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Friday, April 22, 2016

(Board of Ed) Wily Wilma wigging out?


Is wily Wilma wigging out over losing her Board seat?

Is outgoing
Plainfield Board of Education president Wilma Campbell wigging out over losing her seat on the board?

The rumor making the rounds on Thursday is that wily Wilma is twisting arms of various board members to get one to resign so that she can be appointed by the lame duck board to the "vacancy" before the newly elected board members are sworn in on May 3.

This would echo in a way the games played on the Elizabeth Board of Ed when a member was defeated. The tactic did not turn out well for them.

Funny thing is, at the Anderson-Hurtt-Pile victory celebration on Tuesday evening, someone turned to me and said, "Don't be surprised if so-and-so resigns." I thought the idea strange and the person named unlikely, but I can be soooo naive at times.

I think the scheme unlikely on two counts --

  • First, Wilma would also have to resign in order to be eligible to be appointed to any vacancy, something I cannot see her doing; and

  • Second, there would be blood in the streets if the Board were to try a fast one like when they appointed Wilma's husband John to the Board without the public being able to weigh in.

Nevertheless, the incoming Board members and their allies on the current Board should be prepared to resist taking any action at the last, lame duck Board meeting on April 26.

The Board should also show some gumption and ethical spine by refusing to take care of any but routine business -- primarily the paying of bills.

There should be no contracts, no settlements, no hires, no fires, no forward-looking financial commitments. And especially, no walk-ons. All these matters should await the new Board's action after May 3.

As Jerry Green likes to say, "Am I right or am I wrong?"

The final business meeting of the lame duck Board, with Wilma presiding (if she doesn't resign first) is next Tuesday, April 26, 8:00 PM in the Plainfield High School Auditorium.

Mark your calendars.


  -- Dan Damon [follow]


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