Where's Waldo?
Here's the caption underneath a photo accompanying a story about a farewell party for outgoing Moline mayor Stan Leach on the Dispatch/Argus Quad Cities Online website:
Photo: John Greenwood
During a party for outgoing Moline mayor Stan Leach Thursday afternoon, Stewart Winstein, left, greets the mayor, right, along with Col. Tom Boyd. Others in attendance included, all from left to right: 1) Donna Scalf, Decker Ploen, and Kevin ?; 2) Donna Scalf and Decker Ploen; 3) John Bradley and Chuck Ruhl; 4) ? and Rick Baker; 5) Outgoing East Moline Mayor Jose (Joe) Moreno and Steve Etheridge; 6) Dorothy Armstrong and Lorna Moreno; 7) Stever Etheridge and Scott Hamilton; 8) Dennis Pauley; 9) Al and Barb Efflandt; 10) Scott Raes; 11) Trinity Regional Health System president/ceo Bill Leaver and Rock Island mayor Mark Schwiebert; 12) Tom Robinson; 13) Mayor Stan Leach; 14) Tom Getz and Willie Leach; 15) Jim Bohnsack and Don Margenthaler; 16) John Gardner and ?; 17) Jeff Lenz; 18) Jim Mowan; 19) Jerry Lack; 20) Jackie Foster, fiance of Jon Leach, Jon Leach, Stan and Willie Leach;
It appears to have contained even more names but was cut off at that point.
Here's the picture. See if you can find all the people listed above. Extra points for finding "Kevin ?" or "? and Rick Baker" from #1 and #4 above.
Hint: They must be behind the buffet table or hidden in the wallpaper.
Here's the lead of the story by Brian Kranz under the headline, "Leach honored as 'great leader' at farewell party":
It wasn't unlike any other gathering.Excuse me while I get a tissue. I'm getting a little misty after reading that gauzy soft-focus opening. It reads like a Harlequin romance. -sniff-
The smell of wine and beer filled a conference room at Centre Station Thursday afternoon, as men and women in business attire stood talking over soft jazz music playing in the background.
In the mix of about 50 people stood an older man in a suit, his rimless glasses clinging to the soft features of his face. He reached out to give firm handshakes to person after person, as the soft grin remained constantly on his face.
They were all there for him.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 4/09/2005
16 comments
16 Comments:
I watched the news coverage and saw only a small few bodies mingling a big empty room. Did not seem like a huge crowd to me but not being there, perhaps there was another room not in view? Or perhaps folks were sick of what Stan had to say about anything after all of his negative comments in huge paid ink ads in the newspaper and in the mailboxes last week........What a shame for a 3 term mayor to exit saying such negative nasty things. Maybe people had their fill of him after all that.
The odd thing about that picture and the caption was that under the picture there was a link to "More photos from this shoot".
When you click through to the page, there are perhaps a dozen more pictures shot at the event, and not one of them is a group shot. Very weird.
The Dispatch site has a lot of sloppy mistakes such as links pointing to the wrong stories, multiple posts of the same stories, and today they have all the Police blotter stories under Business and visa-versa.
And do you think the writer of that piece has a little bit of a crush on Leach? Sounds like it.
I noticed that Lane Evans staffer Jerry Lack was wining and dining at the Stan Leach event! Isn't that great. After Leach trashes Democrat Pat O'Brien, Lack kisses up to Leach.
Yep. Lack's name jumped out of that list when I read it as well. Don't know how he snuck in there, but he must have felt it was a good chance to schmooze.
Isn't that the Jerry Lack you have mentioned as a possible Illinois House candidate?
I wonder how one of the best Democrats in Rock Island County, Pat O'Brien, and the thousands of loyal democrats around the QCs feel about Lack paying tribute to O'Brien basher, Stan Leach.
I assume that Lack realizes that the election is over and has probably worked with Leach over the years as liaison for Evans and so wanted to pay his respects.
Or perhaps Evans wanted to attend but couldn't, and so sent Lack as his stand in.
Just guesses.
Or how about this possibility.
Lack has barely lifted a finger for the RI County Democratic Party and thinks he's going to waltz into a House seat if Boland leaves.
That won't set well with thousands of Democrats who never see him at events or helping.
You may be right, but I doubt there's hundreds, let alone thousands, of people who even know who he is, and likely couldn't care less what he's done for the party.
Sure, the insiders will take that into consideration, but the public? Nah.
Well the paper reported the smell of wine and beer was in the air so perhaps those who attended did not care that Leach is an O'Brien basher and they wanted the free food.
Notice the press only interviewed Leach family members and close friends - no people from general public. Oh yeah, it was only the elite that were invited - I forgot. Likely any "Joe Citizen" who may have snuck in for the free food would not have been kind to soon to be ex mayor Leach.
People I hear talking about Leach lately have said things I can't print because of the shameless and desperate way in which he attacked Pat O'Brien after Pat's 8 years of service.
Anyone running or associated with such a dismally negative campaign should be ashamed of themselves. They hope that the citizens will forget - but not likely. If Welvaert claims he had no knowledge -- well pooh pooh to that - is he living with his head in the sand or what? Wake up folks - they wanted to win at ALL costs - throw all ethics morals and integrity out the window - anything to keep Republican rule in Moline.
Leach says he's going on vacaction. What a convenient way to avoid the subject and hope that the memory of his nasty attack fades. Maybe he plans to move to Florida - then he can forget all about it......
Right on, Anonymous!
You have spoken the absolute truth about the mudslinging GOP in the Moline Mayor's race. They should be, but likely aren't, ashamed of themselves.
You know, we've seen this hypocrisy before. They talk a good game of morals and values, but they'll slit your throat to keep power.
I am deeply disappointed that Pat O'Brien lost, and that his good reputation got smeared in the process.
Leach, Lack, Welvaert, Getz and the rest should be ashamed of themselves for celebrating that kind of campaign over wine and cheese Thur night!
Yes that was Jerry Lack you saw at Leach's party. In his defense, he was probably there at the request of his boss, Congressman Evans. So you can't blame. However, Silvis, you are correct in your assessment of his potential candidacy. Unfortunalely, besides working for Lane, he has not endured himself to other democrats, partly due to his inability, or lack of want to carry the water for anyone else besides his boss. Could hurt him if he tries to run for the rumored Boland vacany. My money though is on Ahern or McNeil. Lack is a distant third, even with Lanes help. With 2 republican opponents and now speculation for a demo opponent against Lane, I would hope he stays. But if not, does he does not hurt anyone.
The last anonymous makes some good points. Lack's inability to endear himself to anyone (or very very few) in the party will make it very hard for him to move forward. I mean, everyone around here drops everything for Lane Evans every two years so his help there isn't anything special.
Maybe the most important question is whether Evans will stay neutral.
He should in such a race, especially if candidates like Ahern and McNeil -- two who have spent years helping Lane and many many others -- are also in the race.
Time will tell I guess.
looking good dope: nice wrinkles
Silvis, very nice points. Mr. Ahern and Mr. McNeil could certainly view this as a slap in the face if Evans endorses somebody in this race, even with Lack being one of his employees, the other two have toiled for years behind the scenes, doing the heavy lifting. I for one would vote for either one over anyone else in the 71st, by far. Including an Evans endorsed person. Come on Boland, make up your mind, and give us an Ahern/McNeil race-- at least we will see issues, ideas, and good campaigns...
Hmmm. I think the "nice wrinkles" comment above is a front-runner for "baffling comment of the week".
It might even have a strong shot at baffler of the year, for that matter.
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