Word on the Street: Peoria City Council back at full strength

First the good from last week’s Peoria City Council meeting.

The council is up to full strength with the unanimous appointment of Sid Ruckriegel to fill the seat left vacant when Chuck Weaver resigned to enter the state Senate.

A savvy businessman with a history of civic engagement who identifies as Republican, he’s a close fit with many of the qualifications that Weaver brought to the job. On that basis alone, it’s no surprise to see he was picked from the field of four very qualified finalists.

Your shorter columnist first met Ruckriegel years ago during his leadership in the Moss-Bradley Residential Association — itself a very involved and active group, with probably the best pre-election candidate forum in the region. Looking back on his thoughtful, reasoned and balanced approach there, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone to see him on the council.

Of the other finalists who were considered, Zach Oyler deserves a special mention for classy behavior. Though he wasn’t picked, Oyler attended the council meeting for Ruckriegel’s swearing-in. And then rather than heading for the exit the moment the oath was completed, Oyler stuck around for the majority of the meeting.

That demonstrated interest in the issues, and may serve him well with at least one additional vacancy possible in the coming year, possibly more.

Another of the applicants also was in the audience Tuesday, which brings us to the less positive elements.

Rita Ali, a vice president at Illinois Central College, offered her congratulations to Ruckriegel during the public comment portion of the meeting, but chastised the council itself for what she said was a selection process that was “flawed in a number of ways.” Largely her objection was the voting method used during the executive session in which councilors arrived at their selection.

Ali’s respectful but pointed comments didn’t earn her any new friends on the council — again important with potential vacancies in the coming year — and though her focus was on process rather than personalities, the use of a messenger who might be seen as being more bothered because she wasn’t selected didn’t help the message itself hit home.

Questions had previously been raised by At-Large Councilwoman Beth Akeson about the propriety of the process used in executive session, and ultimately city attorneys were asked to verify the legality of some methods with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

From where we sit, both Akeson and Ali were right that there were flaws in the process. Also correct was Fifth District Councilman Casey Johnson, who told the paper that “there’s no good way to determine it.”

A secret ballot method, as considered for the executive session vote, reeks of a lack of confidence among councilors that their votes, even if only unveiled to their council cohort, might be politicized or used against them. We’ve seen that before, to destructive effect, and explains a desire for additional secrecy here that won’t be memorialized soon in a local edition of “Profiles in Courage.”

On the other hand, more open debate, even in executive session, risks hurt feelings among candidates, who are bound to hear what was said and who voted which way. It also lends itself to a protracted process — and filibustering — if mere discussion is used to try to build a consensus. Witness the ad nauseum discussion over multiple meetings about an already-voted-down vehicle sticker proposal in open session to see what the council might do behind closed doors with a candidate that doesn’t have a majority but that some members feel passionately about. It’s easy to see why they might’ve wanted a more streamlined process.

Either way, members of the council had political considerations of their own to make, from partisan allegiance to pledges made privately to interest or issue-oriented groups regarding their support for candidates.

Councilors are elected to make tough — and sometimes unpopular — decisions. But regardless of the method used here, it’s hard to halt politicians from playing politics, much as the world might be a better place if they did. (C.K.)

One more replacement?

Incidentally, this looked as though it might be the final stage of restacking the fallen dominoes caused by the resignation of Aaron Schock from Congress. His seat was won by Darin LaHood, whose state Senate seat was filled by Chuck Weaver, whose council seat is now held by Ruckriegel.

But that creates another potential step, if either his seat on the Historic Preservation Commission or the Peoria Public Library board of trustees needs to be filled. The latter does seem to permit at least one council member to serve, while the HPC makes recommendations the council is tasked with voting upon. Filling either unpaid post would come through mayoral appointment. (C.K.)

Two leaders

Ruckriegel’s appointment also cements the presence of the latest Peoria power couple.

This power couple isn’t quite like the others.

Ruckriegel and Andrew Rand, the Peoria County Board chairman, are longtime partners and West Bluff residents. Unless the sexual preference of public officials has a direct effect on their job, we usually don’t write about it.

Rand and Ruckriegel’s relationship hasn’t been a surprise to anybody who pays attention to local politics, although neither man has broadcasted it. Neither man has shied away from it, either.

That’s laudable.

Nobody should feel they must live in the shadows because of their sexuality. One’s sexual preferences — gay or straight — should not be the leading, defining, prominent aspect of their personalities.

Rand and Ruckriegel have lived their public lives in that fashion, from all accounts. Considering Rand is a Democrat and Ruckriegel is a Republican, their private lives probably are intriguing for reasons other than romance.

If, say, real-estate developer Diane Oberhelman had been appointed to a council seat, we’d be writing about how she and her husband, Caterpillar Inc. CEO Doug Oberhelman, are a powerful tandem in Peoria. We see no reason to treat Rand and Ruckriegel differently.

Neither do they, apparently. Rand has said he’s comfortable with media stating he and Ruckriegel are partners.

To us, it’s no big deal. But it is worth noting. Equal is equal, after all. (N.V.)

Chris Kaergard (C.K.) covers politics and Peoria County government for the Journal Star. He can be reached at 686-3255 or ckaergard@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisKaergard. Nick Vlahos (N.V.) covers Peoria City Hall. He can be reached at 686-3285 or nvlahos@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.

Ballot Box returns

With the window closing Monday night for candidates to file for the March 15, 2016, primary election, the Journal Star will once again begin running its weekly listing of election-related events, both candidate appearances and public fundraisers.

Campaigns with contested primary elections should submit information for Monday publication by noon the Thursday prior.

Notices should include candidates attending and political offices sought, or referendums or ballot initiatives proposed, as well as the time and place of the event.

Email notices to Mickey Wieland at mwieland@pjstar.com. To confirm arrivals, call 686-3246.