Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Rumors and Coffee

Rumor has it that the nearly bankrupt Pleasant Dale Park District will be hiring not one, not two, but THREE new full time recreation and management employees in the first week of January.

Didn't they just eliminate the marketing director's position in November in an attempt to trim the budget? Hmmm, that was not a wise move at all. How can they possibly market the new and improved Chalet and their myriad of new programs without a marketing director? Have you seen the last two mailings that have gone out since the marketing director's dismissal? Probably not, since most residents didn't get the Chalet re-grand opening flyer (a full color two sided 16" x 23" spread that cost $$$) because it was only mailed to Countryside. But, check out the Winter leisure guide that you might have received. Maybe instead of a new recreation manager, how about hiring a proof reader? That would make a lot of sense!

Rumor also has it that the bills for the new and improved Chalet are piling up with little to no money to pay them. Is this true? Only time will tell. They have yet to see any of the grant money that was promised last June.

Come on out and meet with park board president Brad Martin for coffee on January 9th at 9 a.m. at the Chalet. Bring your suggestions and input about what you want to see at the park district. Maybe even ask him about the rumors.

Just don't bring any high expectations!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Alrighty people this is our tax money they are using - can we speak up PLEASE? If you are interested in finding out more detailed information about the park district please contact the host and find out about getting in contact with other people concerned about how our hard earned tax money is being wasted! There are people out there trying to fight for our community!

Kristin said...

Why is Board President, Brad Martin, having coffee with residents? The Board's role is policy making, not running the day to day operations of the park. That is Katherine Parker's job as the Director. She should be sitting down with the community, not Brad Martin.

The Board has had their hands in too many projects and decisions at the park. They say they need to correct mistakes of the past administration and Board. I question what the real agenda is here - the good for the community or the good for certain Board Members. That project at the Chalet never should have happened until there was a detailed plan and budget, money in the BANK for the project, and ultimately approval to do so by a majority of the residents. I think that would be a great topic for Brad Martin to discuss at his coffee event. Three Board Members with the guidance of Katherine Parker ultimately made the decision on the new hires at the park. What qualifies them to make these decisions? If you hired Katherine Parker for her excellent management skills over more qualified park district professionals then you should allow her to make these type of decisions. I have spent a lot of time paying attention to recent activities and decisions at the Pleasantdale Park District. I am very concerned with the financial, personnel and programming decisions this administration has made.

The only way things are going to change at the park is if people make the Board and Director accountable for their actions and demand quality answers. If we don't then we are not going to have the type of quality recreational programs and facilities that this community deserves. I do not want us to have to pay higher taxes to bail out a cash strapped park district and at this rate we may eventually have to.

Anonymous said...

Okay. There are many people that are very concerned about the Park District and what has been occurring since the last election...Has it ever occurred to anyone that there has been a huge conspiracy in this area for a very long time?! It all revolves around LAND and MONEY! Yep! Bancrupting villages, businesses and park districts are opportunistic modes to force these entities into selling land, buildings, etc. to who?!....DEVELOPERS! Yes...let's just put up more homes, reduce open space and who ends up paying for it?...You, the taxpayer. Developers have been very instrumental in supporting board candidates in their election campaigns through contributions, etc. Then the monkey business begins. Poor decision making, favors, not dotting the i's, promised parks, sidewalks, bike paths, etc. Oh, and let's not forget, you the taxpayer will pay to install the roads, sewers, expansion of police and fire protection and utilities, when the DEVELOPERS decide they will walk halfway through a project. Look deeper, look at campaign contributions, look at friends at hand and other business relationships. This is all public information and can be requested under the Freedom of Information Act. Financials, proposal, meeting minutes, bids and contracts an are all subject to this act and need to be copied and provided ASAP (usually within 5 business days). There is more than meets the eye, if you are willing to look...

Anonymous said...

There are people trying to do things, the problem is you have to be willing to stick your neck out to get things done. If you have information pass it along to this blog's host.

Kristin said...

FYI - The Park meeting is Wednesday the 13th, not Tuesday.