Robert "Bob" Brandt
Trustee - Village of Woodridge (2003-2007)
Action 2007 Page:
April 17, 2007 - This page will be archived as of today. I will be tracking new issues on my Tracking page.
April 14, 2007 - My daughter and I helped "Clean Up The Park" at our local park sponsored by the Woodridge Park District. The cold weather (38 degrees) cut teh afternoon short).
April 11, 2007 - I attended the annual State of the Village address with nearly 200 other Woodridge residents, business leaders and elected officials.
April 6, 2007 - I inquired if the Village would be asking for reimbursement for costs incurred in dealing with the diesel spill that closed Internationale Parkway off of Lemont.
UPDATE: Most of the clean-up costs are being paid for by the trucking company. Village expenses are being tracked and we will ask for reimbursement.
April 5, 2007 - At tonight's final budget meeting, I made the following inquiries:
1. Additional surveillance cameras for public parks - each camera costs $8,500 plus $3,420 a year. There has been $4,000 in damage to Woodridge parks this year, $29,000 in 2006, $42,400 in 2005. But it's not just these vandalism dollars that will be reduced with additional cameras, it's the peace of mind for residents knowing the police can instantly look in on a park if there is a problem. The police department will re-evaluate next year.
2. Channel 16 for District 99 use. I want our residents to be able to view District 99 programs and live events just like Downers Grove residents can. We do pay for each public channel we use. And apparantly there is a risk of losing the channels if not enough original programming is put on them. I still want to figure out a way to make this work.
3. Park Zones. We can now designate streets adjacent to parks as "park zones" and enforce a 20 MPH speed limit with a $300 fine to help keep our kids safe. I know several parks (including Westminster Park) that would be perfect for this. Public Works will look into this for next year.
March 28, 2007 - I attended a candidates forum for District 68 and District 99 at the Seven Bridges Golf Club.
UPDATE: The evening was mainly about the District 99 candidates. There are 8 candidates to choose for 3 open positions. I have posted more information here.
March 28, 2007 - A resident contacted me to ask who was in charge of maintaining the wetlands behind her house (RITS71).
March 25, 2007 - After a semi-truck accident at Lemont Rd. & Internationale Pkwy, which was the second in a couple weeks, I inquired if the intersection required some re-engineering to make it safer.
UPDATE: Both accidents were driver-error but the intersection will be evaluated again.
March 25, 2007 - A resident contacted me regarding problems with dogs at her children's bus stop (RITS70).
March 17, 2007 - I sent a note to Woodridge resident John Naisbitt congratulating him for being named a Golden Apple finalist for outstanding teaching. Click here for an article.
March 16, 2007 - I requested that the Village and Park District fast-track the purchase of additional surveillance cameras in response to vandalism reports at two park sites. The cost of each camera is $8,500 plus $3,420 a year.
UPDATE: The police department currently has 2 cameras that they share with the Park District. Once the bugs are worked out, the promise to re-evaluate.
March 13, 2007 - A resident contacted me regarding the Rizzi landscape waste dump and transfer station (see RITS69).
March 3, 2007 - I asked the Police Department to put all Uniform Reporting Crimes on a map so we could see graphically where various crimes occur. For example, murder would be a red dot, sexual assault would be an orange dot, robbery would be a yellow dot, and so on.
UPDATE: This map should be produced by the end of the year.
March 3, 2007 - I attended a four-hour meeting with key staff members and elected officials to begin the budget process. This was the first of several meetings / workshops that will be held on the budget.
February 28, 2007 - I inquired how the $1,010.49 paid by a Woodridge business for selling tobacco to a minor was broken down i.e. how much to Village attorneys, how much to the Village, etc. I made a similar inquiry about 4 businesses that sold alcohol to minors in February.
UPDATE: Given the miniscule amount paid to the Village, I inquired if the rate should be raised. After consideration, the Village portion will be raised to $100.00.
UPDATE: Village Attorney = $478.50; Village Prosecutor = $315.00; court reporter = $166.99; Village Clerk = $50.00
February 27, 2007 - I inquired if there was anything that could be done regarding substantial water runoff on Janes Ave near Center Dr. that gets icy and slippery during the winter.
UPDATE: The runoff is from the vacant lot that should be remedied when the lot is developed.
February 26, 2007 - A resident from un-incorporated Downers Grove (surrounded by Woodridge) contacted me about help with cars parked on the street during a snowfall (see RITS68).
February 25, 2007 - I inquired about 5 payments, each over $1,000, paid out by the Village on insurance claims.
UPDATE: Three were property damage claims (which we will pursue reimbursement), one was a workers compensation claim, one was a hit-and-run property damage (can't be pursued).
February 25, 2007 - I inquired if the Police Department's plan to exchange their current service firearms for SigArms firearms (instead of Smith & Wesson, for example) was because SigArms was the only company that would pay for our trade-in firearms or if SigArms were quality firearms.
UPDATE: The Police Chief replied that if money was no object, SigArms would be the firearm of choice. So the fact that they would accept trade-in firearms to help pay for the new firearms (which cost $1,049 apiece) was a bonus.
February 24, 2007 - I attended the "Snowflake Ball" with my first-grade daughter at Elizabeth Ide school.
February 24, 2007 - I proposed that Woodridge consider an ordinance requiring dog owners to remain on the scene of biting incidents. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE:
February 24, 2007 - I inquired if Woodridge was considering red light cameras for particularly dangerous intersections. I am in favor of red light cameras.
UPDATE: There are jurisdictional issues for intersections that border other towns or involve county roads plus there is substantial expenses for the cameras. So far, the benefit of potentially reducing accidents is not out-weighed by the costs involved.
February 16, 2007 - A resident emailed me regarding backup problems they were having with their sewer system. They suspected the problems might have been present before their recent purchase (see RITS67).
February 14, 2007 - I encourage the Village Administrator to have staff attend an upcoming meeting coordinated by Hindale Police and Schools on efforts to stop teen drinking. Click here for newspaper articles, click here for another article.
UPDATE: Village staff will evaluate if the program will be an effective use of resources.
February 13, 2007 - I attended a meeting to prepare for the Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report (POWER) test that I am taking in April. All police officers must pass this basic fitness test.
UPDATE: I will do some basic training in an attempt to pass the test in April.
February 9, 2007 - I sent a congratulatory note to Woodridge resident Kim Ashley for winning a national organizing contest sponsored by Dymo. Click here for an article.
February 1, 2007 - At tonight's Board Meeting, I asked Village staff to determine what Woodridge has to do in order to activate Channel 16 for programming (live and taped) from Community High School District 99 (see RITS64). Click here for the minutes.
UPDATE: The issue wll be considered in April's budget discussions.
January 31, 2007 - I went late to a Neighborhood Dialogue at Sipley School but the doors were locked and I couldn't get in. I expressed my concern to the Village Administrator that perhaps some residents who were late were similarly unable to get in.
UPDATE: School staff was instructed to leave the doors open but they were locked by accident.
January 28, 2007 - I wrote a note to District 99 Superintendent David Eblen congratulating him on his announced retirement. Click here for a newspaper article. Dr. Eblen was my high school principal 20 years ago.
January 26, 2007 - I sent a request to the Village Administrator to make the Village Board Room a wi-fi "hot spot" so that Board members and audience members can use laptops during meetings.
UPDATE: Power and data ports are available on the dais for board members.
January 20, 2007 - I wrote a note supporting College of DuPage Trustee Jane Herron who abruptly resigned from the COD Board of Trustees. Click here for a newspaper article.
January 20, 2007 - I took the "Change a Light, Change the World" pledge (see www.energystar.gov) and installed a 150 watt equivalent (42 watts actual) light that I purchased at Home Depot for $9.97 in our family room that will last 9 years and save $108 in energy costs. If everyone changed just one light bulb to an Energy Star light, the electricity saved would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by millions of pounds.
January 18, 2007 - The sound system in the Board Room was upgraded during the holiday break. It is much improved. I requested that the recording of all Board Meetings be posted on the village website so residents can listen to Board Meetings (which has been one of my campaign promises since 2003).
UPDATE: Staff is waiting for direction from the entire Board on this issue. I believe it would be beneficial to have audio of Board meetings, as well as Plan Commission meetings, posted on the website.
January 14, 2007 - I proposed that the Village do whatever we need to do to enable residents to view District 99's cable channel. Click here for a Letter to the Editor (see RITS64 also)
January 8, 2007 - I sent a newspaper article to the Village Administrator about Lombard instituting Administrative Adjudication, which enables residents to contest tickets in Lombard at night or on the weekend, instead of going to the county courthouse in Wheaton, and enables the city to retain more fine revenue. (Note: The police chief in Lombard is former Woodridge Trustee Ray Byrne).
UPDATE: I have proposed re-instituting Administrative Adjudication in Woodridge in 2003, 2004 and 2005 (see my Campaign Promises page). The costs continue to outweight any benefit to the Village or its residents.
January 6, 2007 - I sent a newspaper article to the Village Administrator regarding the Naperville Police Department and the statistic that their overtime actually increased after going to 12-hour patrols (instead of 8-hour patrols). Woodridge recently changed over to 12-hour patrols.
January 3, 2007 - I asked the Village Administrator to investigate creating "park safety zones" which would impose a $250 fine for speeding around Woodridge parks. Click here for a newspaper article on the effort in Bolingbrook.
UPDATE: The Park District is aware of the ordinance and will consider it.
January 1, 2007 - I sent an article to the Village Administrator about the new state law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in every home and encouraged a public information campaign for residents and apartment owners in Woodridge. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: The Village has sent notices to residents.
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