From the Suburban Life May 15, 1975

OTIP strikes hard

Danek told: resign

By DAVE MASTERSON

Westchester's new brand of power politics claimed its first victim Tuesday night in the person of village Manager Charles Danek.

Using the 4-2 majority they acquired on April 15, Trustees Kenneth Caithamer, Arthur Bieber, Eugene Cebry and Angelo Luciano passed  a resolution calling for Danek's resignation sometime before Tuesday.

Dissenting votes were registered by Trustees Austin Boyle and Raymond Urbans.

FOLLOWING THE meeting, Bieber, who acted as president pro-tem, said that the resignation was necessary because of Danek's "failure to cooperate."  The village manager claimed that it was simply a conflict of personalities between himself and Caithamer.

"No way will they get my resignation," Danek said.

The proposal for Danek's resignation was an unexpected and bold move at this time by the OTIP majority trustees.  The same four board members had just finished voting in an amendment to limit the village manager's power in appointing and dismissing department heads before the roof caved in.

The amendment had been strongly contested by both Danek and Boyle at a special board meeting the week before, and many hard feelings were evident at that time.

Following the official stripping of Danek's appointment authority Tuesday night, the OTIP members appeared to be trying to ease the village manager's pain somewhat.

CAITHAMER called for a vote of confidence from the board for Danek in what seemed to be an attempt to iron out any previous misgivings.  Urbans, who had sided with Danek, jumped on the opportunity to put things to a better light and seconded the motion.  Approximately half of the hundred people present applauded.

But what seemed to be a gesture of good faith on the surface turned out to be a slap in the face as first Cebry and then Luciano voted nay  Their negative votes were followed by similar ones from Bieber and the originator of the motion.  Caithamer, Urbans, appearing somewhat flustered, managed to let out with an aye vote, and he was followed in suit by Boyle.

This surprising turn of events was followed immediately by Caithamer's request for Danek's resignation.

"Caithamer is simply taking advantage of his position," the 17 year village manager said following the meeting.  "There's really nothing I can do to retain mine."

DANEK SAID that he had been informed that his resignation would be requested just 10 minutes before the meeting in executive session.  Urbans said that he, too, received notice at that time.

"I had heard that the OTIP had promised certain members of the police and fire departments that they would get me out of office if the firemen and policemen would campaign for them," Danek said.  "Now they're just fulfilling their campaign promises."

Danek pointed out that when he fails to resign, he will be undoubtedly be fired at the next village board meeting on May 27.

He also warned that this action taken against him could and probably would jeopardize the council-manager type of government in Westchester.

Danek said that not only would future village managers have to fear for their jobs very time the board changes through elections, but so would department heads.

"In all of the years I have been village manager, I have been able to tell department head candidates that there would be no politics involved in their jobs," Danek said.

"At this time I was always able to point at myself as an example.  However, when I recently appointed a new public works inspector I couldn't say that.  Neither will whoever takes over as village manager when I leave."

Last Modified:  02/09/2005