We told you yesterday the field was set for the Carmi Consolidated Election scheduled for April 1st, 2025. WROY/WRUL News learned this morning of a formal objection filed by current Carmi Mayor Jeff Pollard balking at challenger Bill Stendeback’s petition to run for the office. City Attorney Greg Stewart tells us the objection is based on allegations surrounding Stendeback’s residence status. Per the state statute, the city’s Chief Executive Officer must reside within city limits at least one year preceding the election.
The next step in the process is an initial meeting to be held in City Council Chambers at 10am on Monday, November 25th. The electoral board of review will gather briefly to set the rules of procedure and to set the date for evidence to be heard. The public is welcome to attend the proceedings, but no audio or video recording devices will be permitted.
So, who’s on the review board and how do they get there? Stewart says per Illinois statute, it’s made up of the City Clerk (Cynthia Attebury), the mayor, and the longest serving council member (Mark Blake in this case). Stewart says because the mayor obviously can’t rule on his own objection, that spot on the review board is filled with the next longest serving council member (Steve Winkleman).
The date for evidence to actually be heard is expected to be in early December.
James
November 21, 2024 at 2:46 pmThe mayor needs a crying towel
Fed up
November 21, 2024 at 3:29 pmThe mayor needs strung up like the lil thieving b**** he is.
Just saying
November 21, 2024 at 3:07 pmI think if you don’t physically live in a town, you shouldn’t be able to run for an office in that town or county.
Concerned citizen
November 21, 2024 at 3:48 pmJeff is running scared, he’s wrong.
Unknown comic
November 21, 2024 at 3:58 pmCome on Jeff really?
Brandi Williams
November 21, 2024 at 5:01 pmLike we shpuld expect anything else. Fight this bill
Frank
November 21, 2024 at 7:03 pmPollard for mayor. He’s be doling one heck of a job I think. He is the man for the job and has been doing the job. Some may not agree but it’s only because they either don’t know everything or they are just couch potatoes looking for something to complain about till there government money comes in the mail.
Joe B
November 21, 2024 at 9:03 pmPollard is doing a great job. Everyone makes mistakes and mayor is no different. Live and learn. Stebdeback don’t care about Carmi. Carmi is all drama…always has been…always will be… if Bill gets mayor yall will turn on him too…just wait
Carmi Citizen
November 21, 2024 at 9:11 pmI believe the current mayor has good intentions, and I can appreciate some of the improvements, he has made. However, it feels like there’s a disconnect between leadership and the people of Carmi.
For example, issues like high electricity costs, the state of the water system, and the condition of streets and sidewalks seem to be overlooked. These are real challenges that affect all of us and deserve more focus and transparency.
Leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about listening and being present. Unfortunately, there have been moments, such as when a family raised questions about spending earlier this year, where the response seemed dismissive rather than collaborative. This kind of interaction can create the perception of defensiveness or secrecy, which is not what we need in a small, tight-knit community like Carmi.
I genuinely believe the mayor has the potential to do great things, but it starts with reconnecting with the people—being visible, listening openly, and making decisions that reflect the priorities of the community. Leadership is strongest when it’s rooted in trust and partnership, and I hope to see that approach in the future.
David
November 22, 2024 at 9:19 amI agree with all of your well stated points. Perhaps we will have a leader who knows why the position should be used only for the good of the City and us citizens.
Democracy Even If You Don't Like the Laws
November 22, 2024 at 12:26 amSince there’s a law that says citizen for a year, does that mean the challenger hasn’t been one for the required length of time? If so, everyone complaining needs a civics lesson.
Gail
November 22, 2024 at 8:31 amCarmi needs a clean sweep in the Mayor’s office. Nothing but ALL FAMILY working there. The only thing I’ve seen that Pollard has done is better all his family and redo his office building. I bet if I wanted to go apply for a job there they’d laugh at me.
Bite Me
November 22, 2024 at 1:55 pmI swear you people in Carmi would complain about anything. I’ve been back to Carmi multiple occasions and I will say the town that I grew up in looks fantastic. I think Mr. Pollard has done a wonderful job with Carmi . And for you people that don’t know most cities get audited and apparently when they did get audited, they didn’t find any discrepancy. So when you talk about Pollard stealing from the city, you need to get your facts straight because you Uneducated people that are complaining usually are the ones that are corrupt and have something to hide. Whatever happened with the Bradshaw case? Did anything happen with that? My question is who paid the bills when he stole and charged the City credit card? As a former, Carmi resident born and raised there and still have family that lives there I have questions as well. Sounds like Mr. Pollard Is being railroaded from what I understand and see. It’s not hard to figure out when you have Jack Bradshaw running for Alderman that’s where all the drama is coming from that would be the Nelson’s and the Bradshaw!! I guess nothing has changed in Carmi!! So sad these people have manipulated all their life in Carmi. That’s what I call a wolf and sheep’s clothing!
And as far as Mr. Stendenbeck, he moved out of Carmi when he moved his funeral home service to Mount Vernon Indiana that’s very well known even though you have a home in Carmi and maybe a PO Box doesn’t mean you reside there full time.. That would be like me moving back to Carmi part-time and running for mayor. You people would have a field day with that. I wish Mayor Pollard, the best endeavors and the best of luck.
Citizen of Carmi
November 22, 2024 at 3:23 pmThis…1000%…. speak the truth and say it louder for the people in the back
Just saying
November 22, 2024 at 3:38 pmBite Me you are right about Pollard getting railroaded. He had a mess on his hands when he first walked in and it takes time, one thing at a time. He has been getting alot of road blocks by some people all the way and still.