Joseph Thomas Gatrell

To the Best of Their Recollections Joseph Thomas Gatrell

The idea was for there to be only one political history book about Blue Island. It was to begin in 1937 when a leadership vacuum enabled John M. Hart to bluster onto the scene. It was to end during the last term of Donald E. Peloquin, who may be the most misunderstood and underrated mayor in Blue Island history. During the research and writing, I realized there was too much information - if there is such abundance for this genre - and that our history was best retold in parts. After coming to this realization, I discovered that modern Blue Island politics began with the emergence of Paul T. Klenk and that there was quantity information for mayors beginning with Richard W. Withers. Eventually it was decided there should be three volumes. With the publication of Volume II, we are two-thirds of the way home.