Posted by markthoman on May 15, 2008
I talked about the two cell towers coming before council in A Packed Agenda. The Plan Commission voted unanimously to forward a negative recommendation on both towers.
The village council, however, is damned if they do, and damned if they don’t, and really has no choice.
Posted in cell towers, elected officials, government | 16 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on May 10, 2008
If you ever wanted to see what a village council meeting is like in person, this coming Tuesday would be a prime night.
Posted in development, elected officials, government, housing | 4 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on May 2, 2008
Posted in elected officials, government, transparency | 7 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on April 25, 2008
Updated at 10:40 after I had time to think about this.
Elaine Johnson broke it on DGreport Wednesday morning after everyone noticed Tuesday night the absence of Village Manager Cara Pavlicek:
she has been placed on a one-week, paid administrative leave. Communications director Doug Kozlowski confirmed the action, but declined further comment saying, in an e-mail, that “it is our policy to not discuss employee issues.” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in elected officials, government | 7 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on April 21, 2008
This is our governor, Gov. Blago. A lot of people do not like Gov. Blago. He is trying to pass a $25 billion Illinois Works capital bill. He doesn’t quite know how to pay for it, but he would like to sell 80% of our lottery to get part of it.
Our DG officials have worked hard to get $8.5 million for the Belmont Underpass slotted into this bill. Right now, the Belmont Underpass will not happen if Illinois Works does not happen.
Posted in elected officials, ethics, government, infrastructure | 3 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on April 15, 2008
“The purpose of the board is to set and monitor the school district budget, review and amend district policies and hire the district superintendent.”
Elaine Johnson has also weighed in over at DGreport with her in-depth analysis of the whole thing.
Tonight the SB58 meeting was packed. I got there late and watched from the hallway, and caught bits and pieces. These folks need to speak up. Didn’t they learn good diction in school?
Posted in elected officials, ethics, government, school board | 7 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on April 3, 2008
Rupert Borgsmiller called and emailed me yesterday with some sense of urgency that I call him back, giving me his direct line phone number.
I know, I know: who the heck is Rupert Borgsmiller? Mr. Borgsmiller is one of the most important state officials you don’t know: he is the Director of the Campaign Disclosure Division of the Illinois Board of Elections, the state watchdog of campaign finance transparency.
So I called him…
Posted in campaign contributions, elected officials, ethics | 2 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on April 1, 2008
Posted in budget, elected officials, flooding, government, infrastructure | No Comments »
Posted by markthoman on March 29, 2008
Update:
Mark:
Thanks for the inquiry, it has always been our intention to place a
podcast/MP3 file of this meeting on the Village website.If you have any other questions, please let me know.
Cara Pavlicek
Village Manager
Despite a light agenda for this Tuesday’s meeting, staff scheduled the village council to meet this Monday at 6pm in the Committee Room:
Posted in budget, elected officials, flooding, government, public works | 3 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on March 29, 2008
The Illinois Board of Election has redesigned their website to enhance the user experience and make it easier than ever to access information.
In the process, you now getting incorrect information sometimes.
Reduced transparency of campaign information? What is going on here?
Posted in campaign contributions, elected officials, ethics | 2 Comments »
Posted by markthoman on March 29, 2008
Malfeasance: Misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official.
The County Board met Wednesday in a special session to divy up the goodies provided by Gov. Blago’s sales tax kick to the groin of Illinois retail commerce. That swift kick that punishes us all for an incompetently run RTA supposedly adds millions for transportation purposes. Since King Bob was right by Blago’s side whispering in his ear for the now famous “and public safety” clause, DuPage County will not be spending any of that newly minted money on transportation projects.
Where will King Bob and his yes men legions will spend $20 million this year, and $40 million starting next year?
Posted in budget, county, elected officials, ethics, government, infrastructure | No Comments »
Posted by markthoman on March 26, 2008
Nicolay and Dart LLC were hired after a quick waive of the one week waiting period. This allows the lobby firm to be under contract when the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference descend on Springfield in April 8 & 9. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in budget, elected officials, infrastructure | 1 Comment »
Posted by markthoman on March 21, 2008
Tuesday the village council will workshop hiring a lobbying firm based in Springfield to help convince IDOT, the legislature, and other needed entities that DG should get the $8.5 million out of state so we can start the Belmont underpass.
And to maybe end run DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, who made his position clear: he wasn’t about to help with any of “his” millions.
Posted in budget, development, elected officials, infrastructure, muni code | No Comments »
Posted by markthoman on March 19, 2008
After a half year of asking and being ignored, the Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DGACOCAI) Legislative Council met Monday with DuPage County Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom, looking to get a commitment that part of the $20 million in newly minted sales tax revenues ($40 million next year) could help move the Belmont Avenue underpass forward.
Mayor Sandack and Commissioner Waldack reported on funding efforts at the Council meeting, and several others verified what went on at the Monday meeting, mainly: it’s good to be King (Bob)… Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in budget, development, elected officials, government, streets | 1 Comment »
Posted by markthoman on March 7, 2008
For staff who wants it put off because they are just too busy, they sure got busy in just one week. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in development, elected officials, infrastructure, trees | 1 Comment »
Posted by markthoman on February 14, 2008
Note: This started as an offshoot of discussions and postings here and at DGreport.com. I specifically would like to thank everyone who participated with questions, whether I used them or not.
We all can have different opinions, but in the end we all have something akin to affection for the village we live in: that is why we care, and that is why we share common ground.
Mayor Sandack, thank you for participating in this on-line interview, and let’s jump right in. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in blogging, blogs, elected officials, flooding, government, infrastructure | 4 Comments »
The current agenda for tonight’s meeting includes the updated slides. There is one bullet point on the very bottom of page 4 that is not correct. It was an informative meeting, and I would urge everyone with an interest in knowing what is happening for the largest assumption of village debt ever to listen to the MP3 podcast file when it is posted.
Read the rest of this entry »