Cahokia mayor will try to oust trustee for absences due to aneurysm

Cahokia mayor will try to oust trustee for absences due to aneurysm
Has not attended Cahokia meetings after aneurysm
BY BETH HUNDSDORFER AND GEORGE PAWLACZYK

Belleville News-Democrat - April 29, 2009

Cahokia Village Trustee Sheyla Ware suffered an aneurysm that threatened her life a few months ago. Today, she's facing a battle for her political life.

Mayor Frank Bergman said he will hold a special board of trustees meeting this morning to vacate Ware's seat and appoint her replacement -- the day after Ware's release Tuesday from a rehabilitation hospital.

"I haven't made up my mind yet," Bergman said about Ware's replacement. "I want someone with similar qualities and characteristics, and it should be a woman."

Bergman said he supports Ware but wants her replaced because he said she has missed four consecutive village board meetings, which are held every two weeks. He said the people of her district, "Deserve to be represented. I haven't talked to her in more than two months."

As for criticism that he simply wants to replace Ware with his own trustee choice who might be more likely to vote with him, Bergman said, "This is solely for the people of the Village of Cahokia."

Under Illinois law, a vacancy can be declared only because of "resignation, failure to elect or qualify ... death, permanent physical or mental disability rendering the person incapable of performing the duties of his or her office." Ware was elected in 2007 to a four-year term and was a member of Bergman's ticket.

"There is no reason for her to be thrown off the Cahokia Village Board," said County Clerk Bob Delaney, who oversees county elections. "That's just despicable what he's trying to do."

Attorney Carmen Durso, who represents Ware, said his client is not permanently disabled and was resting at home after her release from a hospital. Ware could not be reached for comment.

According to the Illinois Municipal Handbook: "If a serious question exists as to whether a vacancy has occurred, it is probably money well spent to have a court decide the issue in a declaratory judgment."

Three incumbent village trustees lost their seats in the April election. Challenger Phyllis Pearson beat Gloria McCoy by one vote. Kyle Johnson beat Robert Eden, and Trevon Tompkin defeated Dennis Phillips. All three newcomers were scheduled to join the board May 5 but will attempt to take their seats today at the special meeting, Johnson said.

Johnson said the mayor's attempt to remove Ware is a "power play to keep the village board in his back pocket."

"If Bergman told (the former board members), 'Let's sell this city down the drain,' they would do it ... That's why they were unseated," Johnson said. "This is Bergman at the lowest point of his administration. He's trying to unseat her (Ware) when she's taken ill."

"I feel that he should not fill that vacancy because it's not vacant. She's still alive and capable of doing the job," said Pearson, Johnson's fellow newly elected trustee.

Trustees received notice Monday of the unusually scheduled morning meeting, said trustee JoAnn Malone, who said she will take off work to attend and will vote against vacating Ware's seat.

"Sheyla's been in the hospital. She can't help it," Malone said. "It's not like she's just not showing up. She has a medical condition."

Bergman didn't know Ware suffered an aneurysm, he said, but remained adamant about her removal.

"My thoughts and prayers go out every day for her," Bergman said. "Also, there are still 1,500 people in the city that have to be represented in her district. My concern is the representation of that."