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Hosey: Christmas spirit abounds at City Hall

Every year it seems to get here earlier. We made it to Halloween just today but already supermarkets and drugstores have aisles of Christmas decorations, of wreaths and wrapping paper and tinsel. At least with Christmas, it’s a legitimate holiday. But they could wait until after Thanksgiving before rolling out all the winter wonderland merchandise. While the Christmas commercialism may be a bit much, and a bit early, it’s never too early to get into the Christmas spirit, to embrace the generosity and charity of the season.

There can never be enough goodwill in this world. And that’s why it has been so inspirational to see Joliet’s own interim city manager doing so much for so many, even with the holidays nearly two months off. Interim City Manager Jim Hock may as well be Father Christmas himself, bestowing gifts on those in need left and right with no apparent thought for himself, throwing money around as if it was candy from a parade float, or even loaves of Milano bread. Why, just last week Hock went ahead and gifted a now-retired police officer with thousands of dollars. (Shaw Media)

By Joseph Hosey

There can never be enough goodwill in this world. And that’s why it has been so inspirational to see Joliet’s own interim city manager doing so much for so many, even with the holidays nearly two months off. Interim City Manager Jim Hock may as well be Father Christmas himself, bestowing gifts on those in need left and right with no apparent thought for himself, throwing money around as if it was candy from a parade float, or even loaves of Milano bread. Why, just last week Hock went ahead and gifted a now-retired police officer with thousands of dollars. (Shaw Media)

Councilman Mike Turk did say Hock revealed his plans to speak about his generosity toward Clement — in private and behind closed doors. “The only thing I know about it is that he sent (council members) an email saying he would discuss it at the next executive session,” Turk said. And Clement's not the only one who looks like he might see some money coming his way. The agenda for next week's city council meeting lists a resolution for Marty Shanahan, who was demoted from the interim city manager post last year and fired from his regular job as city attorney in May, to get a full year’s pay and six months free health insurance. For some reason. (Shaw Media)

Shanahan is in line to collect $122,896.44 within the next 30 days, which is quite the parting gift, even if you don’t count the six months of free health insurance on top of it. But why is Shanahan getting it? The resolution, if it passes, says Shanahan was “waiving and releasing all known or unknown claims and causes of action,” so he can’t sue if he was wrongly terminated. But if he was such a great city manager and shouldn’t have been fired, you’d think he would have been able to find another job by now. Not that it matters. Whether Shanahan deserves the money or not is far from the point. The point is lending a hand to an unemployed lawyer and a retired police officer when they really need it. That's the Christmas spirit. (Eric Ginnard)

• Joe Hosey is the editor of The Herald-News. You can reach him at 815-280-4094, at jhosey@shawmedia.com or on Twitter @JoeHosey.

The officer, Joe Clement, lost the money to a 25-day suspension handed down by Police Chief Al Roechner. Roechner determined Clement lied about a fellow officer when he claimed he was drunk on duty at a downtown street fair. But Christmas came early for Clement, and now he has his money back, all thanks to the largess of Jim Hock. Not that any of it’s coming out of his pocket. But still. Hock apparently didn’t do this for the attention either. He's obviously modest and wasn't trying to make himself look like some great guy. In fact, he seems hesitant to talk about it or try to explain it at all. At least not publicly. Try calling him yourself and see where it gets you. (Shaw Media)

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Joseph Hosey

Joseph Hosey

Joe Hosey is the editor of The Herald-News.