Response to Chicago Tribune Editorial
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This past Monday, the Chicago Tribune ran an editorial on Evanston’s tortured search for a City Manager, not so subtlety implying that our hard headed insistence on a manager with integrity and a commitment to racial justice and responsive governance had created an imsurmountable standard. While we appreciate the Tribune's interest, we must remind the public of a few significant facts that were omitted.
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The Community Alliance for Better Government formed in December 2019 after interim City Manager Erica Storlie fired Kevin Brown, a legendary voice for Evanston's Black and Brown youth, on an extremely flimsy pretext.
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CABG, along with numerous Evanstonians, protested when then Mayor Steve Hagerty attempted to hire Storlie permanently, without an open search. When the Council picked Storlie over two highly qualified finalists preferred by the public, Council Member Tom Suffredin pointed out that the choice was “based on personal relationships with Erika and not enough on what residents need or the more substantial credentials of other candidates." Suffredin and Cicely Fleming were the only 2 council members who refused to vote for Storlie.
Storlie resigned in disgrace several months later for her negligence in managing the lakefront sexual abuse scandal.
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During the last search, CABG endorsed Snapper Poche, the candidate ranked most highly in public surveys. However, eight out of nine council members voted to approve John Fournier, who had enforced blatantly racist hiring policies in his previous position. Yes, Fournier was “exonerated” from legal wrongdoing, but the investigation confirmed that his policies discriminated against minority applicants. We hold our city manager to a higher standard than “not technically breaking the law”.
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Nonetheless, CABG accepted the Council’s decision and had just invited him to meet with us to discuss his vision for Evanston when he withdrew. Ultimately, Fournier’s conduct during contract negotiations led Mayor Biss to admit that “ this behavior does make me think we dodged a bullet.” If CABG frightened Fournier away, Mayor Biss should be grateful.
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The Tribune implies that our demand for a meaningful public process is to blame for the stalemate. Yet it was ignoring public input that led to hiring Storlie and to the Fournier debacle. If the council had followed our recommendations, we would not be in this position. An open process only makes it more difficult for the wrong type of candidate.
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The Council has just announced its latest choice for City Manager, Carol Mitten. Assuming she reflects a true commitment to antiracism, and to transparent and responsive governance, CABG will be fully behind this choice. However, we will not allow a false sense of urgency to trap us with a City Manager who echoes the bullying, racially discriminatory and deceptive policies of past Evanston leaders. We have an excellent new interim leader in Luke Stowe; we would do better to allow Mr. Stowe to guide the city while the council assesses its mistakes and crafts a new strategy, than to plow blindly ahead with a second Wally Bobkiewicz.
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The City Manager is the most important, influential position in Evanston. It requires an exceptional leader, one with extraordinary management skills, but who also values and welcomes public input and has a strong commitment to implementing equity, inclusion, and accessibility city wide. Both are indispensable, and we will not settle for less.