Mayor Bloemker Takes Issue w/No Confidence Vote for Police Chief

The Mayor said, "Chief Jeff Fuesting has been a tireless fighter for best practices in law enforcement and law enforcement management. His basis is always in efficiency, productivity, and accountability. Chief Fuesting has done exactly what this administration and city council has asked of him and he has always been transparent. We are proud of the courageous changes he has made to the Effingham Police Department in the past two years, taking it from a lower echelon presence to a source of pride for the community."

Bloemker's statement also suggests that upcoming labor negotiations play a role in the no confidence vote, saying, "The City of Effingham is heading into union negotiations and it's clear the union wants Chief Fuesting out of the picture. This type of threat promotes mediocrity and complacency and is at the core of why Illinois is the laughing stock of our country. I have seen votes of no confidence at other organizations and am of the opinion it is a cheap parlor trick used by the unions to manipulate the weaker elements of a staff and administration."

The mayor also encouraged the incoming City Council to retain Fuesting as chief.