Rather than spend the dog days of summer polishing position papers and dialing for dollars, Republican Rep. Michael Brown of Crystal Lake and Jack Franks, his Democratic challenger from Woodstock, are already swinging in one of area’s most contentious state House races.
The latest tussle in the 63rd District is over debates.
Franks is challenging Brown to eight, 90-minute debates starting Aug. 10.
“So often these days, campaigns are just about direct mail pieces and newspaper ads,” Franks said. “We need to return to a time when elected officials were accountable to the people they represent.”
Brown’s response: “He’s doing it just to get headlines.”
Why else, Brown asked, would Franks send the debate invitation to reporters before giving it to Brown? “If he’s really serious about debates, why didn’t he just call me up?” Brown said. “I’m anxious to debate Mr. Franks.”
The debate over debates follows by a couple of weeks Franks’ attack on Brown’s environmental voting record.
“He is the type of politician who would cut down a tree so he could stand on the stump to make a speech for conservation,” Franks said.
Franks attacked Brown’s votes on three bills–one involving gas emissions from coal companies, another regulating huge hog farms and a third regulating pesticide use.
Brown’s votes, Franks said, add up to an assault on clean air and water.
“That’s nuts,” Brown responded.
Brown said he voted each time in the interest of farmers and small business owners. He said Franks was simply aping the party line since each of those bills was introduced by Democrats.
“He’s talking about Democratic initiatives pushed by (House Speaker) Mike Madigan,” Brown said. “It’s obvious that Mike Madigan is running his campaign.”
Council Cops: Rolling Meadows police have a new beat to walk: The City Council chambers.
Ald. Merton Staley last month threatened to call in the cops following a series of shouting matches in which council members, the city manager and a resident took turns calling each other liars.
Sure enough, a uniformed officer was posted at the last two meetings. And while he was there to ensure peace, his presence caused another ruckus.
Ald. Mark Evenson objected to being under police guard. But City Manager William Barlow said: “He’s here to assist in any disruption in the council chambers.”
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Evenson shot back: “Our community is better served by having this officer back on the streets.”