A rather fascinating story out of Fairview Heights about the importance of seating arrangements. I have to admit it is a nice change of pace from the usual St. Clair County Hijinks. The beginning reminds me of Peter Gabriel’s Games Without Frontiers
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Lydia won’t sit next to Pat. Pat won’t move. And Harvey doesn’t want to talk about it.
What started with one city alderman’s desire to change seats last month evolved into a public spat that has been the talk of the City Council as much as any item on its agenda.
"You read things about this in other areas and think it doesn’t happen, but apparently it does," said Ward 5 Alderman Bonnie Crosley, a City Council newcomer. "I think that there are a lot more pressing issues to address."
Ward 3 Alderman Pat Baeske made the seat-switch to a vacated spot next to fellow Ward 3 Alderman Lydia Cruez before the City Council meeting on May 6.
"It should not be a big deal," Baeske said. "I could never see when someone gave a presentation. After four years, I decided I wanted another seat."
The action provoked City Clerk Harvey Noubarian to try to switch the seats back — a move that resulted in a public debate with Baeske over the issue before the meeting started. The exchange caught the attention of the public in attendance.
"Some business developers and chamber members were sitting in the public area laughing at these proceedings," said Charles Kassly, who attended the meeting and wrote to Mayor Gail Mitchell about it. "The council meeting that followed was tense and strained at best."
Cruez, who has sat in the same seat for 22 years, moved to the other side of the room during the seating arrangement drama. "It was not a big deal to me," Cruez said. "I moved because I don’t think two aldermen from the same ward should sit side-by-side."
The confusion continued May 19 when no name placards were present and again on Tuesday when all the placards were set out in one place, allowing aldermen to place them where they wanted. Baeske returned to the seat she took last month.
When asked about the city’s rules on seating arrangements, Noubarian said, "There is no rule." He declined further comment about the affair.
"I just think it blew out of proportion and I don’t think there’s any controversy anymore," Ward 1 Alderman Gil Klein said. "I think it’s going to blow over and there’s a lot more bigger issues that we need to discuss."