Mayor's Row....by Ned Mitchell


We used to play a game in high school physical education class called dodge ball. We also played softball, basketball and a whole lot of other sports. The competition was fierce. How players ended up on a certain team was another whole game of competition. Almost always two captains were chosen by the teacher or coach and those two just happened to be the best athletes in the class. They took turns choosing team members and they went about methodically picking the best players first and the worst players last. Mind you I never had to be concerned about being the team captain because I was far from the best, but I was never picked last either so it put me average at best or in the middle.

I draw that analogy to compare what has just happened in Springfield with our state government. No sooner did the election get over and legislators were salivating at the mouth to increase the minimum wage here in Illinois. I'm not here to argue the good or bad about that legislation but if I had to make a vote I would have voted to increase the minimum wage. I do fail to see the sense of urgency to pass a bill that will not help anyone until next July. What is the rush? After all legislators have 7 months before folks working for minimum wage can see more money in their paycheck.

Could it be that legislators would have trouble facing those on minimum wage while at the same time increasing their own pay? Depending on who you believe elected officials in Illinois will see their pay increased by 10, 12 0r 15 per cent. I could see where that would be difficult to sell and perhaps legislators passed the minimum wage increase in such a hurry to pave the way for their own pay increase the next day. I can see where legislators deserve an increase in pay. They have not had an increase since 2001 and none of us would like to go five years without an increase in our income. We all know that our expenses have gone up in the last five years and it is only fair that our income go up too. The increase in pay is not where I have a problem rather it is the way it was done that concerns me.

First of all state legislators a few years ago passed a law that made it mandatory for local elected officials, mayors, council members, township officials, county board members and just about any local elected official who draws a pay check to only be allowed to increase their pay immediately before they run for election. Legislators reserved the right for themselves to increase their pay and that of judges and other state wide elected officials after they were up for re election. This allows them to vote a pay raise without having to face the scrutiny of the voters. If you are a local elected official you must do that immediately prior to running for re election. Local officials have to sell the pay issue to the voters before they run for office, but legislators reserved the right for themselves to hide that from the voter until the election is over. A tad bit unfair to say the least. I happen to believe that all of us should have to face the pay issue before we run for office and let the voter decide if they think we are earning our money.

Now, where the dodge ball theory comes into play is this. Before the vote was taken last week to raise the pay of certain people I can assure you that heads were counted well in advance of the vote. Teams were chosen so to speak and votes were counted. To be against the pay raise a legislator had to vote yes. To be for the pay raise a legislator had to vote no. Are you beginning to see why we are in trouble in this state? Yes means no in this instance and no means yes, go figure! I have not done the research but I would like to see exactly how many of the votes against the pay raise came from Senators who are up for re election in two years. Another interesting bit of research would be to see how many of those voting for the pay raise are in what are known as "safe seats" that being there is no way the incumbent can be beat short of being a child molester.

My thinking is that until we start seeing state wide elected officials functioning in the same manner as local elected officials or even state employees, nothing will change. We need to have everyone treated in the same manner. I do not doubt for a minute that legislators and others who have not had a pay raise since 2001 deserve more money. A system could easily be set up whereby the same rules apply to everyone. Give everyone the same percentage of pay increase and be done with it, but for goodness sake, be up front and above board in what you do. We are on a terrible path here in Illinois where the gander is doing better than the goose or is it the goose is doing better than the gander? If you can figure out why you would vote yes to be against something and no to be for it, you can also figure out the riddle between the goose and the gander.

Sesser was abuzz with activity Sunday as we had 200 people show up to hear author Gary Moore speak and do a book signing event for his new book "Playing With The Enemy". We had a great crowd at the historic Sesser Opera House and Moore thrilled the audience with reading a few passages of the book that directly relate to Sesser before signing books for those eager to read this great work. The book can still be purchased at any bookstore or on Amazon.com. The Sesser Little League also benefited $5.00 ($750.00 total) for each book sold here in Sesser during the weekend. We will talk in the near future about the movie that is being made on this book and also some special events we have planned to make this a national story. This promises to be fun and we are looking forward to getting started!

A recent shopping trip to a local large chain store in search of Thanksgiving type decorations proved to be a real eye opener for me. I usually decorate the storefront window of my business on Sesser's Main Street in accordance with the time of year or holiday period that we are in. I was somewhat busy or lazy which ever you prefer during the Halloween season and that came and went before I got the window decorated. Not to be caught in that situation for Thanksgiving I struck out on a venture to by decorations for the window. I was shocked when I could find hardly anything related to Thanksgiving. Searching all over on my own several times I finally located a clerk in the store and made my request. She promptly told me that we have skipped over Thanksgiving now and go directly from Halloween to Christmas. I'm a little on the old fashioned side to say the least so while the rest of the world started the Christmas season in October, we here in Sesser will celebrate Thanksgiving this Thursday and then we will get our Christmas decorations out and paint the town after that. We hope that you have a great Thanksgiving Day with friends and family!

Two of Sesser's most fantastic residents have moved and we are sad about it but understanding at the same time. Sadie and Don Lewis have moved north to be near their children and grandchildren. I spoke with Sadie Saturday and while admitting the move would be difficult she felt it was the best thing for her and Don to do. She went on to say that it is nice to be wanted and their children and grandchildren wanted them to be close to them. Yes, Sadie and Don, it is nice to be wanted and we wish you all the very best. We will miss you in Sesser and the things you did to make our little spot in the world a really great place to live. Their new address is 3633 Breakers Drive, Apt. #233, Olympia Fields, Illinois 60461. Drop them a card or note when you have time.

If you need us give us a call at 625-3611 or 625-5322 or write nedmitchell@verizon.net  or www.sesser.org  or P. O Box 277, Sesser, Il 62884.