Robert "Bob" Brandt
Trustee - Village of Woodridge (2003-2007)
Action 2003 Page:
December 31, 2003 - I asked what the Police Department does differently (if anything) when the Terror Alert is raised from yellow to orange and what that costs.
UPDATE: Click here for a memorandum stating there are some notifications made to our department but no additional costs incurred yet.
December 26, 2003 - I sent a note of thanks to the 18 Woodridge residents who applied, but were not appointed, to the vacancy on the Woodridge Village Board.
December 24, 2003 - I sent a congratulatory note to the 7 Woodridge residents who placed in the 15th annual Christmas House Decorating Contest sponsored by the Woodridge Special Events Committee.
December 22, 2003 - I objected to the appointment of former Trustee Chet Szerlag to the vacancy on the Board caused by the resignation of Trustee Bob Murphy. Click here for my Press Release. Click here for the Woodridge Press Release. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Click here for Chet's response to my objection. He was appointed by a 3-1 vote (Trustee Kagann was absent). Click here for a Letter to the Editor from Chet's spouse.
December 12, 2003 - My wife and I attended the Village Holiday Party and I presented an award to one of the Woodridge Employees of the Year.
December 9, 2003 - My family and I attended the annual "Bells & Jingles" Puppet Show at the Woodridge Public Library.
December 8, 2003 - I asked how quickly the Village would recover the $100,000 cost for a special census. Click here for my email and response.
UPDATE: The Village should recover the cost in five months.
December 8, 2003 - I wrote a letter to U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert asking if she supports the ban on assault weapons. (also see My Campaign Promises page). Click here for another letter I sent to Rep. Biggert.
UPDATE: Click here for her reply (she is against the ban - I think).
December 7, 2003 - I asked the Village Administator to follow-up with a resident who was not receiving Village services. (see RITS21)
December 6, 2003 - I asked if our police department was affected by the alleged defective bulletproof vests mentioned in this newspaper article.
UPDATE: Yes, our police department is affected. The vests are being replaced expeditiously with the company's cooperation.
December 5, 2003 - My family and I attended the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Town Centre where I sponsored a Christmas Tree from the Woodridge Special Events Committee.
November 30, 2003 - My family and I attended the Hospitality Day parade in Downers Grove and saw Santa Claus.
November 15, 2003 - I proposed to ban assault weapons in Woodridge (the federal ban expires in September 2004). Click on My Campaign Promises page to follow my proposal.
November 14, 2003 - I sent an email applauding Wilmette President Canafax and the tough anti-smoking ordinance recently passed in Wilmette. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Click here for my email and her reply.
November 8, 2003 - I attended a fundraiser at AMF Lanes in Bolingbrook for Matthew Etheridge, a Woodridge child who died after years of health struggles. Click here for a newspaper article and donation form.
November 8, 2003 - I sent an email to County Board Members Michael McMahon, Tom Bennington, and Kyle Gilgis; and Forest Preserve Commissioner Wally Brown urging them not to move the Sheriff's firing range and auto impound lot to Woodridge. Click here to send your own email. I have also corresponded with several Woodridge residents pledging my support to defeat these proposals. Click here to follow the issue.
UPDATE: Neither the Sheriff's firing range nor the impound lot will be placed in Woodridge. But will there a private shooting range be somewhere in DuPage County?
UPDATE: Click here for responses from my three County Board Members;
Forest Preserve Commissioner Wally Brown called to say he would follow the issue closely.
November 6, 2003 - I attended a three-hour "goal-setting session" with the other members of the Board and 25 Village staff members. I introduced my remaining 2003 Campaign Promises at the meeting.
November 6, 2003 - I responded to a resident about village services to their home (see RITS 21)
October 18, 2003 - My family and I went to the Tri-State Fire Protection District Open House in Willowbrook where we saw Woodridge Police Dog Udo and his handler Officer Bob Chrusciel.
October 16, 2003 - I attended my 2nd "neighborhood dialogue" at Meadowview School.
October 16, 2003 - I sent a congratulatory note to the 22 Woodridge residents who ran 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon (I was not among them!).
October 9, 2003 - At tonight's Board Meeting, I stated that the yearly Village audit showed that the Police Pension Fund was underfunded by $8,151,384 over the past four years.
UPDATE: Click here for the meeting minutes.
October 7, 2003 - In response to the yearly Audit, I asked if Seven Bridges or Village Greens have returned a profit to the Village (both golf courses are owned by the Village)
UPDATE: Seven Bridges has been profitable, just not in 2002. Village Greens has been profitable for at least the past four years. Click here for a report.
October 6, 2003 - I corresponded with a resident who inquired about solicitors. (see RITS15)
October 6, 2003 - I corresponded with a resident who inquired about Seven Bridges. (see RITS14)
October 2, 2003 - I asked why one of our police cars travelled all the way past Deerfield Rd. on I-294 (I work in Highland Park).
UPDATE: Deputy Chief Schnibben reported that the police officer processed a prisoner in Gurnee from an arrest warrant issued in Woodridge.
October 2, 2003 - I participated in the Annual Town Meeting, which is an excellent opportunity to address specific questions formulated by Village staff. PHOTO
September 29, 2003 - I sent a postcard to 117 neighbors alerting them to several burglaries to motor vehicles in the neighborhood.
September 28, 2003 - I faxed a personal letter to Rep. Lyons and Senator Radogno asking them to give municipalities the ability to regulate smoking. Did you know that smoking killed 5,000,000 people in 2000?
UPDATE: Sen. Radogno called me and supports the legislation - Rep. Lyons would prefer to "let the public vote with their feet." (Of course, that doesn't protect employees who are forced to breathe second-hand smoke.) Click here for a Letter to the Editor.
September 24, 2003 - I responded to 28 residents who raised concerns in the 2003 Community Needs Survey.
UPDATE: I've met with two residents personally and followed with with several others.
September 22, 2003 - I inquired about vandalism in a park and a rash of car break-ins in my neighborhood and asked whether manpower for police patrols was adequate.
UPDATE: Police patrol manpower met shift minimums that night.
September 20, 2003 - I inquired whether the Police Department referred victims of domestic abuse to Family Shelter Services.
UPDATE: Yes, they do. There were 161 incidents of domestic violence in Woodridge in 2002.
September 20, 2003 - I attended the Saturday session of the 90th Annual Illinois Municipal League conference in Chicago. Click here for a press release.
UPDATE: Click here for an Editorial.
September 17, 2003 - I corresponded with a resident who proposed an idea for reducing gun crime in Woodridge. (A11)
September 13, 2003 - I walked 5 miles in one hour and fifteen minutes for the "Hike & Bike for Mike" Michael David Samel Spirit of Music Fund. Click here for more information.
September 11, 2003 - At tonight's meeting, my colleagues presented me with a card for my 34th birthday.
September 5, 2003 - I asked for further details on an aggravated assault involving a .45 caliber handgun. Click here for my letter and response from the Police Department.
UPDATE: There was a M-14 rifle and a Colt .380 handgun involved also.
August 29, 2003 - I inquired whether a 2% discount incentive for residents to participate in the direct debit water bill program.
UPDATE: In a October 17th memo, Finance Director Christine Tromp reported the cost would be $84,000 yearly with minimal benefits to the Village.
August 27, 2003 - I volunteered at the 4th Annual "Back to School Bash" welcoming 6th, 7th and 8th graders back to school.
August 16, 2003 - I corresponded with a resident who had a concern about driving sight-lines and a "Welcome to Woodridge" sign. (A10)
August 16, 2003 - I gave 1 pint of blood in six minutes at a blood drive sponsored by the St. Scholastica Council of Catholic Women and Heartland Blood Centers.
August 15, 2003 - I went on my 2nd citizen ride-along with the Woodridge Police. A little more action this time but further reassurance that the Police Department does a great job.
August 14, 2003 - I corresponded with a resident who raised several concerns at tonight's Board Meeting. (A9)
August 14, 2003 - At the request of a resident, I proposed that the Village coordinate efforts with the Library to install a water fountain at Town Centre (see RITS12)
August 12, 2003 - I joined other members of the Village Board and the Plan Commission on a 2-hour tour of the Village narrated by Village staff.
August 3, 2003 - I inquired whether the Village was planning to regulate motorized scooters. Many communities have banned them for safety reasons.
UPDATE: The Police Department is going to review current ordinances and take a comprehensive look at ordinances affecting bicycle paths as well.
August 2, 2003 - I attended the all-Village Garage sale at Echo Point Park and found several bargains.
July 27, 2003 - I inquired whether ice cream trucks are licensed or monitored by the Village in any way. I witnessed some suspicious behavior by one of the drivers.
UPDATE: The Village licenses ice cream vendors under 3-5A-3 of the Code. Inspection certifications, as appropriate, are required and the Police Department does background checks.
July 20, 2003 - I inquired whether a $510.95 repair to a police car was due to a pursuit or an arrest and if so, whether the Village pursues reimbursement from the arrestee..
UPDATE: The repair was not due to a pursuit or an arrest. The Village does pursue reimbursement for damage when it is cost effective.
July 18, 2003 - I proposed tougher ordinances to make our community safer from vicious and dangerous dogs. (see My Campaign Promises)
July 13, 2003 - I corresponded with a resident who came to the Village Board meeting with an issue with a local business.
UPDATE: I have continually updated the resident regarding the issue.
July 11, 2003 - At the request of a neighbor, I asked the Park District about adding a drinking fountain to Westminster Park. (see RITS11)
July 4, 2003 - At the request of a resident, I asked to check into bringing back free Amnesty Day for garbage and adding an Amnesty Day for brush, tree limbs, etc. (see RITS10)
July 4, 2003 - I volunteered at the Beer Tent at the 35th Annual Village of Woodridge Fourth of July Picnic sponsored by the Woodridge Special Events Committee.
June 29, 2003 - I proposed that we establish a Youth Village Board to get young people involved in local government. Click here for more details.
UPDATE: A Youth Master Plan should be completed in September 2003.
June 28, 2003 - I attended the "Bike Path Kickoff" at Echo Point Park.
June 21, 2003 - I volunteered on behalf of the Village Board at the Beer Tent at the 20th Anniversary Woodridge Jubilee. My wife and daughter joined me afterwards and we stayed for food and fun.
June 20, 2003 - I wrote a letter of congratulations to Woodridge resident Bruce Whiteside for placing 2nd in the 2003 "Built by Hand" Vermont American Tool Co. Contest. (A8)
June 14, 2003 - I attended the annual Woodridge Silent Auction at the Public Works Garage (didn't win anything). Please note - there were a lot of stolen, unclaimed bicyles there. Please contact the Police Department for information on how to keep your bike safe.
June 13, 2003 - I asked the Police Department to follow-up with a comment from a resident on a Citizen Satisfaction Survey reply card about cars parking across sidewalks.
UPDATE: The resident did not put their return address on the postcard so the Police Department was unable to respond (69 citations for "parking across the sidewalk" were issued in 2002, 41 in 2001, 154 in 2000).
UPDATE: No other Board Members agreed with me so my objection was "overruled."
June 4, 2003 - I asked to proclaim June 21, 2003 "ASK Day" in Woodridge. ASK is sponsored by www.pax.com and encourages parents to ask "Is there a gun where my child plays?" Click here for a printable poster. Click here for the ASK Parents' Help Kit.
UPDATE: June 21st is proclaimed "Firearm Safety Day."
June 3, 2003 - I asked to review Woodridge Ordinance 6-7-4(b) and the denial of Eisenhower Junior High Band's fundraising at 75th & Lemont. (A7)
UPDATE: The band has not shown that they meet the State of Illinois requirements for solicitation on municipal streets.
May 30, 2003 - I asked for clarification regarding e-mails between Board Members and the Open Meetings Act.
UPDATE: The Village Attorney has advised to avoid using "reply-to-all" with email between Board Members to avoid problems. Click here for a memorandum.
May 29 and May 30, 2003 - I attended a "newly elected officials" conference presented by the Illinois Municipal League in Rosemont, IL.
May 29, 2003 - I had breakfast with Mayor Murphy and Village Administrator John Perry to review my first month in office.
May 26, 2003 - It was an honor to march in the Woodridge VFW Post 1578 Memorial Day Parade to remember the over 600,000 American soldiers who have died in foreign wars since WWI..
May 26, 2003 - At the request of a neighbor, I asked for the rules and regulations for skateboarder/rollerbladers and dogs for Westminster Park. (see RITS8)
May 21, 2003 - I was a speaker at the Center Cass area Neighborhood Dialogue at Village Greens golf club. Click here for my script and the minutes from the meeting.
May 16, 2003 - I sent a follow-up letter and information to a new resident who inquired about sound barriers for I-55. (A4)
May 14, 2003 - I responded to a Letter to the Editor from an unincorporated DuPage County resident regarding the Suburban Estates contaminated water situation. (A3)
May 8, 2003 - I sent a personal letter to State Rep. Eileen Lyons applauding her sponsorship of HB 184 which would protect citizens from vicious dogs (see Tracking 3).
May 8, 2003 - I sent a request to link the state and county sex offender lists to the Woodridge website and also post sex offender information gathered by the Woodridge Police Department (see My Campaign Promises).
May 8, 2003 - My first official board meeting. I think I said four words - "here," "aye," "aye," and "aye." It was a very routine meeting that lasted around 30 minutes.
May 4, 2003 - At the request of a neighbor, I asked for the status on the Woodridge Tree Preservation ordinance. (see RITS7)
May 2, 2003 - I have sent several letters personally to my state legislators urging them to vote against HB 3402 which is DuPage County Chairman Bob Schillerstrom's attempt to take over the DuPage Water Commission and it's million's of dollars in reserves and revenue (see Tracking 3).
April 30, 2003 - I could not participate in the annual "Drive to Springfield" where our village officials go to Springfield to discuss topics pertaining to Woodridge with our legislators. However, I gave two topics to Mayor Murphy to bring up on my behalf -
(1) constructing a sound barrier in the northeast quadrant of I-55 and I-355; and (2) enact a statewide smoking ban or amend the Illinois Clean Indoor Air Act to allow municipalities to ban smoking on their own (see My Campaign Promises).
April 27, 2003 - The official inauguration ceremony at Woodridge Village Hall. Click here for my Oath of Office. Click here to see a photo.
April 27, 2003 - At the request of a neighbor, I asked if something could be done about bushes and weeds that block drivers vision at Westminster & Heritage Parkway. (see RITS6)
April 26, 2003 - At the request of two residents, I asked for a traffic study and traffic control for the intersection of Westminster and Charing Cross. There is new development and a new park at that intersection and several accidents have occurred there. (see RITS5)
April 24, 2003 - I followed up with a resident who had comments / suggestions about a nuisance complaint. (A2)
UPDATE: The resident replied to me that they were pleased with the follow-up of Village officials to their inquiry.
April 23, 2003 - I met with Village Administrator John Perry for three hours to review hundred's of pages of documents that he provided to me regarding the Village.
April 22, 2003 - I followed-up with a resident that requested to be appointed to a Board or Commission and referred him to my April 18th correspondence with Mayor Murphy. (A1)
April 18, 2003 - I sent a personal letter to Mayor Murphy objecting to the re-appointment of 12 positions on Village Boards and Commissions and the appointment of his 2 candidates who lost on April 1st to a Village Commission without making any of the positions open to the public (see My Campaign Promises).
April 14, 2003 - I attended my first "State of the Village" address.
April 11, 2003 - I wrote a personal letter to my state legislators protesting proposed legislation to de-annex a portion of land from Lemont School District 133A to Center Cass School District 66. (see Tracking 3)
April 11, 2003 - I receive an information packet about two inches thick from the Village every Friday briefing me on the past / pending week's activities.
April 9, 2003 - I wrote a personal letter to Illinois Rep. Annazette Collins supporting her proposed legislation to ban indoor smoking in Illinois. (see Tracking 3)
April 1, 2003 - I was elected as a Trustee for the Village of Woodridge for a four-year term. Click here to see some letters of congratulations that I have received.
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