Oct 31
DeKalb High School, along with Huntley and Clinton Rosette Middle Schools, presented a concert this week. This weekend I will be posting performance pieces by the Huntley crew, now under the solid direction of interim teacher Sue Thorne.
Happy Halloween!
Oct 30
[This letter was sent by Police Advisory Committee Member Ivan Krpan to City Hall. Reprinted with permission.]
October 27, 2008
To: Mayor Kris Povlsen and the members of the DeKalb City Council.
My concern is plenty with regards to the construction of the new police station. As a member of the Police Advisory Committee on the police station, I am afraid things may be getting out of hand.
It is also important to remember that as a committee, we were advised that several matters were not our concern with regards to the station.
1. Location. We were instructed that the Lincoln Hwy. site was set in rock.
2. Architect. That the architect was chosen.
3. Construction of the station. Set by staff to be Construction Manager for the City of DeKalb.I have thought long and hard about this since I made my recommendation and still feel that Chief Feithen, the police officers for DeKalb, and in fact this community need this new station and desperately. The problems that I have is that after thinking about certain matters and seeing how this economy has become a center point of discussion not just locally but on a global level, I believe we need to become a little more focused ourselves. Read the rest of this entry
Oct 29
At least one local educator is telling children that a state constitutional convention (con-con) equals elimination of their beloved teachers’ pensions. Evidently the subject of special-interest propaganda, along with the dangers of driving and drugs and death-metal music, must be discussed with the offspring both early and often. So be it. I’ll also go on record once again in support of a con-con.
Short “pro-con-con” argument: “Egregious constitutional errors are not fixing themselves.” But also take a look at the following longer version, well-expressed by Springfield blogger Will Reynolds in a post titled “Bring Democracy to Illinois”:
The Illinois Constitution does not provide for democratic measures existing in other states such as: a binding referendum that allows the public to vote directly on laws; a reasonable discharge petition requirement that permits legislative action on bills opposed by leadership; fair rules to allow equal participation by third party and independent candidates; and limits on the use of the amendatory veto. Read the rest of this entry
Oct 27
The DeKalb County Board has 24 members. There is quite a range in Illinois and perhaps not always the way one would think. For example, Cook County has 17 District Commissioners, Winnebago 36. Sangamon County residents will vote next week on a non-binding resolution recommending reduction of its Board from 29 members to 15, a move that would save enough dough to hire a couple more Sheriff’s deputies.
Hmmm.
Oct 24
Council takes up the question of police station financing again Monday. The plan is to figure out how to raise an additional $450,000 per year to meet annual debt payments on a $17 million station. They’ve narrowed their options here, which would be the logical thing to do if they were all on the same page, but some members are balking at further tax increases. If they refuse to raise the property tax rate or to impose a higher water meter surcharge, what happens next?
Seems to me some questions would be in order, such as how the proposed 55,000 square feet is to be used, or what we could get for $750,000 per year, or why Sycamore seems not to be having any problem building onto their station. But that’s just me. What say you?
Oct 22
Here’s another one for the “better late than never” file: Some candidates for the DeKalb County Board want Home Rule for the county.
We’ve discussed the flaw in Home Rule law as practiced in Illinois previously. Since posting it I’ve had six more months to consider the workings of government and, meeting by meeting, have become ever more convinced (and dismayed) that the people in charge are not the ones we elected.
IMO it’s been a case of informational asymmetry (knowledge is power) combined with bureaucratic careerism, manipulation, and electees’ neglect of traditional housecleaning duties with the turnovers of regimes. But, however it might have happened, clearly power has become concentrated in the hands of administrators—people the voters can’t get rid of after four years—and this is true at the county level, too. Do we want to place Home Rule powers in those hands?
The idea also smacks of an end run around the voters on the jail question. The voters said “no,” twice now, to a sales tax for a new jail but with Home Rule, the County could impose it anyway. It’s undemocratic, and I’m furious. Read the rest of this entry
Oct 20
Or, worse yet, an orchestra teacher who actually insists you practice.
Bet Dundee’s wondering how DeKalb ever let her go.
Oct 20
Here’s one for the “better late than never” file.
Will post a photo ASAP but so far there are technical difficulties preventing it. [Update 2: Finally! H/T D2.]
[Update 1: Whoops, here's another article. Slow news day, I guess. H/T GM]
Oct 17
…in a truly enjoyable way. No, really!
Oct 14
The most intriguing part of the evening to me was when Ald. Simpson alluded to a super-secret but very good reason for giving everyone in city government raises this year. I hope someday he shares it so I can use it on my employer.
[Meeting Update: They have rescheduled the next special meeting on the proposed liquor code changes to next Monday, 10/20, 6 p.m.]