This blog just marked its third anniversary, which I’ve decided to observe by sharing some of my experiences as a hyperlocal blogger –- experiences that have prompted me to reach out to the larger journalism community for support and to hire an attorney to look out for my rights. I’ve decided to bring you in [...]
Entries Tagged as '2007 election'
A meeting not to miss
September 11th, 2009 · 3 Comments · 2007 election, 2009 election, District 99
Among the items to be discussed at the D99 school board workshop meeting Monday, Sept. 14, is a request by member Deborah Boyle to broadcast the board’s meetings. This has been a big issue for me, and for others in the community, for years. With inexpensive technology now making it both easy and cost effective [...]
Too cozy?
March 6th, 2009 · 122 Comments · 2007 election, 2009 election, District 58, District 99, Park District, Village Council
It’s perfectly legal, but is it perfectly ethical? When it comes to village, park district or school district employees and campaign contributions, how close is too close? Campaign finance and ethics reform have been hot topics in Downers Grove since 2007, when the size and provenance of former mayor Brian Krajewski’s war chest became a [...]
Tags: campaign finance
Candidate watch: Final
January 27th, 2009 · 1 Comment · 2007 election, 2009 election, District 58, District 99, Park District, Village Council
Fred Gusel, filed for the Downers Grove Park Board before yesterday’s deadline, bringing to four the number of candidates that will appear on the park district ballot April 7. That means contested elections will be the norm this campaign season. Here, in alphabetical order, is the round-up: Downers Grove Park Board (two seats) Janet Barr [...]
Tags:
Deck the hall?
January 23rd, 2009 · 3 Comments · 2007 election, Downtown Redevelopment, Features, Fire and police, TCD 3, Village Council, Village Hall, Village Manager
After years of delays and deferrals, it looks like the Village Council is setting the stage for a decision on the future of Village Hall. The outdated structure is the top priority on this year’s strategic plan and has been on the council’s radar since at least 2006. Consultant PSA-Dewberry presented a Facility Needs Assessments [...]
Tags:
Granted
January 21st, 2009 · 3 Comments · 2007 election, Boards and Commissions, Community Events, Village Council
Seventeen local organizations will be awarded a total of $79,519 in grants this year following the council’s Jan. 20 approval of the Community Grants Commission’s recommendations. Fifteen of the recipients also qualified for grants last year. Only two, the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation and the After Hours Film Society, are new [...]
Tags:
Winter by the numbers
January 21st, 2009 · Comments Off · 2007 election, Public Works, Village Council
Just in case you haven’t noticed what kind of winter we’ve been having: Typical snowfall as of 1/20: 18 inches Snowfall as of 1/20/08: 19 inches Snowfall as of 1/20/09: 41 inches Total snowfall, Winter 2007-08: 60 inches Amount of salt purchased Winter 2006-07: 4,700 tons Amount of salt used Winter 2007-08: 6,700 tons Amount [...]
Tags:
Without a trace?
April 22nd, 2008 · 12 Comments · 2007 election, Local politics
One of our town’s most successful political organizations of recent years seems to be defunct — or at least its Web site is. The Downers Grove Community Advocates site, formerly located at www.dgcadvocates.org, no longer exists. But what about the organization? The Advocates were (are?) a very respected and well-connected group of community leaders including [...]
Tags:
Invoking the voters
September 26th, 2007 · 33 Comments · 2007 election, Village Council
I always get a little nervous when I hear elected officials reference the will of the people when proposing new legislation. It’s because representing the majority position is what good government is supposed to be about, but so seldom really is. How many times have you heard a president claim a holy mandate when less [...]
Tags: