Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson stands in support of East St. Louis Township trustees recently moving to strip town Supervisor Alvin Parks of his power to spend taxpayer money beyond what might be found in his petty cash box.

“The people of East St. Louis deserve honest government that is accountable to the people of that community,” Jameson, who once had some say in the situation as St. Clair County Republican chairman, told the Metro East Sun.

 “I’m concerned about the effect that government is having on its people," he added. "There is a selfishness among leadership there for people to serve just themselves and those close to them. It's true that there are a few public officials there that have been willing to take advantage of an economically depressed area.”

The restriction on Parks can only be overridden with board approval. According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the decision to limit his ability stems from abuse of power issues including once attempting to put his sister on the payroll, being unable to secure a performance bond short of a cost at least 10 times the normal price and authorizing the spending of nearly $10,000 to beautify township offices.

A performance bond provides a guarantee for the public that money that is misspent can be recouped from an insurance company.

More recently, Parks came under criminal investigation for threatening to “break off” the finger of Trustee Edith Moore during an argument at a recent board meeting.

 “We’ve tried to draw attention and support for honest public service,” Jameson, who served almost three years as county GOP chairman and is running for the seat currently held by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th House District, said. “It’s about bringing accountability to management of public funds.”

Jameson said he and party leaders have tirelessly worked to get more Republicans in power across the state and have succeeded in getting Scott Randolph elected as the first Republican ever to the East St. Louis Township Board.

“Under my chairmanship, we tried to make changes” he said. “Scott Randolph is a Korean war veteran and a former school principal; he’s got plenty of respect in the community.”

In the end, Jameson said that the people of East St. Louis deserve much better than what they’ve received from government in recent times.

“I have met and come to know good and honest people of East St. Louis and what they want is better government,” he said. “I would say to them, there time is coming.”