It’s like court, but not court. The Electoral Board of Review and the parties concerned convened Monday morning for a tense, but uneventful gathering Monday morning. On Wednesday, November 20th, John C. Hanson of HeplerBroom law firm filed an objection on behalf of his client, Mayor Jeff Pollard objecting to Bill Stendeback’s candidacy. The hearing Monday was mostly procedural with City of Carmi Attorney and Assistant counsel Greg Stewart and Alison Cozart presiding over the gathering.
It only took about twenty minutes. The Board of Review is made up of Mark Blake, the longest serving alderman (by a couple months as noted by Stewart), City Clerk Cynthia Attebury, and Steve Winkleman, the second longest serving alderman, placed on the board because the mayor can’t rule on his own objection. After Winkleman gave opening remarks, Stewart, who chose a Yoo Hoo as his morning beverage, went over the procedures and process as well as the timeline that the objection needed to be adhered.
The objection surrounds Stendeback’s residency within the city of Carmi, namely how long and whether he legally resides at the address given in his nominating petitions. The property in question is at 206 South Walnut Street. Read more at https://www.wrul.com/local-news/not-so-fast-pollard-files-objection-to-stendeback-campaign-for-mayor
The only jockeying that took place Monday surrounded establishment of the hearing date. Initially, a December 5th date was suggested to accommodate what one could imagine may be a very stressful vacation already planned for Stendeback. Stendeback’s attorney, Jason Drew objected saying he needed more time to get affidavits and prepare his case instead suggesting the 12th or 19th of December. Hanson objected to the 19th, but said the 12th was ok, though the 13th was preferred. Stewart then checked his calendar and asked if the 11th at 9am would work for both parties as well as members of the Board who will act as a jury in the case. It was agreed that the 11th would suffice.
With about 16 gallery onlookers and 3 members of the media present, Stewart then asked for input on whether the location (Council Chambers) would be sufficient and whether more people could be expected to show up for the actual proceedings. The 225 East Main Street chambers can only hold 50 people, but the White County court docket is already chock full for the 11th, so seating will be at a premium.
So what happens if one of the three “jury” members are incapacitated and unable to serve their role on the Board of Review? Stewart tells us it goes to the 2nd Judicial court and a random voter from within the city of Carmi could be tabbed to serve. As for the timeline, County Clerk Kayci Heil says candidates must be certified and to her office by January 23rd. Early voting for the April 1st election starts on February 20th. Once the hearing is held and a ruling delivered, an appeal can be filed within 5 days from that decision which could result in more proceedings.
A**hole
November 25, 2024 at 3:35 pmI think Pollard needs to go because he is draining the h*** out carmi and probably Pocket most of the money instead fixing s*** like roads sidewalks and drains and ditches how about we get some one else in here that can run the city build the money back up and get what we need done here in town he’s just trying everything to keep running for mayor so he can live high
Donnie
November 26, 2024 at 10:07 amAgreed, he could’ve used the road grant money to redo several of the roads in town but elected to annex in Burrells Woods so he could use that million on a pointless road to nowhere back there, (and also built a campsite on someone else’s property).
Annoyed
November 25, 2024 at 5:07 pmLooks to me that poor Jeff knows the proof Carmi are fed up with his bull and ready for a change If he wasn’t scared he will loose, then he wouldn’t be doing this. He knows his and his family free ride is over if he looses.
Unknown comic
November 26, 2024 at 10:00 amA “random” voter. LOL.
Enfield resident
November 26, 2024 at 10:58 amChange is good.
Pollard needs to go.
Enfield resident
November 26, 2024 at 10:59 amChange is good
Yoo Hoo
November 26, 2024 at 7:25 pmAye yo leave them Yoo Hoos alone. Jeff S***S! Get him out of the office!
Yoo-hoo
November 26, 2024 at 7:27 pmJeff is the worst mayor since Richard nixon he is a CROOK and his wife is about as smart as the snail on my shoe and her whole family needs fired from the city to long they have Ben taking from the city and wasting money stealing and all kinds of s*** bunch or worthless folks of u ask anyone hope they lose to. Go stendabek!
Donnie
November 27, 2024 at 10:31 pmWRUL hasn’t approved this comment on other posts.. but a quick FOIA on the mayors wife(Rickie) made 106k last year with her office job and “contracts” she gets with the city. A lot of people don’t know about that.
How stupid are you ?
November 26, 2024 at 8:23 pmYou would think that if a person has a voters registration card, Illinois driver’s license, post office address and pays property taxes in Carmi that he’s a resident of that town. What’s the difference in having a river house in posey county or a house at Kentucky lake ?? I would think that voter fraud in a presidential election would be a little more serious and fun to talk about if his counsel of peers finds him guilty. How stupid are you ?? Really ??
Broke Carmi Resident
November 26, 2024 at 9:53 pmMy electric and water bill jumped up $400 more every month this year as soon as the city placed a smart meter on my home. Now they want to raise the
Property taxes again??? I think President Trump needs to investigate this town for corruption. This town should be so wealthy and in immaculate condition with how much they are taking from the citizens, but it is neither!!
13th
November 26, 2024 at 10:11 pmYet Pollard trying to shove thru a 12.03% real estate tax increase, on top of afterhours for water issues that no citizen of Carmi does themselves. Some might say the public notice hidden deep inside City of Carmi website. Why did this not happen before the filing period, maybe because others on city council would have opposition for their city council seats? public hearing December 17th at 5:15 but you must request to be put on agenda
Small town
November 27, 2024 at 5:55 amJ.P. The Mayor position is not a guarantee of your income. It is an Elected position and you need to let the people of Carmi Elect who they want to be as Their mayor instead of trying to take away their right to choose. Which is what you are trying to do! . I do believe that the majority of the people in Carmi are ready for you to go so instead of starting all of this that was completely uncalled for you wanted to take the voting out of the hands of the people not for the good of Carmi but for the good of JP. Let the peoples voice of carmi be heard. What a mess You have created !