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Report from the Eastern Bloc

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Altamont Unit 10 will continue its search for a superintendent after “rather excessive” community backlash to the hiring of a former professional wrestler and Jerry Springer guest caused him to withdraw.

David Martin plans to remain in his current position as superintendent at the Tennessee School for the Blind in Nashville, Tennessee. He told the Effingham Daily News that he didn’t want to be a distraction in Altamont.

“The board was very supportive and wanted me to come up and still be the superintendent there,” Martin said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “But after the community responded in the way that it did, I just felt it was important for the community not to be a distraction and do what’s right for them. That’s why I asked them to be released from the contract.”

Martin said he wrestled professionally in Memphis and Nashville from 1996 to 2002, during a time when “The Jerry Springer Show” hired professional wrestlers as guests.

You absolutely must read the rest. Click here right now.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 3:20 am

Comments

Strange story indeed.

Jesse Ventura… Kane (Glen Jacobs) is mayor of Knox County, TN… even Trump is in the WWE hall of fame.

It doesn’t take a genius to see it isn’t the pro-wrestling aspect that turned people off. Would this fall under cancel culture?

Comment by TheUpperRoom Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 4:47 am
A one time Springer guest 20 years ago, a professional wrestler for a period of time 19 - 25 years ago. Or Gay. I wonder, as does he, which drove the good citizen’s backlash.

Comment by midway gardens Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 4:54 am
== Kuhns said the Altamont school board and the Illinois Association of School Boards are limited when it comes to considering a candidate due to liability issues. Kuhns said the board and IASB can’t use information from Google and social media searches to examine the personal background of potential candidates.==

I call BS on that. You absolutely can google your prospective hire, especially for a high level position like superintendent.

Comment by Yeah... Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 5:15 am
Small town didn’t want a gay man there. Pretty obvious. Dear Holy Rollers- there’s only one judge and you ain’t it. While you are busy pointing out others “sins” you can’t see your own.

Comment by TJ Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 5:59 am
Great story. He actually seems qualified for the position and would be good for that community. It is really a shame that his contract was effectively blocked.

Comment by Crash Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 6:31 am
Not sure I would rely on google, Facebook or social media to perform a search. It is certainly a place where folks reveal things about themselves that are not on the “packet” they send. However, fair game to use in the process with the correct lens. Too bad this was the reaction to an obviously qualified and capable candidate. We have a long way to go.

Comment by Elliott Ness Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 6:41 am
This cancel culture needs to be canceled.

Comment by Cancel Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:09 am
So, nothing illegal in his background and worked his way through school. Maybe not the usual way, but legitmate work none the less.
Where’s the backlash?
Certainly can’t be his sexual orientation, can it?

As someone wrote here couple days ago, parts of this state are Alabama, with nasty winters.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:16 am
How do a few comments carry so much weight?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:18 am
Something tells me that even if he could go back and never have wrestled or appeared on Jerry Springer, the outcome here would be exactly the same. Because I’m sure there’s something else in his background that the community found disqualifying. Just a hunch, no idea what it may be, I’m probably wrong.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:25 am
Come on down to Altamont for a gay old time…not.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:38 am
How did Dr. Martin miss the 200 foot tall Cross Road’ s Cross at the intersection of I57 and I70?

Comment by Al Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:40 am
Would the comments to the board from the public be subject to foia? Seems real easy to learn about the actual opposition that way. At the same time, bowing to that sentiment, if it’s homophobic, could maybe open legal jeopardy?

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:42 am
=== How did Dr. Martin miss the 200 foot tall Cross Road’ s Cross at the intersection of I57 and I70?===
How is this relevant?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:59 am
Considering the clowns in politics in that area IL107, clearly the man working in the redneck ballet is not the issue here.

Call these people out as homophobic being a ridiculous reason for not hiring a qualified candidate…

Comment by 618er Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:59 am
The Eastern Bloc: Making the actual South look like a beacon of tolerance.

Comment by Zim Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 7:59 am
Are we sure there isn’t a paid off pornstar in this story somewhere? Or an affair with a paid off playboy playmate? Now that would be a game changer!

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:02 am
He sounds like a really interesting guy and the kids probably would have come to like him. I guess Altamont is going to miss out.

Comment by The Ford Lawyer Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:03 am
That guy almost seems reminiscent of Scott Lee Cohen.

Plus if (heaven forbid) he was sent to Club Fed later than March 2012, I could easily see Rod doing at least one of the two things Mr. Martin did 20 years ago: Go on Springer and/or make at least one WWE appearance as part of his “I’m innocent” traveling circus.

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:24 am
The board and community were well aware of his sexual orientation prior to hiring him.

The Springer stuff was alarming. Compounded by the fact that he had signed an affidavit attesting to the truth of what he said on the Springer show.

He essentially lied on national TV after signing an affidavit to the contrary.

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:25 am
Dear Wolf, if you do not know then I gess you did not attend public schools in Illinois. Lucky clueless you.

Comment by Al Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:31 am
=The Springer stuff was alarming.=

Oh spare me. We’ve shown as a country that our tolerance for outrageous, and even violent, behavior is well beyond what it was 20 years ago. We just excused a President from exciting an angry mob in an attempt to overthrow our constitutional form of government. We’re censuring Republicans who dare to speak out against it. Darren Bailey and other members of the Eastern Bloc are holding Covid denial rallies in Effingham And you’re going to tell me that 20 year old episodes of Jerry Springer are alarming? Even Ron Magers and Carol Marin would laugh at that.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:32 am
=The Springer stuff was alarming. Compounded by the fact that he had signed an affidavit attesting to the truth of what he said on the Springer show.

He essentially lied on national TV after signing an affidavit to the contrary.=

I wonder how much of the stuff that occurs on Jerry Springer is staged and scripted. Like the WWE (all the action based on storylines).

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:33 am
I googled it and I can’t find anything that says Martin signed an affidavit for Springer.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:33 am
Wait…the Jerry Springer show isn’t real? I don’t know how I move forward in life knowing this now.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:38 am
Altamont-

Please, if this alarms you, what are you doing on the internet?

If the board knew about the Springer appearance, yet still hired him, they shouldn’t care less about what happened regarding that appearance.

You trying to tell me the context of what occured on that show led to the “outrage”?

You ain’t that slick, bub.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:39 am
It’s odd how Altamont seems to have a detailed, working knowledge of the Springer show and yet claims to be revolted by it.

Comment by Third Reading Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:42 am
“I googled it and I can’t find anything….”

Well that should settle it then./s/

From my meager google search…..
They had to swear on video that everything they said would be accurate.

From the article on his appearance.
“Then, while the members of the trio waited in different green rooms before the taping—David alone in one, poor unsuspecting Kelly with Brandon in the other—an intern appeared with an attorney and a video camera and read a release form to all three guests. David had to swear on video that everything he said on the air would be true and accurate.

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:47 am
Third Reading - it’s like the school principal who fired the teacher once he found out she had an only fans page

Comment by Confusion Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:47 am
=The Springer stuff was alarming. =

You’re clutching your pearls over what someone did to get through college 20 years ago? Yet your county wasn’t at all alarmed by an apologist for Hitler and a man who brags about grabbing women by the p****.

Pull the other one.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:50 am
An affidavit on the Springer Show is legally binding? Isn’t the Springer Show considered comedy?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:56 am
Last century being gay was entertainment for the masses

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 8:57 am
When taking this in the context of the fact that the people who are outraged about this hiring decision very likely voted for Donald Trump and probably have some scary thoughts about how he was anointed by god to be President, this story takes on a new level.

Believes a twice divorced person who brags about his ability to sexually assault women who has been legitimately accused of multiple sexual assaults while cheating on his wife with a porn star and being known for interrupting children while they’re changing should be president — but this is the outrage?

This kind of thing along with the comments on the Governor’s Facebook live video make me regret humanity’s existence.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:01 am
The Nashville scene story was says Martin swore but it says nothing about an affidavit which is written and under oath.

From Cambridge dictionary: swear: to promise or say firmly that you are telling the truth or that you will do something or behave in a particular way:

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:02 am
Cancel culture and big government socialism in the Eastern Bloc

Comment by Ok Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:04 am
I never thought I’d live to see the day that the authenticity of the Jerry Springer Show would be hashed out on the Cap Fax or that it would be used as hiring criteria for a public official. These continue to be interesting times…

Comment by NoMoreMC Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:08 am
Altamont, if you go to a movie, and in the movie there’s a wedding complete with vows, those people aren’t really married.

Comment by Third Reading Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:09 am
=I call BS on that.=

Yeah, because you are an expert on these type of hires.

=He essentially lied on national TV after signing an affidavit to the contrary.=

What @Pundent said. Trum, Bailey, Miller, and (especially DeVore) lie on TV, in court, and in the legislature on a nearly daily basis. So truthfulness is not valued in so called conservative rural America.

Additionally, Jerry Springer and “Pro Wrestling” are nearly as popular as church down in that part of the country, so your statement and that of the “community” rings pretty hollow.

A little insight as to why the market for administration and upper admin is so thin and why they cost so much. What this poor guy experienced is a walk in the park (I am sure he didn’t think so) compared to what happens in these small towns. Not trying to diminish his experience, but small towns can be vicious especially to outsiders.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:09 am
Oh goodness me, a guy who was paid to act on a lousy daytime infotainment show more than 20 years ago? Spare me–someone objected to the openly gay part. I’ll bet if he stayed in the closet he’d have the job.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:11 am
“if you go to a movie, and in the movie there’s a wedding complete with vows, those people aren’t really married.”

Then why do you think they bothered to get a video affidavit?

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:13 am
=Then why do you think they bothered to get a video affidavit?=

Who cares? It isn’t legally binding.

On another note, when will you demand that Darren Bailey resign for lying? Seems like a bigger deal.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:18 am
=Then why do you think they bothered to get a video affidavit?=

I know a guy that said some pretty crude things on video. Didn’t hurt his standing with the religious right. So maybe drop the sanctimonious attitude and acknowledge what is obvious to the rest of us. This had nothing to do with Jerry Springer. The community doesn’t like the man’s “lifestyle.” But you can be sued for hiring decisions based on that. And there’s no law that prevents you from suing over a dislike of “Jerry Springer.”

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:23 am
This is an area that overwhelming voted for Trump. A paid actor on the Jerry Springer Show disqualifies you from serving as Superintendent, but a paid actor on the Apprentice qualifies you to serve as President. What is illogical to most is totally understandable in the Eastern Bloc.

Comment by what the what Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:25 am
=== Dear Wolf, if you do not know then I gess you did not attend public schools in Illinois. Lucky clueless you.===
Ok aside from an ad hominem attack are you ever going to tell us how it’s relevant or not?

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:25 am
Intolerance and discrimination but with a mask on in 2021. Gross. Hope the new candidate stinks.

Comment by Chambanalyst Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:26 am
- He essentially lied on national TV -

It’s Jerry Springer, not Walter Cronkite.

You rugged individualists must sure live in absolute terror if this is what alarms you.

Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:28 am
===Hope the new candidate stinks.===

The kids of that district deserve (and obviously need) a good hire.

Comment by Interim Retiree Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:36 am
The message from Neil Young’s “Southern Man” seems appropriate here. This is just another form of ugly ethnocentrism in a place where fear of change and closed minds are seen as positive attributes and hypocrisy is lost upon the loudest complainers.

Comment by former southerner Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:38 am
Chambanalyst- they’re against masks in the Bloc.

Comment by The Ford Lawyer Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:38 am
===Then why do you think they bothered to get a video affidavit?===

To give the interns something to do?

Sounds to me like the community made its views on the new Superintendent’s sexuality known. The school board shared that feedback with the new Superintendent, whom they had already hired, and he decided to turn the job down.

It’s telling that Altamont and others keep clutching their pearls and insisting that this appearance on Jerry Springer is somehow the reason the community is so upset.

As Wordslinger used to say, see you folks in church.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:38 am
J.S. Mill,
“Who cares? It isn’t legally binding.”

A video affidavit is not legally binding?

Again, why do you think they bothered to get it then?

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:39 am
As a Southern IL native, when I grew up there wrestling, Jerry Springer, and being gay were prevalent. Two of those three things were popular and accepted in the community.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:40 am
Altamont

Just stop.

Comment by Commisar Gritty Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:42 am
Wasn’t this part of the blackmail plot in Billy Madison? I distinctly feel like Josh Mostel was worried about being fired for his former job as “The Revolting Blob”.

Comment by Just Another Anon Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:46 am
=== =Then why do you think they bothered to get a video affidavit?===
Because it’s part of the shtick of the show, pretending to be real?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:50 am
Altamont:

You keep telling yourself the Springer show was why there was backlash if it makes you feel better. We all know that wasn’t the real reason. That part of the state ain’t well known for tolerance. We’ve seen the character of the people over there during the pandemic.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:50 am
Gritty,
“Just stop”

I’m simply making the point that the individual lied on national TV immediately after offering a video affidavit. At some point, should that be a consideration for employment?

Commenters on this board have suggested that a video affidavit is not legally binding. And I’ve merely asked why they thought Springer secured one then. No ones answered that question.

I’m simply providing perspective that wasn’t in the news article. And there’s lots of speculation about Altamont on this board from people who really don’t know.

The community was aware the candidate was gay before he was hired. That’s not what you’d suspect by reading the comments on here.

I’m simply trying to make sure that we are debating based on facts, not on mere supposition.

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:57 am
From what’s in that article he sounds like a good guy who would have been an excellent hire. The Jerry Springer stuff and the wrestling didn’t hurt anyone. Sounds like he will be better off in a place that appreciates him for his whole self. Altamont’s loss.

Comment by KSDinCU Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 9:58 am
Demoralized,
“We all know that wasn’t the real reason.”

Great. Do tell. I’m friends with administrators and school board members in Altamont. Are they lying to me, or telling you a different story?

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:01 am
=And I’ve merely asked why they thought Springer secured one then.=

So remorseful participants in a staged experience can’t turn around and sue them. There’s your answer.

The pressure brought upon David Martin has nothing to do with a video affidavit. And a “video affidavit” provided to a staged reality show should have no bearing on anyone’s future employment. The suggestion that it does is transparent and laughable.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:03 am
“comments to the board from the public be subject to foia?”

JS Mill can correct me if I’m wrong, candidate interviews are conducted during executive session and not subject to foia.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:03 am
General characterizations of people in Altamont, and this region, as being part of the “Eastern Block” is prejudicial and naive.

If you’ve ever spent time in this region, you’d know that it is filled with kind caring individuals that care about their communities and their neighbors.

Sure, it’s easy to feel good about oneself when you can pontificate about an area with a broad brush. But that doesn’t make it right.

Racism, sexism and all the other “isms” have one thing in common, they all start with a basis of prejudice. So if you feel the need to cast an entire population with one term, or one ideal, know that the seeds of that need to prejudge are the same seeds that bloom in too many other forms of danger to our society.

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:08 am
*Reads article*
*Reads Altamont’s comments*
*Reads article again*
*Reads Altamont’s comments again*

Two things that I think you should be aware of, Altamont.

1.) We’re going to form our own opinions based off of the information provided that are informed by our own knowledge and experience with Effingham County. So, you being pals with administrators and the folks involved with the hiring being aware of the hired candidate’s sexual orientation isn’t going to be helpful. It also opens a can of worms.

2.) Lying on national television is a problem for the good citizens of Altamont? In Effingham County? Which voted 78.78% for Donald Trump in 2020?

Altamont, I am afraid I do not have any kind words to describe how I feel about your position regarding outrage about lying on television being the cause for the kerfuffle from the community.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:14 am
It’s clear he wasn’t educated on the teachings and quotes of Hitler, and as such can’t be placed as a superintendent of our schools. I bet he didn’t go to the rally in DC either. Get someone else! /s

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:18 am
Candy Dogood,
Have you read the Nashville article on his appearance?
Have you watched the video of his appearance?

Again, I’ve asked two simple questions on this board.
Why take a video affidavit, if it has no legal standing?
Where are you gathering your insight from, other than the article? (If you believe the news is always accurate, check out the story of Nick Sandman)

I’m in this community. But so many of the commenters seem to have much closer ties and insight.

Comment by Altamont Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:18 am
Interesting how that Cancel Culture knife can cut both ways. By all accounts I have read so far he was qualified and experienced for this position, except that he had a sexual preference for men, is a former professional wrestler in scripted matches and appeared once on the Jerry Springer show in a scripted segment? And this all happened 20 years ago? And if I am reading between the lines here, those most vocally opposed to this Cancel Culture mentality are busily using it in this case?

Sheesh.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:19 am
===Have you watched the video===

He’s an actor.

Stop hiding behind excuses and own up to what y’all just did.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:26 am
Trying to defend this reaction to the “outrage” of him “lying” on Springer is interesting. I do agree that a FOIA of emails between the school board would be enlightening.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:40 am
I read the Nashville article. It contains this dandy of a quote:

“Given the circumstances, David didn’t take anything they were being told too seriously. “I looked at the intern and attorney videotaping my release statement as being part of the show,” he says. “I thought it was all part of the act.” After all, what was the point of videotaping a release statement about the events of the show being true and accurate if the producers themselves had supplied the story line? Was it a scare tactic to ensure that no one gave away the obvious fact that Springer guests were a bit too dysfunctional and lurid? The whole thing was like a pro wrestling match, with this odd dimension of suspended disbelief.”

So there’s that.

Comment by The Ford Lawyer Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:40 am
@Altamont- Speaking of not answering questions, you never spoke to the lies of Darren Bailey et al. Care to chime in?

@Louis Atsaves- spent a lot of time in that area. The generalizations here on the post are spot on. Unlike what altamont states (without evidence) the documents (memorialized in FOIAble emails) is evidence enough of the community attitudes and biases. Who would have thought the conservative religious crowd was so snowflakey?

@Huh?- you are correct, the interviews take place in executive session and are exempt from FOIA disclosure.

Emails to the Board are probably not exempt or, at most, require names of employees to be redacted.

Either way, such good wholesome people.

Altamont- your naging on an alleged “lie” is beyond pathetic. The video taped statement was not a sworn document of the court and was likely part of his acting, acting of course is PRETENDING. But, I also know leaders of that district (past and present) and I the system is very poor. For a small rural school to have an 83% graduation rate, that is bad. Over half of the students live in poverty and test scores are not very good. I think worrying about a statement made by an actor 20 years ago is the least of what you should be concerned about.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:49 am
Cancel culture isn’t a real thing…even for Gay Wrasslers.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:59 am
“Video affidavit “
There’s no such thing.
An affidavit has to be written and notarized.

Comment by Fly like an eagle Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 10:59 am
So, in a nutshell, Altamont doesn’t want a lying reality show person to be their superintendent, but they vote overwhelmingly to make a lying reality star president of the US. Got it.

Comment by Steve Rogers Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 11:09 am
=candidate interviews are conducted during executive session and not subject to foia.=

Correct.

@Steve Rogers- Oh man, is that ever nailing it for the kindly Altamonters.

Careful- Louis Atsaves will say you are part of the Cancel Culture. Ouch.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 11:22 am
Why take a video affidavit, if it has no legal standing?

Its part of the show?

Comment by Heavy B Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 11:36 am
Long gone are the days of Brummer, Hartke, Grunloh, Bruce and Poshard. Or for that matter, even Eddy, Reis and Righter.

Some good material in Effingham County and other Downstate Illinois areas for a book on why and how the politics changed so dramatically, so fast.

There was a time not long ago where every elected official in Franklin County was a Democrat. Doubt a moderate Republican could win there now.

Wish I could link the 1996 Durbin and 1998 Ryan/Poshard heat maps, next to the 2020 Durbin race and the 2018 Pritzker/Rauner race. “EB” went blue to beet red pretty darn fast.

Good book material IMO.

As a resident of the “EB”, my view is that Rupert Murdoch had the biggest influence of all, and I bet he’s never even heard of Little Egypt, or other rural Downstate Illinois locales.

Comment by BCOSEC Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 11:39 am
===He’s an actor.===

Rich, our friend from the Eastern Bloc probably thinks wrestling is “real” too. I’d be interested in seeing poll results for whether or not professional wrestling is real or Jerry Springer’s show was real/authentic if you have space for an extra question or two the next time you drop a poll. No matter the responses, it’s it’d be fascinating to know — especially in relationship to things like party ID, candidate support, and where they live…

===I’m in this community.===

Altamont, I understand that. Take a step back from your community and consider whether or not the zeal expressed for President Trump perhaps lessen the legitimacy of a “he lied on a television show” out rage.

We all come to our own conclusions. I think your defense is hard for us to swallow. But good luck with your community’s efforts to attract a qualified candidate after y’all have embarrassed yourselves.

Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 11:59 am
“Long gone are the days of Brummer, Hartke, Grunloh, Bruce and Poshard.”

04 was a Turning Pt-Keyes beat Obama bad in Spots

Comment by Red Ketcher Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 12:03 pm
“emails between the school board would be enlightening.”

Could be an open meeting act violation.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 12:04 pm
= Kane (Glen Jacobs) is mayor of Knox County, TN=

Wasn’t Kane and/or the Undertaker from the WWE either originally from or once lived in Illiopolis? Only 25 miles east of the Capitol.

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 12:19 pm
=“Long gone are the days of Brummer, Hartke, Grunloh, Bruce and Poshard.”=

Our state would have been a lot better off economically in the past 22 years had Poshard been elected in ‘98. Even if the major butterfly effect of his election would have been avoiding the Blago nightmare.

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 12:22 pm
=“Long gone are the days of Brummer, Hartke, Grunloh, Bruce and Poshard.”=

Or for that matter, Roland Burris. Wasn’t he originally from Centralia? (Only 50 miles southwest of Altamont).

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 12:26 pm
=Could be an open meeting act violation.=

Maybe. It depends on what they are talking about and if it is between two members or is it more than that. 3 is a majority of a quorum and now you have an official meeting and a violation.

Emails from the public to Board members are not confidential and are definitely subject to FOIA.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 1:33 pm
=”Roland Burris from Centralia”=

Another one from days gone by.

How about another, Paul Simon of Makanda, IL.

What is more likely to occur now, pigs flying or a Democratic US Senator from Illinois who resides South of Carbondale?

Or, for that matter, how many Illinoians under the age of 40 would believe that Ken Gray of the “Ken Gray Expressway” was a 12 term Dem from West Frankfort.

Maybe more than I think would know that.

When it is all said and done, wonder how much help the current “EB” elected officials will be to Downstate compared to some of the names of the past I am throwing around? Jim Edgar like Republicans included?

Comment by BCOSEC Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 1:33 pm
Even the Effingham Daily News editorial board doesn’t seem to buy the wrestling and Springer excuse, and you can hardly accuse them of being a bunch of liberals who don’t know Altamont:

https://www.effinghamdailynews.com/opinion/editorials/our-view-wishing-david-martin-the-best-and-that-some-in-altamont-had-treated-him/article_baab4388-7214-11eb-86ff-9f0d408d0552.html

Comment by Still Waiting Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 2:24 pm
The Republican Party has become a devolved party concerned with blaming… while offering no apparent solution.

Comment by Dotnonymous Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 2:31 pm
==How about another, Paul Simon of Makanda, IL.==

Defintely Sen. Simon.

And don’t forget his daughter Sheila. She sure could rock that banjo.

Also Forby, Phelps, Bradley. Plus the Blago cronies at IDOT who tried to move Traffic Safety to Harrisburg in 2008.

Comment by Essential State Employee Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 3:16 pm
Arguing a video affidavit? Well, I can notarize a document via texting that you can use too. (both mean absolutely nothing if you’re slow on that uptake)

meaningless = meaningless

Comment by Lurker Thursday, Feb 18, 21 @ 3:17 pm