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NewsTuesday, August 14, 2007 11:21 PM CDT
Sweeney resigns as chairman of McLean County Board
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BLOOMINGTON -- Mike Sweeney has resigned as chairman of the McLean County Board but will retain a seat as a board member.

Sweeney’s resignation was read by Vice Chairman Matt Sorensen at an executive committee meeting Tuesday. Sweeney, who was not at the meeting, cited personal reasons for the resignation.

When contacted later by phone, Sweeney said it was a family decision.

“I’ve been on the board 21 years and chairman for seven-plus,” he said. “My family has been very concerned that I spend way too much time going to all these meetings.”

Besides chairing the County Board and serving as chairman of the Liquor Control Commission, the executive committee and the legislative subcommittee, Sweeney also represented the county on numerous community boards including the Economic Development Council.

“It’s a tremendous amount of time,” Sweeney said, estimating as chairman he spent about 20 hours a week attending meetings on the behalf of the county.

Sweeney, 8386 Blooming Grove Road, Bloomington, was first elected to represent residents in District 3, in western McLean County, in 1986. He was elected chairman in 2000.

His resignation surprised executive committee members Tari Renner and George Gordon.

“It certainly was a surprise, a bombshell,” Renner said. “We didn’t see that it was coming.”

Gordon said being surprised was putting it mildly. “It came as a complete surprise,” he said.

Member Paul Segobiano said he had heard rumors about a resignation and figured it out through a process of elimination. “I’ve served with Mike for a long time,” he said.

Bob Nuckolls said Sweeney appointed him to the board nearly eight years ago.

“He’s a great and outstanding leader,” Nuckolls said. “He has nothing but the highest regard for McLean County. I have nothing but respect for him.”

Vice Chairman Matt Sorensen, who was first appointed to the board in 1993, said he plans to seek the chairmanship post at the Aug. 21 meeting. He has served as vice chairman since 2002.

“I’m not interested in broad sweeping changes out of the gate,” Sorensen said, citing the fact that for many, Sweeney is the only chairman they have served under.

Sorensen said that in a couple of years, however, he would be interested in possibly creating an ad hoc committee to look at the future needs of the county, including what to do if another jail is needed.

If Sorensen is not chosen to be chairman, he will continue as vice chairman.

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Reader comments on this story - 12 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

To Taxpayer; I agree. wrote on Aug 21, 2007 6:23 AM:

" I agree, he should have been gone a long time ago. He's good at one thing, that's for sure: making sure that he participates in the good ol boy's club. Sorensen will not be any better but if the good ol boy's club works like I think - we'll have no say in that matter. They make their decisions behind closed doors before ever truly representing us, the taxpayers. We have some good representatives on the board - mostly Democrats and a few Republicans. Before you jump down my throat - no, I'm not a Democrat - I'm a Republican. Some good ladies and men out there - consider running for county board. We need TRUE representation. "

Ol' Geezer wrote on Aug 19, 2007 9:59 PM:

" Mr. Douglas E Williams -- don't be so quick to accuse others of not stepping up to the plate. I've served my nation of a federal level, I've served my state of a state level, I've served my county on a county level -- and even to this day I actively serve my local government on a local level. I've known of Mike Sweeney for almost 40 years -- and have followed his public service for many of those years -- and well reserve the right to say "There is little representation of the rural area on the County Board" -- and that includes Mr. Sweeney. "

To: Douglas E Williams wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:44 PM:

" You couldnt have said it any better...all he has done is "give" for how many years? Yeah, and all these lousy pollsters can think of is deceit, lying, and stealing...Wonderful way to respond to a good public citizen. Now go play with your tinker toys....Congratulations Mike. Well done! "

!! wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:29 PM:

" the good things he has done, allowed thousands of acres of great farm land to be turned into subdivisions. hundreds of acres to be turned into a car plant that is slowly axing employees and closing. could not figure out where to put in the un-needed east side bypass. has allowed police protection throughout the county to be reduced to little of nothing at night. and the list goes on and on and on!! "

Douglas E Williams wrote on Aug 15, 2007 1:22 PM:

" Oh yes..you as well Taxpayer. "

Douglas E Williams wrote on Aug 15, 2007 1:21 PM:

" Mike Sweeney is a devoted and selfless public servant who has DONATED thousands of hours to help make McLean County a better place. When one has the 'nads to step into the arena and lead there will always be criticism--no matter what one does ,or doesn't, do. But he put himself out there for the public good and this is what he gets? I would like to see the courageous Devil's Advocate, Tired and Ol Geezer step up to the plate and do one tenth of one per cent as much good as Mike Sweeney has done. "

Ol' Geezer wrote on Aug 15, 2007 11:44 AM:

" Looks like 'business as usual - patting ourselves on the back claiming to respresent the county. Still just city folks passing themselves off as representatives of the county. It sure would be nice to actually have rural representation on the 'City Board' -- oops I mean 'County Board'. "

TIRED wrote on Aug 15, 2007 11:32 AM:

" MAYBE THERE IS NOTHING LEFT FOR HIM TO TAKE FROM THE COUNTY. I HOPE THAT THEY INVESTIGATE AND CHECK HIM BEFORE HE STEPS DOWN. HE PROBABLY HAS THE BLAGO SYNDROM "

Taxpayer wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:54 AM:

" It's about time - he should have been gone a long time ago!!! "

to:Devil's Advocate wrote on Aug 15, 2007 8:55 AM:

" That law suit will only make a lawyer some cash flow and get no other place. "

LeRoy resident wrote on Aug 15, 2007 8:54 AM:

" I hope the board comes up with someone else to replace Sweeny as the Chairmen other than Sorensen. I can find nothing that Sorensen has done for the area that he represents. Sorensen only does what his big employeer asks him to do. That is go set in the meetings and cover their assets in the area. We need someone on the board that really cares about McLean County and not their own personnel neeeds or wants. "

Devil's Advocate wrote on Aug 15, 2007 8:49 AM:

" This wouldn't have anything to do with the way the County Board handled the White Oak Wind Factory zoning approval? And that they are getting sued for the inapropriate manner in which it was railroaded through? "

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