There is job opening in city hall for Chief of Police. Tracey Steffes has resigned at the insistence of the mayor. It seems the former chief has fallen out of favor with Dick and Scott, probably over family matters which by now are pretty well known around town.
Who will be appointed to fill the position? The disturbing rumor is that the mayor wants to appoint Jeff Paulson. Paulson's credentials for the position range from minimal to questionable. Is this yet another case of punishing your enemies and rewarding your friends and political allies?
86 comments:
Maybe he can hire his bff like Marketti did...rumor has it the new county deputy is one of Marketti's good time drinking buddies!! Talk about disgusting!!
Steffes was offered the choice of resigning or being fired.
It is one scandal after another at city hall.
Will Tracey stay on the force or is he completely gone? What caused this 180 degree turn around so fast?
Be real, if everyone knows what's going on, can't you try to walk a mile in his shoes?? If not try walking a 1/2 mile in the children's shoes. Just drop it!!!!
What's going to happen to his girfriend in the department?
Don't be misled that it was Steffes' idea to resign. Scooter demanded that Dick remove remove him and Dickie obeyed. Steffes was given the choice of resigning or being fired.
Shouldn't the mayor and city attorney resign too, over the fire truck incident?
His poor children, he should of thought of his family when he was screwing around with a patrol officer. pathetic. or better yet his wife. he obviously does not care about breaking up his family for some officer that has done this before rumor has it in a different town.
What's going to happen to his girlfriend????? You think that she's going to want to be with him when he's not in charge anymore? Seems like she goes for the big dogs not patrolman.
Once again, scandal swirls around city hall. It's just like the good old days when Bob Feeney was at the helm.
For those who don't know, Mrs. Tracey Steffes is the sister of Mrs. Scott Belt.
So Mrs. Scott Belt is pissed off at Mr. Tracy Steffes for fooling around on her sister Mrs. Tracy Steffes so Mrs. Tracy Steffes calls her sister Mrs. Scott Belt who then tells her husband Mr. Scott Belt to tell Mr. Mayor Marionette to get rid of Mr. Tracy Steffes? Do I have this right?
Why is it that when something big like this happens in this town it is plastered all over the Morris Herald yet with Tracy no dirt is put out and it is in the top corner of the paper instead of a full article with all the details like Darrell Brown?
5:25, The powers that be had no problem splattering Darrel Brown all over the MDH front page just over allegations.
Also, were there any officers affected by this relationship? I understand she was transferred into investigations last February. Was she qualified? Did she beat out anyone for that position? If she is found to be not qualified for said position can the city remove her without risk of a lawsuit? These are some of the questions that need to be asked.
This is what happens when you plug your family and friends in positions they are not qualified to do. Other cities go through a long process when it comes to hiring senior management.
I hope the mayor learns from this ordeal and takes the right steps to remedy. But I think that’s wishful thinking. The mayor has a serious problem with cronyism. The city has never seen the likes of such irresponsible hiring of friends and family.
Dick and Scott's nepotism have caused a lot of embarrasment for our community. This is just the latest example.
If the mayor hires his third cousins brother inlaw second cousins roommates hot little sisters boyfriend, I bet the next cheif of police will be a lot better. Good luck mayor!!!!
The chief of police job is an $85,000.00 a year job. What a nice little apple to just hand out to a family member or pol buddy.
For those who yak on about cronyism--most of these people are cronies of the last mayor. Here's a little local history for you. There was once a grocery store across from the train depot called P-K Market. P for Peterson, K for Kopczick. Bob Feeney's secretary was Mary Jo Peterson Darin. Yup. Dick's cousin. She quit when Bob lost the election, Dick did NOT fire her. The inner workings of the city have always been a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside and enigma. Bob Feeney's city attorney was his grandfather's business partner's grandson, Frank Black. Old timers will remember Feeney & Black were partners in the liquor business many years ago. Mayor Washburn had a couple of nephews involved in city government--zoning board and alderman. Cronyism has been the name of the game for ever and ever and ever.
So let me get this straight, the former chief of police's wife is a sister to the city attorney's wife, is that how he got the job in the first place? Now again will somebody tell me where the girl that he was linked to in the department is now? Is she still on the force? Gotta love this blog! Too bad there is not more on here!
Personally, I like Steffes. You could reason with him and he wasn't a dickhead control freak like a previous police chief WHO BY THE WAY was also related to city officials and who's kid at the time was mysteriously let off of underage drinking charges and who's other kid was a well known coke whore but amazingly never got busted. As far as what happened with the slutty cop...that's a private matter. If it was such an issue that he was related by marriage to the mayor, then why wasn't that brought up by the town gossips when he was first appointed?
Alicia is still in the department working in her investigative position which she was given from Steffes.
the woman is still on the force.. Nothing has happened to her.
One important fact that most of the public is shielded from (by the local media) is the incredible level of nepotism in government here.
Looks like Sledge scooped the MDH.
Sledge, I think you should use the "ladies man" picture for this post.
this is the craziest website i have ever seen!
Welcome to Morris, the Cicero of Grundy County.
Morris has acquired a reputation for corruption. Unfortunately, it is a well-deserved reputation.
This is so amusing...like Steffes is the only person to screw around on his wife!! How does any of this effect his job??
Now Kopczick has run two qualified men out of the chief's job because of petty politics.
I feel very sorry for his family he chose his actions they did not!!
Does Mr. Yard understand that property taxes collected are what makes up the TIF fund? Where does Mr. Yard think the $3,000,000.00 a year the City of Morris TIF fund comes from? Some Morris residents do not see an actual deduction on their tax bill so think they are immune from this tax. This cannot be further from the truth?
Just because you do not pay a TIF tax directly from your tax bill, all home owners outside the TIF district pay a larger portion of property taxes to all the taxing bodies that people inside the TIF district pay a less amount too. This makes up the difference in taxes that people inside the TIF district pay directly into TIF fund? In other words Jim, TIF is not free money.
The first one needed to go!!!It's to bad for the second one but it wasn't petty politics that forced him out
So obviously he is paying the price is she going to also??? They were both in the wrong??
Hey, but did the city attorney still billed close to $5,000.00 again this week? That is one busy man.
SILLY MAYOR, "TIF ARE FOR KIDS"
WOW, 9:47 not bad.
Hayes wasn't forced out, he retired from the city of Morris. Hayes was a good chief. He wanted change. Hayes will be the new chief in Minooka.
6:38, you are wrong. Hayse was forced out by the mayor and city attorney.
The "No TIF" sign has been stolen from my yard. I guess the mayor's supporters will stoop to the level of theft to advance their cause.
The chief should have been out months ago when he left his family for his female detective. Dickie did the right thing this time. The detective should also be reprimanded for her unethical behavior.
10:02...why should she be gone? So she messed around with her boss, it happens everyday in every city! Hardly a crime...and if they were to fire her because of this, she would be one wealthy woman!! That is a lawsuit the city doesn't want!!
But I do agree, it's very sad for their families!
So that's the thing now? Anyone who makes a choice to quit and move on to something else is 'forced out by the mayor'? So tell us oh great 'insider', why was he 'forced' out? After all, these blogs didn't exist back then so all this garbage wasn't exposed.
Good luck Minooka you'll need it
10:07, according to the report published last year in the MDH, Scott Belt billed the city for $257,000 last fiscal year. At $110 per hour, that works out to 2,336 hours. A typical 40 hour a week year is only 2,000 hours. That works out to 9.75 hours per day for every working day of the year - no lunch and no smoking break either! No wonder Scooter is exhausted! I say the city should write him a check for another $2,000 to he can take a nice trip to Alabama.
To October 9, 9:27 (the know-it-all genealogist) you are wrong. The city attorney under Bob Feeney was Mike Massino, not Frank Black.
The chief has been a total disgrace to himself his family and the entire city. I'm glad the mayor canned him! I hope the new chief can get rid of the female officer who seems to be a cancer in that dept.
The Mayor did the right thing. The chief's behavior was detrimental to the department. This is not a brutal comment, it is not speculation, it is a fact.
You have made and published many exceptionally brutal and personal comments regarding the Mayor and the city attorney and their families. We all know how you feel. If you want this to be a credible blog, give the other side a chance.
Steffes should have resigned. The sob story in the paper and the radio about the resignation is pathetic. The truth not politics shall set you free.
Oh great. Another blog.
http://freespeechmorris.blogspot.com/
Massino was city attorney until he nearly killed himself in a traffic accident after a night of hard partying.
My NO TIFF sign was stolen too. These guys will do anything.
Why won't the Morris Daily Herald report the real reasons behind the chief's departure? Why won't the MDH report the truth about the chief being given the choice of being fired or resigning?
And So here we are again -
Morris ---
"Bulls on parade"
And if you stick around -
I'm sure there will be more to come - -----
SledgeHammer,
You dropped the ball, you can't pick and choose which side you want to be on; if Steffes "crew" deserves the battering of insults ..so be it...you sure give Dicky the hell all the time now let us give Steffes's crew a bit of "advice"!...free speech!
I find this site pathetic! First of all, everyone on here needs to get a life!!! Who are you people??? If you have so much hate for these people and you think you can do a better job, get off of your ASS and do something about it!! Every other week there are city counsil meetings...where the heck are you people??? There has to be a reason why you people have so much hate for these people...is it jelousy...are you guys jelous of these people or is it that you all are lame and have nothing better to do then to get involved and put all of your frustrations on some stupid web site!!! I advise every one on here to take a good hard look at there own lives...I bet that nobody here is perfect. Get a life people..get a hobby...do something...stop bashing people that you all probably do not know!!
Paulson has a degree in law enforcement, he worked in Kane County and in St. Louis County for many years as a police officer. He's qualified. You people act as though the mayor and his "cronies" are going to run this city - this is Morris, a small town, people grow up together, more than half the town is related. It's a good town to grow up and to raise your kids. If you don't like it then move. Plenty of growth in other cities where there is room. C-ya.
Didn't Paulson lose a job as a cop because he slept with one of the prisoners? Great choice for Chief!
Hayse was a tyrant to his officers, Steffes was a great chief who changed the department for the better after Hayse drove it into the ground. Morale had never been better at the police department after Steffes took over, he made a mistake. Are all of you perfect, I think not!!!!!!!
I like the mayor's quote this morning on the radio. Qualifications for chief of police: "must know where to find city hall" and "someone who knows the street names." Looks like you are wrong on this one sledge. Paulson meets all of the mayor's requirements to be chief of police.
I agree the ladies man picture needs to be attached to this blog too. It fit perfect with the Darrell Brown story. One more thing, his girlfriend was promoted this spring? Interesting.
the matter regarding former chief of police and subordinate is only tip of iceberg, I find out tonite. Subordinate has "dealings" with other(s) in dept.
Sledge, some people are starting to realize the gravy train is slowly starting to slip away.
She needs to call the state police to investigate the bullys. That would slow down the little fella.
It is correct that Massino was the city attorney for Feeney. My mother works for Mike and they took care of the city business until your new mayor came in, and changed that all around. Gosh I miss Morris, but don't miss the small town junk.
One officer "who has made it known that he is interested in the position of chief of police" may be involved.
Why did you take the post about Warren off the site? Is this a scandal that scares you? Why are you so afraid of that particular pawn? Is his big boss the one who scares you? That alone explains who has more power than the mayor or city atty, doesn't it. Don't look but your slip is showing.
Why did you take the post about Warren off the site? Is this a scandal that scares you? Why are you so afraid of that particular pawn? Is his big boss the one who scares you? That alone explains who has more power than the mayor or city atty, doesn't it. Don't look but your slip is showing.
Where did it go? Since big city bucks are going to the firm, don't you think the taxpayers should know what is going on? Why has this topic gone grazing with the other sacred cows?
Anonymous said...
Warren - Does it make you feel like a big man when you threaten a woman? Does it make you feel like a big man when you stole the papers from her car? Are you following her? Are you watching her? We know what you have done. We are telling people what you have done and what you said. Go get another drink. You are an embarassment to your firm and to the entire community.
October 12, 2007 7:06 PM
Using TIF for the city hall is dishonest.
steffes lost his integrity his family and his mind. He should have resigned and possibly been fired!! The mayor actually did him a favor keeping him on the force.
The mayor wants to derail the boundary line agreement with Channahon. He will do anything to stall, delay and disrupt. The mayor is allowing his petty politics to get in the way of what is best for the city.
The mayor is NOT trying to derail the boundary agreement. There is a lot more to it than is told in the paper. Why didn't Mayor Bob stop Channahon from coming into Grundy County in the first place? Minooka is in Grundy & Will. Channahon was only in Will. Who was asleep at the wheel when the Welcome to Channahon sign went up just outside town? Why weren't the citizens paying attention and asking questions back then? I don't see any reports of citizens going to city council meetings and asking hard questions, do you? If so, post the link in here so we can all go over and take a look.
And why on earth would the mayor want to "derail" the boundary line agreement with Channahon? Could it be that his friend Warren Olson has buddies that own land at the 47-I80 intersection that they want developed?
And that they see the Brisbin Road-I80 interchange as scary competition for their own plans?
Getting 2 corners of Brisbin would be great for Morris, but not so great for some of Olson's buddies.
Shady politics run deep in our town.
District 54 and District 101 must oppose the proposed extension of the Morris TIF. The TIF has already diverted millions of dollars from schools, contributing to skyrocketing tax bills for Morris residents. The Morris TIF will end in 2009 and tax bills will decline, unless the taxing bodies agree to an extension.
The city of Morris has proven that it cannot be trusted to use TIF money properly.
YOu guys must have gotten to Scott Belt.......He only made 187,000 this year...maybe the kickbacks to Dickie got less too.
I hear Scooter's billings are down this year. We are going to organize a bake sale benefit for him.
Isn't it a shame that Steffes was thinking with his other brain. Guys, that will get you in trouble all the time.
Don't you know you can't poop where you work?
When and by whom has an extension of the TIF been proposed?
To Oct 9, 9:27 p.m. - Last time I checked the Peterson family tree, Dick Kopczick was not on it (distant by marriage - aunt married an uncle)- who said Dick fired her - she did quit on her own accord for her own reasons - and they could fill a blog of their own...
The first new candidate that Dick had his eye on didn't fare so well on backgound investigations. Now he's considering having a happy hour of open applications (NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY) at the airport restaurant. FREE hobo skillets just for coming in to see him. Bring your resumes and a case of beer, optional 750ml bottles of top shelf vodka will also be accepted. Look for the red flashing light or call ahead. Drug dogs not welcome. EOE
11:20 I think you hit the nail on the head.
Hmmm...no comments on the new chief??
Post a Comment