"I don't keep track of money, I just spend it!" ~ Joe Jura, Chalet Renovation Project Manager
Seems like some people at the Pleasant Dale Park District need a lesson on timeliness.
Tonight's meeting started late again.
Joe Jura arrived for the 7:30 meeting at 8:20, well after the discussion on the Chalet renovation was to take place. This discussion was tabled until later in the meeting as they waited for Joe to arrive. When Joe finally did arrive, acting president Colleen Pettrone tried to postpone the Chalet discussion until after executive session. Was she afraid of what he might say in front of an audience?
Park board president, Brad Martin, arrived at 9:00 p.m. How convenient... He got there after the board meeting had ended but just in time for executive session. Last week he didn't even show up at all and the meeting was cancelled.
Marc Poulos, the executive director from the Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting (III FFC) attended tonight's meeting because he has received several complaints in regard to non competitive bidding and prevailing wage on the Chalet renovation project. He indicated that he sent a FOIA request to the park district last week and is waiting for the information he requested. (Thank God he didn't send it to the Village of Willow Springs or he'd never get it!)
During open forum, Mr. Poulos gave a short presentation on what the III FFC is and asked some pointed questions in regard to the bidding practices and paying prevailing wages on the Chalet renovation project.
The highlight of the night came during Joe Jura's update on the Chalet renovation. Park commissioner Ernie Moon asked Joe some questions about the expenses and budget for the project at which point Joe stated, "I don't keep track of money, I just spend it!"
When Joe was asked a question about the bidder selection process that was used, he said that he saved the park distinct thousands of dollars; they showed him the bids and he picked which guys to use and who not to. Colleen Pettone quickly cut Joe off from talking any further and referred Mr. Poulos and his questions to the park district attorney.
In other news, the park distinct held a hearing this evening on the proposal to sell non-referendum bonds. They owe $1.2 million dollars this year and will only be able to pay off $628,947. Yikes!
The next park board meeting (another special meeting) will be held on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss fee structures and rental proposals.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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7 comments:
Reading through this blog has been seriously disturbing, negative and downright hateful. For what purpose or end, there is no clear goal or evidence of solutions - just blatant nastiness. Obviously those involved have nothing better to do than "BITCH". How about embracing the people who are working in these organizations and asking the question, "WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP, PROMOTE, ASSIST AND/OR WORK" for the good of these entities? Squeeky wheels don't always get the oil, they get ignored and tossed into the junk pile. Your own low self-esteem, lack of direction and no purpose in life truly is reflected.
Why is the President of the Board not attending the meetings - isn't that what he was put in that position for? I think he got some splaining to do.
Dear Hypocrite:
Wow… talk about disturbing. Your own comment was not only negative it was downright hateful! This blog is the only way for the tax payers to read about what is really happening in the Pleasantdale Community. It is called freedom of speech! Unfortunately, many of the insipient people in power don’t like others to know what is going on!
I agree that there are times that personal comments, opinions are put in these blogs which are / can be subjective and considered negative or nasty. I am a bit confused why anonymous is complaining about negativity etc.. but only using it to make his/her point.
In defense of the blogger, the blogger does take hours of time to go to these meetings and report many more facts, then any other resident, newspaper or media outlet does. The blogger, if it is who I believe it is also has been active in the community and received a large grant for sidewalks for Pleasantdale community.
My suggestion, read the facts and learn from them. Read the opinions, theories and questions that are brought up for what they are....opinions, and also learn from them and ask yourself, was that mean, humorous or a good personal note that should be looked into. There is a lot of things to question at the very least. This really is little difference reading this blog then reading or listening to anything in the media, (yes you cant believe everything in the media) it is just less regulated and that is why readers need to seperate fact from opinion.
Although non-traditional, controversial and unconventional, this blog with a "touch" of sarcasm mostly is informative and factual. Different people have different ways of communicating. The opinions in this blog are very much like editorials in a newspaper which you do not have to read. The only thing that is "nasty" is how some leaders in our community choose to ignore citizens to pursue their own agendas or abuse their power. I think this blog was a result of those individuals not listening. If this person chooses to use their time to inform the public about meetings and issues in the community that is their right. Just because they do not work for or directly volunteer at the school, village, or park district does not mean they are "not doing anything". I know for a fact that the the principal author of this blog works and has worked tirelessly for the betterment of the community often at the cost of their family. If you don't agree with their way of communicating then contact this person and request a meeting. For you to say they have low self esteem, a lack of direction or no purpose in life sounds uneducated and frankly ignorant. I think you need to look in the mirror and see how your reflection comes back.
I feel the blog is dead on.
OK let's talk FACTS then if the blog is so hateful and mean and negative.
The district is BROKE and continues to spend money they do not have.
Their current budget is NOT balanced and is bleeding red, and the board continues to spend money on a white elephant called the Chalet.
Why doesn't the board share with the public all the money that has been spent on the Chalet since purchase, including the capital and the operating short fall.
Why can't the board tell us what the budget is for the current renovations?
Why all the SPECIAL meeting?
What is the deal with the NEW board members, they ran on a ticket to improve things?
Why is no one being told what is happening?
CHALET COST, lets see.
Would $1M get anyone's attention?
Would $3M get anyone's attention?
Would $5M get anyone's attention?
What will it take to get people excited that the park is broke, spending money wildly with no plan and feeling they are not accountable for what they are doing.
Well the amount of money spent on the Chalet since its purchase is $10,000,000. I do not know about you but I think something is out of control.
Do I have anyone attention NOW!
AND guess what they are asking for a new bond to be voted on the coming election. WHY? because they need more money to WASTE.
I encourge everyone to go to the meeting and ask questions, find out for yourself. Tell your friends and tell them to tell their friends. This IS a real problem
This is not hateful, it is not negative, it is not nastiness. It is the cold hard truth. This is YOUR tax money that is being spent.
Does someone want an answer. STOP THE BLOOD, SHUT DOWN THE CHALET.
Once the Chalet is done will a certain Board Member move their office to the Chalet at a reduced rate? Costing the tax payers lots of money? I would ask who their proposed tenants plan on being and how much they intend on paying. I heard they lost a potential, respectable Burr Ridge resident as a tenant for their "shenanigans". How will this situation pan out - I am very interested to see.
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