The Manteno Village Board held a special board meeting last night, to take action regarding the Mayor’s removal of Joseph Cainkar as Village Attorney on June 15th and reinstating him.
Mayor Annette LaMore, Trustee Peggy Vaughn, and Attorney James Vasselli, who was appointed by LaMore at the June 15th meeting, were not present last night. During roll call, Trustee Mike Barry said he thought the meeting was being held illegally, then left. Trustees Annette Zimbelman, Joel Gesky, Todd Crockett, and CJ Boudreau continued with the meeting which was held without the Village Clerk, since the clerk resigned that position late Tuesday night. In the Mayor’s absence, the board voted Trustee Gesky Pro-Tem mayor for the meeting.
When asked about the legality of the vote and meeting, Trustee Gesky had this to say.
In a written statement, Mayor LaMore alleged the meeting illegal due to village code violations and said any business approved would be be null and void. In the end the four trustees on hand voted to reinstate Cainkar as Village Attorney
Other items on last night’s agenda were not addressed, which included an update on the Village Audit and Gotion.