Politicians vs. Publisher
Surely, it is Pfeil’s devotion to the Creed that explains the anguish he exhibited some weeks ago, when two elected public officials importuned the public to think in lockstep. We speak of state representative John Matijevich and Lake County Coroner Barbara Richardson, both of whom took to the airwaves in a bald attempt to manipulate mass opinion.
Soon after they began to air, Pfeil ran into Richardson at a public gathering, the topping-off ceremony for a new commercial development.
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Richardson: All I said was, “Sit down, folks, and talk about this.” I deal daily with your reporters on the beat, and we’ve gotten to be friends. And I felt there’s been an injustice done to them.
“We have concluded it’s time for a change,” the editorial page announced. The paper’s choice was Waukegan alderman Thomas Clement, the Republican candidate. “While Matijevich has enjoyed long-term popularity, he has become closely aligned with the Chicago Democratic leadership and thus has become part of the problem in Springfield. . . . We therefore take the somewhat unusual position of endorsing a challenger who has basically good ideas and we think a promising future in politics.”
“I think we’re mixing apples and oranges here,” Selle answered. “A tax increase for the city was needed, and I don’t think the editorial board was convinced the temporary surcharge was continuing to be needed.”
