Quincy Herald Whig

Niekamp throws support behind Daniels to be School Board vice president, but Daniels doesn't want post

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Published: 7/2/2009 | Updated: 7/9/2009

BY THE HERALD-WHIG STAFF

Quincy School Board President Melvin “Bud” Niekamp wants Bill Daniels to be elected vice president of the School Board, but Daniels has declined, citing the six years he has already served in that office.

Daniels said he responded to Niekamp this morning. He thanked him for asking, but wrote that “it’s time for a break. I intend to remain actively involved with the Board but do not want to be an officer.”

Niekamp said “no comment” when asked about Daniels’ response.

“If somebody else were president and asked me to do it, I’d probably still say ‘no,’ ” Daniels said. “I’m not seeking it.”

Niekamp has called a special meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday.

Niekamp also said that he asked Superintendent Lonny Lemon to conduct a straw poll of board members as to whether they would bear the cost of an outside attorney at today’s meeting, and all but one said they didn’t want to pay for it. That board member did not want to be identified, Niekamp said.

Niekamp said he has consulted with several attorneys about the issues before the School Board.

“I just felt like we needed some outside attorney for the whole School Board,” he said. “As you know, I made a motion to remove Dennis Gorman and his law firm, and so I wanted to have another attorney present.”

Niekamp says he does not want to spend the money to get legal representation for him personally.

If he is challenged in the court, he said James Carlock has promised that people in the School District will bear the expense.

“I’m relying on that,” he said.

Niekamp sent an e-mail to School Board members, Lemon and legal counsel Dennis Gorman at approximately 3 p.m. Wednesday. The same e-mail was forwarded to members of the local news media at approximately 9:30 a.m. Thursday. The text of the letter follows:

“We have several pressing and important issues ahead of us, the next couple of months, Our board will be under the micro scope and much criticism from the public. I am asking everyone, on the board, to try and bring professional decisions and to do the best we can do, to continue having the best education, as in the past. This will set a good example for our students and school district. I am asking we set aside our differences and put them behind us and get on with the business at hand. There is a saying ‘Together we stand divided we fall’ I feel a board divided will fall and can not conduct business, or work for the best of all concerned.

“I would like to throw my hat in the ring to support Bill Daniels as Vice-President Thursday, July 2. Bill has the expertise since he has negotiated contracts, instrumental in insurance and been Chairman of the Finance Committee. I feel he would be a perfect fit. Bill is respected by everyone and this is what our board needs at this trying time. I feel Bill and I could work very well together.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Melvin J. “Bud” Niekamp
President, Quincy School Board 172