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Shenanigans!

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Illinois

* Kim Shute of Shaw Media…

A Spring Valley mayoral candidate used the public comment portion of Monday’s council meeting to issue attacks at his opponents, ultimately finding himself escorted out by police after several warnings to tone down his rant.

John French told the council he wanted to address the issue of theft in Spring Valley, but indicated it wasn’t theft in general; he’s concerned about the 300 political signs of his he said have been stolen. French said police have been notified but have done nothing to mitigate his losses. […]

“I’m not like any of these aldermen sitting here, I’m going to do something with downtown. I’m the best man that’s ever gonna run this town. I’m not like you Walt, I’m gonna do something. I’m gonna fix the downtown at no charge, at my expense.” […]

French, who interrupted the mayor, several aldermen and his fellow candidates a number of times was escorted out of the meeting by Police Chief Adam Curran after a rant in which he said alderman Ken Bogacz told him the mayor hired people to run against him.

“You ain’t gonna do it buddy, that’s twice you tried. I’m gonna win this election and I’m gonna fix this town.”

You gotta watch the videos. Click here.

* Mr. French shortly before he was escorted out by the police chief on the left…

* Follow-up story by Kim Shute…

“That video makes me look like a clown,” [French] said. “I’m not a bad person.”

French said the night before the meeting, an unnamed man, who he said is an associate of Venegas, threatened he and his wife, ending in a 911 call.

French also said he was not escorted out of the meeting as was reported by Shaw Local News Network Monday night, saying Spring Valley Police Chief Adam Curran left the meeting with him to discuss the investigation into the theft allegations. In a video recorded and shared by Shaw Local News Network, Curran is heard instructing French repeatedly “public comment is over” as he walks behind him to the council chambers’ exit. […]

Curran said he is aware of a disturbance call involving the Frenches and a person unknown to him on Sunday night. He said he discussed with French whether he wanted to pursue charges because “the situation described to him sounded like circumstances that could merit possible charges.”

[Hat tip: Rod Thorson]

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 12:49 pm

Comments

At least he came unarmed, unlike that husband of a candidate in Kankakee.

Comment by EssentialStateEmployeeFromChatham Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:02 pm
=“I’m not a bad person.”=

Probably not, but you are not wearing a mask and you are definitely cuckoo.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:04 pm
So 300 yard signs in a town with 5,000ish people.

That’s an interesting ratio.

== “That video makes me look like a clown,” [French] said. “I’m not a bad person.” ==

Well you can look like a clown and perhaps even be a clown all without being a bad person.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:16 pm
Making Spring Valley Great Again?

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:21 pm
==That video makes me look like a clown==
No, I think being a clown makes on look like a clown.

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:27 pm
“That video makes me look like a clown,”

Can’t argue with him.

Comment by Because I said so.... Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:28 pm
Well, politics can make people crazy.

Comment by Bored Chairman Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:30 pm
He sounds like a very stable, sensible choice in this time of a heightened political climate…not.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:30 pm
===That video makes me look like a clown===

It’s not the video doing that.

However, the city council can not interrupt him and dictate the topic someone discusses during public comment, no matter how uncomfortable it makes them. His comments are just as protected by the same immunity the council members enjoy when they lie through their teeth on the Dias. They should know better, and this guy missed a golden opportunity to take advantage of that.

Nobody comes out of this specific interaction looking very good though.

Comment by TheInvisibleMan Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:31 pm
He definitely appears as a clown…it was the video cameras fault…those crazy cameras.

Q. - If the camera battery dies…would there still be a clown?

A. The… horror.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:33 pm
You can look and present yourself as a clown… and be a good person.

It’s possible.

Doesn’t help on video you look unhinged as a clown, no matter how overall you are.

Thing is… he can look like a clown, but still believe every word he uttered.

That’s the scary part.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:33 pm
This would fit in the WWE, all his little French maniacs are going to run this town, needs to work on ripping shirt off before leaving. Hulkster.

Comment by Gus Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 1:58 pm
It appears that he was interrupting another public commenter and speaking after he had his time.

Comment by eyeball Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 2:14 pm
“I’m gonna fix the downtown at no charge, at my expense.”

Kinda thinking he could do that now.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 2:44 pm
“Does this shirt make me look fat?” — Tommy Boy

Comment by blue line Wednesday, Mar 24, 21 @ 2:50 pm