Grafton Township preferred seating

In most meetings of public bodies the elected officials sit facing their constituents. Usually, nameplates are placed in front of them, so that the audience sees the name of the elected official.

Things happen a little differently in Grafton Township, though. One trustee chooses to sit with his back to the audience and across the table from the other three trustees. Gerry McMahon (back to camera) sits on the near side of the trustees' table. (To enlarge the image, click on the photo.)

In this photo, Assessor William Ottley and Clerk Harriet Ford are just out of sight on the left. Supervisor Linda Moore is shown, and Trustees Rob LaPorta, Barbara Murphy and Betty Zirk are shown facing the audience. Trustee Gerry McMahon's back can be seen.

The June Regular Meeting of the Grafton Township Board will be held Thursday, June 14, at 7:30PM at the Huntley Park District.

Future meetings could be held at the Township offices. Check the published Agenda to confirm location. If meetings were held at the Township office, room rental could be saved. On the other hand, if 25-50-100 electors show up, then seating could be a problem.

Last night the trustees attempted to introduce a matter not on the Agenda, that of ordering the Supervisor not to arrange for a Huntley Police officer to be present at meetings, and only to be summoned in event of an emergency. The trustees tried to explain away an objection (by the Supervisor that such an issue was not on the Agenda) by claiming it was part of the discussion about payment of a bill for service from the P.D.

The Supervisor's decision is right. Did the trustees so vote? And, if so, will the issue go to the Public Access Counselor at the Illinois Attorney General's Office for review?