May 16, 2008
Hoffman Estates Officer Snubs Stroger
There's no shortage of disrespect towards Todd Stroger in Cook County these days. His nickname's "The Toddler," he's derided in bars and coffee shops around Chicago, and set up to be politically ambushed at a town hall-style meeting in Palatine, many county residents have no love the Cook County Board President. But one county resident took it a step further Tuesday.
Hoffman Estates police officer Vince Pusateri publicly snubbed Stroger at a bioterrorism drill held at the Sears Centre, refusing to shake Strogers hand, and telling him he's "not happy with the way you run the county." Pusateri's reaction to Stroger has been popular with commenters on the Daily Herald's website, but Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod doesn't think it's cute. "I don't care if people love what he said. What he said was totally inappropriate," told the Daily Herald. "It reflects poorly on me, too." Noting that the county was paying officers for their time that day, McLeod added "It was boorish, it was inappropriate and it was regrettable." McLeod added that he wasn't sure if the village would take action against Pusateri, but that said that when acting in an official capacity, such an opinionated expression is unprofessional. "Stroger was very gracious about it, but that's just not how you do business," he said.
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So what if this officer was on the clock. He's entitled to his opinion, and he let Toddler know what that was. Sure, it's in poor taste. And, yes, it might have been a bit rude, since this officer does serve the public, government official or not. But, to take action against him? Puh-leese. Not gonna change his opinion a bit. If anything, it might incite the residents of Hoffman Estates to join Palatine in their secession attempt.
Come on Frp.... what if a CPD member had done that to Daley?
I'm still just totally amazed Stroger got elected in the first place. Those of us that didn't vote for him should all be able to secede and form our own county.
Stroger is in office because, in a general election, too many Democrat voters will vote for ANYONE, no matter how unethical or incompetent, who is also a Democrat.
Sure, Stroger had the African-American vote sewed up. But he also got the non-African-American vote.
Democrats wouldn't vote for Peraica. Now those same Democrats are paying higher taxes to fund incompetence, cronyism, nepotism, and out-of-control spending. And businesses continue to leave Cook County.
Spook, stroger isnt the mayor of hoffman estates.
mayor Mcleod acting as mayor doesnt want the officer to offer his opinion but the mayor has no problem offering his own. mayor mcleod as all to often with elected officals is ignorant to the fact that tax money comes from taxpayers and stroger didnt pay for a damn thing the taxpayers paid.
I'm a Democrat who voted for Peraica. I instantly regretted it when he did that presumably (hopefully?) drunken rage-march to the Board of Elections that night, with cameras in tow. There's no way things would be better if that guy was in charge.
ward up, stroger was elected because of his name and backing of daley. it didn't make a difference if he were republican or democrat. also, clarence is right. peraica's no better
Pusateri for president!
If Pusateri was on the clock, he might not be allowed to express his opinions. Depends on the Village policies. Just like you can't spend your day blogging on Chicagoist while at your job. (lol)
FWIW, I am a Democrat, I hate Stroger and I voted for Peraica. As a wise friend of mine said, who gives a crap if your County President is a Democrat, Republican or Communist ... they're not voting on gay marriage, they are voting on how you're taxed.
Good points, chicagodom. Our county board president choice is not the place to make a choice on abortion access or gay marriage issues.
I am a Republican who is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage. Thus, I directly disagree with Peraica on those issues.
But I realize that Peraica would have almost no impact on those issues. Those issues are decided in state legislatures, in Congress and in the courts. There's just not much damage Peraica could do in that area.
Let's not make Peraica into a hero here. He did act like a nut on election night, and I can't believe that he would be acting more professionally now had he won.
Toddler clearly sucks, but Peraica is not the answer either.