Ferak's Mike Turk Column: Patch Readers Offer Reaction

JOLIET, IL — Monday's column calling for Joliet City Councilman Mike Turk not to seek re-election after 33 years on the council drew an array of reaction from Joliet Patch readers.

At least 42 people commented at the bottom of my column, offering their opinions on whether they agree that the time has come for Turk to not seek re-election and let somebody else in Joliet have a chance to serve the residents of the state's third largest city.

The voters of Joliet first put Turk in office as an at-large representative in the April 1987 elections.

Over the past couple years, Turk has been directly responsible for creating division and dysfunction inside City Hall, notably in the office of city manager.

On top of that, Turk voted to raise numerous taxes upon the residents and visitors of Joliet, tax hikes that took effect this year. The one that hits your wallet every week is the additional 3-cent per gallon fuel tax increase that Turk helped pass as part of the city's 2020 budget.

In Monday's column I wrote: "Sources in the labor and trades industry have told me that Turk won't have their backing if he runs for re-election in April. For the sake of Turk's political legacy, let's hope he makes the wise decision and chooses not to run in the 2021 race."

Turk still has a couple months left to file his candidacy. But, in the election world, the longer you wait and remain indecisive, the more likely that you give your opponents a chance to campaign against your track record, without a chance to counter their attacks.

There are three open seats for Joliet City Council at-large in the April 6 elections.

Here's a rundown of some of the comments from loyal Patch readers, offering their reaction to my Turk column. The name used by the Patch commenter is listed below in bold.

Tom Donk: "This guy has done more to destroy Joliet than any other person in history. Things that happened under his guidance: Splash Station fiasco, Ball Park fiasco, perpetual Rialto support, spending tax dollars on old prison, $10 million “homeless hangout” library remodel, CenterPoint road destroyer, City business model of tattoo parlors, payday loan stores, and warehouses, fuel tax increase, motel tax increase, complete mismanagement of the pending water crisis, constantly hiring consultants to do city workers functions, city manager hiring fiasco, unfunded city pensions, uncontrolled westward expansion of the 'Vinyl Jungle,' out of control shootings through out the city."

Reboot Joliet, whose comments are always typed in capital letters: "TURK IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THE CITY COUNCIL AND HAS NEVER EVER LISTEN TO THE TAX PAYER'S OF JOLIET AND FOR 33 YEAR'S THE STUPID PEOPLE OF JOLIET VOTED HIM IN."

SoxFanatic1: "I’ll start off by saying I’m not a fan of 'opinion' articles that Ferak writes. Mike Turk has worked for many years to represent the people of Joliet and done an outstanding job. He doesn’t deserve getting kicked in the behind after this long. Many of those years I don’t believe Ferak was even in the area. These opinion articles change people’s thinking and even if it’s only a few votes it’s enough to sway an election. Ferak needs to just report the news and stop trying to have some kind of agenda, that’s not his job. If Mike Turk is done in local politics I would like the say a big THANK YOU for everything you’ve done!!"

Kathy: "Wow! This article is nothing more than a political advertisement to pave the way for O.D.’s puppet Shanahan, the man that was FIRED from the City of Joliet."

Freddy M is back: "Mr. Ferak, great job! You brought up many good points in this article. This is why I think Patch is better than Herald, we have good people on board who truly care about Joliet. Turk and the rest of the Mudron 5 need to go."

Joey C: "Looks like 'Kathy' can't handle that fact that the Old guard is on its way to being dismantled."

Johnny: "Turk isn’t going anywhere. Just you wait & see."

Reggie Brown: "This article is your opinion not the voters. Just like your restaurant reviews are you opinion... Don't you have another restaurant to eat at?"

Jackie Daytona: "Oh yes it is the vast majority of voters' opinion. If Turk is foolish enough to run again, it will be a poor finish."

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In any event, if you missed reading my Monday column on Turk, you can still do so here.