Many elected officials stay away from clarity and substance, because
when you put out real ideas and real proposals, people can disagree
with you. But if you are serious about leadership, like I am, it's the
Effective April 30, 2007, I am no longer a Trustee for the Village of Woodridge. This page will be archived as of that date.
ALL OF THE PROMISES BELOW WERE MADE DURING MY 2007 CAMPAIGN FOR WOODRIDGE TRUSTEE:
I will work to keep Woodridge an affordable place to live and raise a family.
Taxes have a way of creeping up every year. A few dollars here for this taxing body, a few dollars there for another taxing body. The Woodridge portion of your property tax bill is only around 4% of your total bill (most of your bill is for education). But we can continue to do our best to keep our taxes low while providing quality services.
I will work to provide more streetlights for residents who request them
Many neighborhoods have inadequate street lighting. The need for additional streetlighting is #1 “need” on the annual Community Needs Survey this year, and has been in the top five for the past ten years. It is time that this issue receives the priority attention it deserves.
I will work to increase manpower, reduce the patrol beat size, and increase police presence in all neighborhoods.
The Woodridge Police Department is stretched too thin. Our patrol "beats" have grown exponentially, especially in southern Woodridge, and in density, especially in Seven Bridges. We are scheduled to finally bring new police officers online in 2007 and again in 2009.
I will oppose any new multi-family development and work to improve or tear-down existing developments.
Over 50% of the housing in Woodridge is multi-family. While apartments provide a necessary type of housing, too many apartments can lead to instability in the community and lower property values.
I will work aggressively pay off our current obligations without incurring new debt.
Woodridge has $19.9 of debt. While home-rule communities have no limit on the amount of debt that can incur, I believe that "debt does matter" since the interest payments on the debt can crowd out other worthwhile programs and projects.
I will make sure to fund our state-mandated commitments to our police officers and not play games with their pensions.
The Woodridge Police Pension is under-funded by $10.8 million and getting worse. You hear that Springfield plays games with pension, you hear that Washington plays games with social security - I won't play those games in Woodridge. Police pensions are mandated by Springfield, yet Springfield provides no money - they are 100% funded by officers and the Village. (Police officers do not receive social security).
ALL OF THE PROMISES BELOW WERE MADE DURING MY TENURE AS WOODRIDGE TRUSTEE FROM 2003 TO 2007:
I proposed that Woodridge hold a parade every year (not just every five years) to coincide with the Woodridge Jubilee.
Nothing says hometown America better than a parade. Right now, Woodridge holds a parade every five years. My daughter and I loved being in the parade in 2004. We don't have to compete with other towns and their July 4th parades. Rather, we should have on on Saturday morning of Jubilee week and open the Jubilee right after the parade.
UPDATE: My colleagues on the Board liked the idea of an annual parade, but didn't want to pay for it (although they didn't know how much it would cost). Instead, they insist on relying completely on volunteers to organize an annual parade, perhaps at Christmas.
I proposed that Woodridge enact stricter and more creative laws and methods to curb drunk driving.
We don't have a lot of restaurants or bars in Woodridge, but we have roads that cross through town that carry drink drivers every night of the week. I emailed MADD of DuPage for their ideas - click here for their response. I'd like to see what our Police Department can come up with to prevent this dangerous crime.
UPDATE: Click here for a summary of DUI activities. I asked to come up with $10,000 so the Police Department could perforrm 5 saturation patrols randomly to catch drunk driver (we only did one last year). A majority of my colleagues did not agree with me and refused to allocate any additional money for DUI enforcement.
I proposed to add a "Trustee's Report" item to Village Board meetings.
Currently, only the Mayor and Admnistrator have the opportunity to speak freely at Board meetings. This tends to stifle the activity of elected Trustees. Having an item on the agenda for Trustee Reports will enable individual Trustees to make announcements, give information, send congratulations, etc. at a Board meeting in an effort to better serve residents
UPDATE: None of my colleagues on the Board agreed with me so this item will not be pursued. I will use the "Old / New Business" section on the meeting agenda.
I proposed (again) to audio and video broadcast Village meetings on the internet.. (see below)
UPDATE: The audio system was updated in the Board Room which has greatly improved the sound in the room. This should also make it easier to post audio of our meetings on the Village website. However, no internet video or Channel 6 braodcasting will be considered.
I proposed (again) that Woodridge be divided into wards and elect one Trustee from each ward and the Mayor at-large. (see below)
UPDATE: A majority of my colleagues were not interested in this concept and it will be left to voters to start a referendum petition drive if desired.
I proposed (again) to made all Woodridge restaurants and bars smoke-free. (see below)
I will propose that all Woodridge neighborhoods receive improved streetlights.
New subdivisions are required to put streetlights every 200 feet. However, some old Woodridge neighborhoods have one streetlight for their entire half-mile street. The dark streets and sidewalks discourages outdoor activity such as walking, exercising or socializing after dusk. It also invites criminal activity such as burglary and vandalism.
UPDATE: I requested an estimate of costs for one particular street (the cost was $52,000) or around $2,000 per light). I suggest taking streets one at a time, prioritizing the darkest streets first. The majority of my colleagues on the Board did not wish to pursue any additional lights. Additional information can be found here..
I will propose a resolution urging Congress to extend the federal ban on assault weapons.
A federal or state ban on assault weapons would be much more effective than a municipal ban. (see information about assault weapons below). Click here for my presentation. Click here for slides that illustrate the dangers of assault weapons.
08-19-04 - The Village Board voted 4-2 against my resolution.
Where do Woodridge officials stand on the assault weapons ban?
Mayor Bill Murphy - against the ban.
Trustee Mary Ann Frank - voted against the ban.
Trustee Pam Beavers - voted against the ban.
Trustee Robert Brandt - voted for the ban.
Trustee Joe Kagann - voted against the ban.
Trustee Chester Szerlag - voted against the ban (voted out of office April 2005).
Trustee Richard Wood - voted for the ban.
UPDATE: I have no plans to pursue this issue. Click here for more information.
- click here for an article from the Illinois State Rifle Association that mis-states my campaign promises.
I will propose to ban assault weapons in Woodridge.
The federal ban on assault weapons expired September 13, 2004. That means that semi-automatic guns with multiple assault weapon features are available for anyone with a FOID card. Shotguns, handgun, rifles and semi-automatic firearms without assault weapon features are not affected.
11-06-03 - I proposed an assault weapons ban at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. It was rejected by my colleagues on the Board.
UPDATE: I have no plans to pursue this issue. Click here for more information.
- click here for a misleading article from the Illinois State Rifle Association that incorrectly states my campaign promises.
I will propose requiring trigger locks for all firearms kept in Woodridge.
More than 400 children are killed in the U.S. every year from accidental shootings that could have been prevented with trigger locks. Click here for a newspaper article. Illinois has a new state law that holds gun owners responsible if children are injured or killed after getting their hands on an unsecured weapon ($1,000 fine). I would have the Village purchase trigger locks and give them away to any resident with a firearm free of charge.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. My colleagues wished to keep this a voluntary idea, not mandate it.
- click here for a misleading article from the Illinois State Rifle Association that incorrectly states my campaign promises.
I will propose creating a job bank for Woodridge companies to advertise job openings to Village residents (given to me by a resident).
This is an easy, low-cost idea that the Village lists all job openings on the Village website so that Woodridge residents get first opportunity to see what positions are available. Companies like having employees who live close to work because they can come in on short notice, take more pride in their work, etc. and the Village not only receives a portion of the state income tax paid by employees, it also is the recipient of intangible benefits i.e. stability in residents, more productive citizens, etc.
07-28-06 - The Chamber of Commerice is moving forward with a job bank service. Click here for a newspaper article.
UPDATE: Without any support from my colleagues on the Village Board and no need identified by Village staff, this idea will not be pursued.
02-11-04 - Click here for a reply from Mayor Murphy.
02-11-04 - Click here for a reply from the Village Administrator.
02-07-04 - Click here for my reply proposing we ask businesses if they are interested.
01-29-04 - Mayor Murphy issued a memorandum against the job bank.
01-24-04 - I sent an email to the Village Administrator formally proposing the idea.
I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. Many of my colleagues wanted to pass this idea along to the Chamber of Commerce. But the Chamber isn't has motivated as the Village should be. I will continue to pursue it.
ALL OF THE PROMISES BELOW WERE MADE DURING MY 2003 CAMPAIGN FOR WOODRIDGE TRUSTEE:
I will propose instituting term limits for all elected officials.
Term limits foster change and new ideas by bringing in new leaders. Entrenched politicians who remain in office for decades at a time tend to listen more to the special interests who keep them in office, rather than the residents that they were elected to serve.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. As expected, my colleagues were not wild about the idea. I have no plans to pursue this issue.
I will vote against any more apartments or large multi-family developments in Woodridge.
We have too many multi-family units in Woodridge. The ratio of single-family units to multi-family units is 47 to 53. I want the ratio to be comparable to surrounding suburbs, more like 75 to 25. Dense multi-family developments bring crowding, traffic, noice, pollution, crime, etc. It taxes our natural resources, parks, open area, etc. Future development in Woodridge should be high quality, single-family homes. I will propose that the Village Board explore options to not only stop building more multi-family units, but actually reduce the number of apartments in Woodridge by condemning and tearing down buildings that frequently violate building codes.
UPDATE: The meeting prior to my inaguration, the lame-duck Village Board approved the 182-unit condominium development at the Northeast corner of Boughton & Woodward.
I will work to change the "at-large" electoral system in Woodridge into a "ward" system where each geographical area of the village would elect a Trustee and the Mayor would be elected at-large.
This would give Woodridge residents a feeling that they had their own government official to go to if they were having a problem, had a question or concern, etc. Right now, if you want a stop sign in your neighborhood, who do you go to after the city engineers reject the stop sign? If there are no Trustees living in the neighborhood, how can they make caring, informed decisions regarding such issues? This would require a referendum on the next ballot in 2005.
UPDATE: A majority of my colleagues were not interested in this concept and it will be left to voters to start a referendum petition drive if desired. I have no plans to pursue this issue.
UPDATE: I proposed this idea again during the 2005 Goal-Setting process.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. My colleagues believed it would change the tone of the Village Board. As an outsider, change on the Village Board appeals to me. I will keep trying to convince them.
I will propose to re-institute Administrative Adjudication for violations of local laws, codes, ordinances, etc.
Administrative Adjudication is a process wherein local law violations are adjudicated by local judges, rather then be sent to the crowded dockets and apathetic judges of the DuPage County Courthouse in Wheaton. It's a way to keep more of the fines generated from the violations in Woodridge coffers, rather then splitting it with the county. Woodridge tried this a few years ago and stopped a year later. This time, with improved technology, we'll make it work.
03-25-05 UPDATE - The Police Department is using local "p-tickets" for more ordinance violations so fines will be paid directly to Woodridge, not to the county.
02-28-04 UPDATE: The village ran numbers and AA would not be profitable.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. The Village is investigating whether AA should be re-instituted as a way to keep more revenue from fines, etc. in the Village.
I will propose posting on the Woodridge website the names and addresses of all dog owners whose dogs are declared "dangerous" or "vicious" by the Police Department.
The ordinances declaring a dog "dangerous" or "vicious" already exist. (A dangerous dog is any dog which, unmuzzled, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person or other animal in an apparent attitude of attack upon any street, sidewalk or any public grounds or place, or any premises other than those of its owner; provided, that such approach is unprovoked (Ord. 5-6A-1) and a "vicious" dog is a dog which has, when unprovoked, bitten or attacked any person or other animal on public or private property; has a known tendency, propensity or disposition to attack persons or animals without provocation; or has been found to be a dangerous dog upon three (3) separate occasions. (Ord. 5-6A-1)). Reporting these dogs on the Village website will provide residents will critical notice of dogs that are potentially dangerous and may attack them, their dogs, or their children.
2007 ELECTION UPDATE: I have proposed tougher regulations for dangerous dogs. Click here to follow this issue.
UPDATE: I proposed adding the names and addresses of vicious and dangerous dogs on the Village website. I also proposed toughening the "dogs running at-large" ordinance. Click here to see my request. The other members of the Village Board did not support my proposals.
02-06-04 - Click here for an article about a dog problem in Downers Grove.
I will propose posting on the Woodridge website the names and addresses of all registered child sex offenders who live in Woodridge.
This information is available on the DuPage County Sheriff's website and should be made available to all concerned Woodridge residents via a direct link to the Sheriff's website.
UPDATE: I proposed adding a link the state and county sex offender lists to the Village website and also posting the information gathered by the Woodridge Police Department. Click here to see my request.
APPROVED - click here. Click here for a newspaper article.
I will propose broadcasting (audio and video) all Village Board Meetings on the Woodridge web page.
This technology is here and it is not expensive. Residents would then be able to follow all meetings in the Werch Board Room from their computers at home. I think it's important to allow all residents an increased level of participation in village government, even if it's just watching or listening to local government in action.
2007 ELECTION UPDATE: Additional cost information would be gathered to at least post audio on the Village website, but no internet video or Channel 6 would be considered.
UPDATE: I proposed this idea again during the 2005 Goal Setting process with several options: (a) live video and audio streaming; (b) live audio streaming only; or (c) archived (not live) audio for future playback.
03-25-04 UPDATE: Staff came up with some cost estimates - ranging from $70,000 upfront in-house to $80,000 plus ongoing costs with a private company. Broadcasting on Channel Six would cost $70,000 upfront.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. The idea of a 24/7 camera in the Board room appealed to some of my colleagues, not to others. The IT people at Village Hall are willing to give it a try. I will press to accomplish this.
I will propose establishing a multi-use facility for children / young adults / adults / seniors.
This type of facility would greatly enhance the quality of life for Woodridge residents and make Woodridge a more desirable place to live and raise a family. Young families are the lifeblood of any city and it's important to have Village programs and facilities that attact and keep young families in the Village. The Village of Woodridge, along with the Woodridge Park District, would jointly finance the facility.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. As expected, none of my colleages was wild about the idea. Many of them like to "pass the buck" to the Park District. Whether the money for the facility comes out of my Park District taxes or my Village taxes, it doesn't matter. .
I will propose instituting "sunset" clauses for all taxes in Woodridge.
All revenue-producing taxes would automatically "sunset," or automatically end after a specific period of time, and would have to be voted back in by elected officials serving at that time i.e. the 1.0% sales tax, the 5.0% water tax, the 5.0% electricity tax, the 5.0% telephone tax, the 5.0% natural gas tax, the 5.0% cable tax, etc. This forces the Village to carefully examine all taxes for fairness and effectiveness. This will help hold down costs, justify expenses and demand accountability.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. As expected, none of my colleages was wild about the idea. It would also add administrative headaches to budget using such clauses. But I believe taxpayers will appreciate the effort and the honesty.
I will preserve as much green space as possible and not put a gas station or strip mall on every available corner.
Parks, open spaces, tree preserves, etc. are critical to proper balanced growth of a Village. They don't generate tax revenue, but they attract families, do good things for the environment, etc. I would aggressively require developers to include as much green space as possible in their developments, and preserve and plant as many mature trees as possible. Click here for information on the northeast corner of Boughton & Woodward.
UPDATE: I fought against the development at Hobson Rd. and Walnut Ct. (off of I-355) because it would clear-cut 10 acres of undisturbed forestland. Follow the issue on my "RITS page" (November 18th entry). Click here to follow the 45-acres of green space at Woodridge and Plaza Dr. (District 99 property).
I will propose discontinuing the practice of automatically renewing citizen appointments on the various Boards and Commissions.
I want to involve more citizens in the operations of Woodridge government and making every position on all the citizen Boards and Commissions available to all residents at the end of every 2-year term would give more citizens the opportunity to serve. Current appointees would be encouraged to re-apply but they would no longer be automatically re-appointed, as they are now.
2007 ELECTION UPDATE: I have continually voted against re-appointing members of Boards and Commission who have served more than 10 years. I want to infuse fresh people and fresh ideas.
UPDATE: On April 24, 2003, 3 days before I was sworn in, the lame duck Village Board quietly re-appointed 12 members to Village Commissions and appointed the 2 Trustee candidates who lost on April 1st to a Village Board all without making the positions open to members of the public. Click here for a letter of protest I sent to Mayor Murphy. Click here to see a copy of Mayor Murphy's reply.
I will propose prohibiting smoking in restaurants and all indoor facilities.
Everyone has a right to breathe clean, smoke-free indoor air, just like the right to eat safe food and drink clean water. Knowing the severe health effects of secondhand smoke, there is no reason to allow smoking in restaurants and all other places of employment. No one should have to breathe toxic chemicals while they work, conduct business or have a meal. I would prefer to have this instituted statewide but we can't wait for action in Springfield so I would actively work with surrounding communities to encourage them to ban smoking as well.
UPDATE: Click here for Smoke-Free Woodridge.
UPDATE: I also proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. Many of my colleagues say they would like to have smoke-free restaurants, but were unwilling to do anything about it.
I will propose incorporate more residential areas in southern Woodridge into the Village.
There are a lot of expensive single-family homes in southern Woodridge that should be incorporated into the Village to help increase the assessed value. They should be annexed into Woodridge and the Woodridge Park District at the same time. As an accommodation, the Woodridge portion of those residents' tax bills should be gradually phased in over a period of several years.
UPDATE: I proposed this at the 2003 Goal-Setting Meeting. The Village has a long-range plan for annexations of various areas around town. I will encourage annexation where possible.
I will propose a comprehensive, top-to-bottom audit of the Village financial books.
This is to make sure that what happened in Cicero, what happened at Enron, WorldCom, etc. doesn't happen in Woodridge. I want to make absolutely sure that there is enough money in the various pension funds, to make sure that all expenses are legitimate, to accurately predict the cost of repairing and replacing infrastructure so capital improvements are not delayed just to balance the books, to keep health care costs in check, etc.
UPDATE: The 2003 audit has been completed and showed that the Police Pension Fund is under-funded by $8,000,000. This will have to be addressed in the near future as I will not "pass the buck" to future elected officials.
I will institute "office hours" for Trustees.
I will make myself available to meet with residents for an hour prior to the regularly scheduled Village Board meetings on Thursdays for anyone who wants to meet to discuss a problem, make a comment, etc. I would arrange for each Trustee to take a turn so we would all be available over the period of 3 months (2 meetings per month, 6 Trustees).
UPDATE: I will not be proposing this change at this time because very few residents come to Board Meetings and those who do are welcome to speak at the meeting and mingle with Board members before and after the meeting.
