Story posted Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Casino Ethics Must Sparkle
Off The Record | By TODD WESSELL
The ugly exchange Monday night between Des Plaines City Council members Mark Walsten (6th) and Dan Wilson (7th) can't help but give credibility to the cry for tighter restrictions governing ethical behavior of city-connected individuals seeking and obtaining employment at the new casino.
Walsten, still smarting from comments made by Wilson two weeks ago, lashed out at the 7th ward alderman early on during Monday's meeting in city hall. Walsten's anger spilled over later in the meeting where he went after Wilson again.
Walsten's approach stemmed from city council's Feb. 16 session where Wilson claimed that a member of city council---Walsten---was involved in heavily promoting the use of the environmentally-friendly Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) process. Thirteen days later---this Monday night---Walsten felt it was time to have his say by opening up and saying that while Wilson was off teaching high school math years ago, he was in the trenches of the world of business.
How does all of this involve the planned new Des Plaines casino?
For the last few weeks, aldermen have been wrestling with the prospect of the new 140,000 sq. ft. casino building becoming a "green" environment-friendly structure. For a while, that possibility was on a positive track with casino owners, Midwest Gaming and Entertainment, LLC, proclaiming their willingness to move in that direction, and the city saying let's solidify the plan by putting it in writing. Two weeks ago, however, everything changed when Midwest told the city that it cannot secure financing if the casino's opening is dependent on gaining green—or LEED---certification. To obtain such certification, Midwest would have to meet specific, expensive environmental standards that could take up to two years to garner. Banks, in general, don't like such a noose around their neck. With that said, the city agreed Monday night to relax its green requirement by accepting language that "reasonable" measures will be taken by Midwest to make the casino environment-friendly.
At Monday night's meeting, Ald. Walsten—not forgetting comments Wilson made two weeks earlier struck. He said he took great offense to Wilson's comments that something funny was going on involving Walsten's unusually strong support of LEED's. Said Walsten, "Ald. Wilson needs a lesson on Freedom of Speech," adding that he will continue to speak on behalf of matters, such as LEED's if that's what he think is right. At the same time, Walsten expressed his belief that the city does not need a new ethics ordinance pertaining to the new casino as many aldermen had expressed support for several months ago. Later, Walsten said the idea for such ethics legislation came from the city staff, not aldermen.
"Who does the city feel it is by telling city employees that they can't have a job at the casino?" asked Walsten. The possible ethics ordinance would have placed tight restrictions on city employees and relatives of elected officials from working at the casino. Added Walsten, "We should get over the vote on the city manager and work as a team." This comment was in reference to Wilson's and two other aldermens' support of former city manager Jason Bajor who recently left city employment.
Near the end of Monday's meeting, Walsten again went after Wilson accusing him of suggesting that he is somehow personally benefiting by his support for LEED's. At that point, Wilson fired off several questions at Walsten asking whether he is involved in LEEDs. Walsten denied any involvement. After Monday's meeting, a chagrined Walsten said he does not appreciate his integrity being questioned and added that he does not believe the city has any right to ban city employees or relatives of aldermen from holding jobs at the casino. When asked by this reporter if that includes allowing city building inspectors---whose job will be to review and approve various building related matters concerning the casino---Walsten was bit hesitant. He indicated that he might be in favor of a public meeting on the ethics issue.
Meanwhile, Wilson said yesterday (Tuesday) that a major reason why he raised these questions about Walsten was because of Walsten's involvement in inviting a representative of LEED's to a recent city council meeting to give a 15-minute presentation about the program. Wilson said that it was Walsten who successfully pushed for casino LEED's certification several months ago without first checking to see whether fellow aldermen felt the same way.
"I found that upsetting," said Wilson. "He went around city council. He was making statements on behalf of Des Plaines without my knowledge. Also, he was looking for a mandatory change in the city's building code (regarding LEED certification for the casino) for just one building. I think that if they do it for one building, they should do it for all." Because of all of these factors, Wilson said his curiosity about Walsten's involvement was nurtured.
Now that Walsten has said he is not involved with LEED's, Wilson said he accepts that.
Still, the convoluted exchange of Monday night triggers the possibility of future confusion and potential problems involving hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs and tens of millions of dollars involving the planned gaming operation planned for Des Plaines' southeast corner. City officials---both elected and appointed---need to be squeaky clean when it comes to the new casino, whether it involves real issues or perceptions.
Should city employees be allowed to work at the casino?
Should there be employment opportunities for sons or daughters of aldermen at the casino?
Or should tight local controls be put in place so there's very little chance of hanky panky?
If the answer is yes, then aldermen have to sit down and hammer out reasonable measures of their own.
Speak Out!
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