Surly

That would be one way to describe Pleasant Dale Park director, Katherine Parker's demeanor at last night's park board meeting. Cantankerous would be another.

She probably gets that way when board president, Brad Martin and vice president, Colleen Pettrone leave her in a lurch.

Wednesday's board meeting didn't happen because both the president and vice president did not show up so there wasn't a quorum. It wasn't the first time it's happened and it won't be the last.

In fact, Brad Martin has missed FIVE  meetings in the last EIGHT months and was late for TWO. Wow! Bet you're glad you voted for him to represent (or misrepresent) you on the park board. Here is his track record for the last eight months:

Late: September 8, 2009, February 10, 2010

Absent: October 13, 2009, October 20, 2009, November 10, 2009, March 4, 2010, April 14, 2010

Present but did not conduct meeting: March 10, 2010 because "he might have to leave early."

Katherine claimed he was sick again. That man is sick A LOT! Maybe this will help with his "problem."

We are not sure when the meeting will be rescheduled. Don't look for it on the website or on the marquis outside the main park building because Katherine said that she didn't know if she would be able to put it up there. Translation: if Brad and Colleen will let her.  Parker went on to say she is not required (by law) to post it on the marquis. Well, here's a little tip for you Ms. Parker: You ARE required BY LAW to post it inside the main park building 48 hours PRIOR to a meeting. And, wouldn't you know it, that was not done. It was not online and it wasn't posted in the main building as of 1:40 p.m. on April 13th. Tsk, tsk.

We hear the mayor of Burr Ridge is a tad bit PO'd at the Pleasant Dale Park District and their shenanigans and now that village wants the park district to pony up almost $20K for law enforcement on the fourth of July this year.

Adding to the growing list of park district pains is a mountain of missing paperwork that was recently asked for through a FOIA request. The park district is under not one, not two, not three, but at least FOUR requests for review of various OMA and FOI violations at the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

That would be a reason to be surly AND cantankerous.

And you probably thought your life was complicated...