Picture the commissioners’ boardroom jam-packed, wall-to-wall with local residents, elected officials, a fair contingent of county staff, and a few galvanized folks from the fringes. All mobilized to assess the Cook County Administrator’s performance after nearly four years in the position.
The room is abuzz with an undercurrent of rather animated conversations, up until the point a moderator steps up to a microphone and gently taps it (thump, thump) to be sure it’s working. Assured that it is, the moderator begins with a standard welcome and then proceeds to layout the evening’s agenda and predictable ground rules.
“We’ve provided this opportunity, for those in attendance this evening, to indicate by show of hands, your opinion as it relates to Cook County’s present administrator; a position originally created back in 2014. Mr. Cadwell is the second individual to assume the duties of this position.
“To be sure every hand is accounted for, we’ve located spotters throughout the room. We ask that you hold your hand up high until these volunteers have had a chance to compile the numbers.
“Are there any questions before we get started?
“Hearing none, let’s begin.
“Will all those who believe Mr. Cadwell’s personal effectiveness skills have made the achievement of county goals easier and less costly, please raise your hand.” (Moderator pauses to allow for the counting of hands …)
Not sure everyone heard the question, the moderator asks, “Can everyone hear me in the back?”
“Yes,” blurts a man built like a bulldog: broad across the shoulders and chest, short neck, with a stern expression.
“Does everyone understand the question?” continues the moderator.
“Yes,” several people in the crowd respond in synchronized fashion.
“Well, I will ask one more time just to be sure. If you agree with the statement, please raise your hand.”
The moderator restates the question then pauses.
“…Hmmm …Okay. Thank you. Let’s go on to the next question…
“Along the same lines, will all those who believe the county administrator has saved our county significant tax dollars, please raise your hand.” (Moderator momentarily scans the crowd, then presses on…)
“Will all those who believe the county administrator has helped to eliminate the need for the use of outside consultants for work we should be able to handle internally, please raise your hand.
“Interesting,” the moderator quietly mutters to himself under his breath.
“Will all those who believe, since coming onboard, the county administrator has cultivated supportive and meaningful relationships with county employees and the community as a whole, please raise your hand.”
(The moderator continues with a number of similar questions and eventually arrives at the last question.)
“And lastly, in your opinion, do you agree with County Administrator Cadwell’s recent statement, ‘I’m not responsible for any of this!’?
“Okay thank you…
“That concludes this evening’s public assessment of the county’s administrator. I would like to thank all of you for taking time out of your busy schedules to register your opinions in hopes of making Cook County a better place to live.
“I would also like to thank Mr. Cadwell for his solitary hand …and, oh yes, I’d be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge, those of you— and we see who you are—who propped Mr. Cadwell’s arm up throughout these entire proceedings.”
“The only exact testimony of a man is his actions, leaving the reader to pronounce on them his own judgment.”
~Thomas Jefferson
Former Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble is writing this ongoing column about the various ways government works, as well as other topics. At times the column is editorial in nature.
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