Ongoing tensions inside the Thornton City Council led to the cancellation of two conferences with almost an identical agendas this month attributable to a scarcity of quorum.
Trustees Christopher Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle, who’ve change into harsh critics of the Henyard administration within the years since his 2021 appointment, have expressed concern at receiving little to no details about the proposals on the poll, akin to a “100% tax refund for all householders” and bonuses for all metropolis workers. They launched joint statements forward of a gathering scheduled for Nov. 19 and a particular assembly that Henyard referred to as Monday to clarify their absences.
“Unfortunately, the agenda for this assembly was not adequately vetted and contains subjects which will trigger pointless battle moderately than create options,” the assertion learn.
Gonzalez mentioned final week that the lack of knowledge forces him and Carlisle to vote primarily blind on points that might considerably influence residents’ lives.
“The greatest analogy I may consider is that it is like a card sport, which is clearly not how issues must be,” Gonzalez mentioned.
But a significant impediment could also be Henyard’s want to nominate a brand new trustee, probably taking voting energy away from his opponents earlier than the April 2025 election. Agendas at latest conferences included voting on Henyard’s selection to exchange Gerald Jones, who resigned final month.
“Given that she’s pushing ahead, I assume she may get (the votes) both method — that is why she’s so determined to push this assembly ahead,” Gonzalez mentioned on Nov. 19. “We simply wish to have somebody who’s impartial. “
Because the board is lacking a member, the votes have typically been Gonzalez and Carlisle in opposition to Henyard and trustee Darlene Gray Everett. Gonzalez mentioned when he appoints a trustee, City Clerk Loretta Wells will vote and will resolve the result.
Gonzalez mentioned he hopes as a substitute to attend and let the choice relaxation with residents, who might be given the chance to vote immediately for a trustee at a city corridor assembly if they do not make an appointment by Dec. 7.
“Either method, that is going to vary every little thing,” Gonzalez mentioned. “Either (Henyard) goes to get every little thing he needs or we’re going to have somebody who’s going to be extra goal and take a look at these items just a little extra realistically.”
Gonzalez later mentioned that if the brand new trustee votes in opposition to Henyard’s proposals, it can permit the council to deal with paying payments and sustaining necessary metropolis companies till the spring election, throughout which all trustee seats, l The worker and the supervisor will take part within the poll.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
