine and cover Dickert's ass. Qualifications - none other than looking for a tax evader. No references or previous experience required - since we've already selected a convict for the position.
"Johnnie Boy", me again great way of taking care of those that helped you get elected. Keep up the great work the more shifty sh$t you do the easier it will be to dethrone you. You are truely worthless!
I think the mayor violated municipal codes with his tantrum. Who would be able to verify this?
Chapter 2
Under DIVISION 5. RULES OF PROCEDURE
Sec. 2-115. Interruption of speaker.
When any member of the common council is speaking, no member shall entertain any private discourse or in any way interrupt the speaker, except as to a question of order.
(Code 1973, § 2.06.100)
Does his gavel banging and not allowing Aldermen Mike Shields to speak violate this?
Dickert I hope you enjoy your time in the Mayor's office because you won't get re-elected. Also every alderman that voted in favor of hiring Mark should be forced out of their seat as well. It's time citizens of Racine demand accountability.
Alderman Shields keep fighting for what is right and the good of this city even if it means you must stand alone. You fought Becker hard and most of the time had no other aldermen with you. At least you can go to sleep at night knowing you don't wear the title of a "yes man." You aren't bowing down saying "Yes sir Mr. Mayor, anything you do be it right or wrong you've got my support Mr. Mayor, yes sir."
Thanks Mike Shields.....Thanks for standing up and asking the questions! This administration thinks we are stupid and acts as if we the citizens don't matter! Dickert and his friends need to go, this is not the leadership we deserve!
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
This has been a though that I have lived my entire life by. Thank you for stand up for right.
You know who I am.
Post a Comment