Fireworks!

Looks like we spoke too soon...

You don't have to wait until the 4th of July to see fireworks, they are going on almost daily at the Pleasant Dale Park District.

Apparently things are not going so smoothly with their renovation plans. There was another special meeting on September 15 and again on September 16. What's going on over there?

Here are some questions we have for our park district leaders:

• Who exactly is in charge over there?
• Why, oh why isn't Katherine Parker's name listed on anything?? It's not on your website, it's not on the community needs assessment survey that Katherine herself sent out and it's not on your brochure. Why are you trying to hide her?
• Why are your employees not informed of board meeting dates and times? On two different occasions we contacted the park district and spoke to two different employees to inquire about the special meetings and neither person could give us any information. Why don't you tell your employees when you have special meetings scheduled? Don't you want the public to know?
• Why doesn't the park district post all their special and continued meetings on their marquis? Don't you want the public to attend them?
• Why all the secrecy, and story changing and half truths about this renovation project?
• Why is your one and only confirmed tenant pulling out of the Chalet renovation? Who do you have lined up to replace this loss of projected income?
• Isn't there a conflict of interest when board president Brad Martin plans to spend $300,000 on a renovation project to house his sister-in-law Sue Keck's volleyball leagues and programs? Spending tax dollars to directly benefit a family member doesn't sound right. Doesn't she already have signed contracts elsewhere for this year?
• Why is your website not current? Why isn't the Chalet renovation project on the website? In some areas Rosalyn Wendt is still listed as the director, the Extra Innings after school program is still listed at the Chalet and Savoy Park is non-existent. Rather than renovate the Chalet, why not start with your website?

It's great that you are trying to make things better, but be honest, forthright and on the up and up!

Remember, you were elected to serve your community, not yourselves.

Brad Martin can be reached via email at martin8210@comcast.net. Try emailing him to get some answers.