WHO’S BEHIND IT?
It’s obvious to every Democratic precinct committee member that Bill Houlihan and Mayor Jim Langfelder orchestrated this (“Two Black candidates for city council cite racial bias in removal from ballot,” Jan. 5).
Houlihan’s son, John Houlihan, was running against Jaleesa Davis and they feared it would split the Democratic vote in Ward 7, so of course Davis had to go, even though she’s an actual Ward 7 resident and business owner. The mayor is grooming Lakeisha Purchase for future office, so Calvin Pitts had to go, despite his service to Ward 5.
Using Brown Hay & Stephens, an overly expensive law firm, has the handiwork of Langfelder all over it. Look into Langfelder’s membership in lobbying groups such as the Illinois Municipal League for that connection.
Mary Harris
UNIONS INVOLVED
The attorney from Brown Hay & Stephens, Anthony Schuering, is the attorney for the (Sangamon County) Democratic Party. I agree that Bill Houlihan’s name is all over this, but the other player would be the unions. Who better to gain leverage by removing these two people than Houlihan and the unions?
Mayor Langfelder has tried to help Calvin Pitts with city projects, only to be voted down by the council because of union complaints. It’s all politics and control, that is why Houlihan and the unions removed them. I doubt that Langfelder is part of this.
Chris Long
SUSPICIOUS
It does sound suspect. Apparently 155 signatures on Calvin Pitts’ petitions didn’t match those on file with the circuit clerk, making it to where the number of verifiable signatures were just below the required amount?
Lindsay Anne Spoonmore
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
APPLIES TO EVERYONE
Sorry, but rules apply to everyone, no matter what race. But of course, when you don’t follow them, claim racism to try to get around the rules. Check out the Danville mayoral race, same type of removal there. It happens regularly in local elections.
Gary Nelson
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
FOLLOW RULES
Read rules. Understand rules. Make sure you’re using correct ward maps. Don’t try to cheat. Sounds easy enough to me.
Mauri Dennis
Via Facebook.com/illinoistimes
BIG LIAR
Wow, am I tired of this nonsense. George Santos has lied about every aspect of his life, from his mother’s death to his employment record to his faith, and writers like Scott Reeder drag out LBJ’s tale about his father or Clinton lying about adultery (“When politicians lie,” Jan. 5).
Here’s the thing: You can point out a few specific lies many politicians have made, but Santos has lied about everything. He’s even worse than Blagojevich. But OK, let’s put Santos in Congress and put the onus on every voter to take the time to vet every name on the ballot. Sounds about right.
Barry House
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