Archive for January, 2010

Campbell Serious About Investigating Wogen “Arrangement”

Author: yinn

Jan 30

campbell letter

5 Comments
Filed under: Local Campaigns

Northern Star Fighting for 3rd Ward Names

Author: yinn

Jan 27

The Northern Star has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain the names of the persons considered by the mayor for the vacated Third Ward alderman spot.

With the questionable past of the 3rd Ward, it is interesting to see that the city has decided to withhold this information from the public, since an aldermanic position is in fact a public position. On Jan. 25, DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen appointed Pam Verbic, a long-time 3rd Ward resident, to the position that had been vacant since Victor Wogen resigned on Dec. 14, 2009. Congratulations to Mrs. Verbic.

The Star, however, is still wondering why the other nine applicants have not been announced, since it is a public position.

The Northern Star filed a Freedom of Information request for the names of the 10 applicants, and, in a letter addressed to the Northern Star, DeKalb City Clerk Steve Kapitan said “City Attorney Norma Guess asserts that this request [for the 10 names] be denied because it constitutes a clear unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”

Let’s take a look at FOIA. Read the rest of this entry

4 Comments
Filed under: Community Resources, Council/City Watch | Tagged as: , , ,

State’s Attorney Candidate Makes Public Corruption an Issue

Author: yinn

Jan 23

There are three Democratic and two Republican candidates for DeKalb County State’s Attorney. Only one of them, GOP hopeful Clay Campbell, has brought up the issue of corruption in local government. The following is my transcription of Campbell’s closing remarks during the Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum last Tuesday. I’ve stripped out an “uh” or two and ignored his tendency to drop the “g” (e.g. “lettin’”). To listen for yourself, visit WLBK for the podcast.

Ladies and gentlemen, we have to begin the process of healing our community. We can’t keep going back and forth: Republican, Democrat, liberal, conservative, name calling–we can’t do that anymore. It’s not good for us, and it’s not a good model for our children. We have to again restore the respect for government officials that they deserve. We have to elect people that will come forward and serve the public good.

I’m reminded of this Victor Wogen matter here with the City Council of DeKalb. Read the rest of this entry

1 Comment
Filed under: Local Campaigns, Quotables

Council Watch, January 25 Meetings

Author: yinn

Jan 23

Committee of the Whole meeting agenda includes a discussion of establishing a line of credit (PDF p. 3).

Staff contacted eight banks located in DeKalb about submitting their terms and rates for a $2.5M line of credit for the City. We have received four quotes, of which Castle Bank had the lowest fixed rate at 4.95%, while Fifth Third Bank had the lowest variable rate at 1.75% + .25% of any unused principal. This line of credit will be necessary to maintain City operations while revenues continue to decline.

Um, no, I think rather the idea is to maintain cash flow for operations while the city is waiting for revenues to come in, not to make up for declining revenues. The wording here is a little troubling.

Where’s that debt policy?! Read the rest of this entry

9 Comments
Filed under: Calendar, Council/City Watch, Payment Due? | Tagged as: , ,

Word of the Day: Patronage

Author: yinn

Jan 22

patronage [pey-truh-nij]
–noun

3. the control of or power to make appointments to government jobs or the power to grant other political favors.

4. Offices, jobs, or other favors so controlled.

5. the distribution of jobs and favors on a political basis, as to those who have supported one’s party or political campaign: DeKalb became notorious for patronage in Illinois, ranking just behind Chicago and Cicero.

6. a condescending manner or attitude in granting favors, in dealing with people, etc., condescension: city officials cultivated an air of patronage toward politically unconnected residents. [examples added]

Tomorrow’s word: Nepotism.

3 Comments
Filed under: Council/City Watch, Snark/Humor | Tagged as: ,

Park District & TIF

Author: yinn

Jan 20

Here are facts obtained recently from the DeKalb Park District about its agreements with the City of DeKalb:

  • Once upon a time, the Park District would submit requests to the City for reimbursements of Tax Increment Financing (TIF)-eligible expenses incurred on a project-by-project basis. The projects had to occur within TIF districts and there was no guarantee of reimbursement.
    Read the rest of this entry

    • 1 Comment
    Filed under: Community Resources, Council/City Watch, Payment Due?, TIF | Tagged as: ,

    Franklin Park’s Budget Blues

    Author: yinn

    Jan 19

    Thanks to the person who sent a link to IAFF Local 1526 representing the Franklin Park firefighters. It’s always an education to find out how other communities are coping in these times. Franklin Park is a village of 19,500 situated near O’Hare. It is contemplating laying off 6 firefighters and 7 police officers as part of a strategy to balance its budget. A rally to protest such a move is planned for January 23 and Village Mayor Barrett Pedersen is a particular target because of campaign promises he made last year to protect union jobs and to resist the formation of a regional fire department.

    Indeed: in a statement on the Mayor’s page of the Village website, Mayor Pedersen thanks the voters and lays out his priorities:

    Public safety is our first priority. Our upcoming budget will include funding to improve our public safety departments and provide an increased police presence in our neighborhoods.

    Whoa! What’s happening here? Well, for one thing, neither police nor fire departments have contracts right now so they’re on the table. Also, it’s possible the mayor’s been whacked with a reality stick since the election: Read the rest of this entry

    2 Comments
    Filed under: Council/City Watch, First Responders, Payment Due? | Tagged as: , ,

    Local History, Art, and Stories Sneak Peek

    Author: Kay Shelton

    Jan 18

    The Lincoln Highway Association will hold its annual conference in Dixon this June. At some point, there will be a public call for artists, photographers, storytellers, historians, and anyone else interested to participate in an artists’ reception and/or to write their recollections of the Lincoln Highway in Illinois for a booklet. You heard it here first.

    Now you all know why I have an eye on Dixon’s petunias. Mayor Jim Burke even has petunias on his business cards.

    By the way, it looks like the folks in Dixon know how to plug business development, and keep their citizens educated in TIF.

    3 Comments
    Filed under: Community Resources, TIF

    Davos, Switzerland: Awesome Pavement

    Author: Kay Shelton

    Jan 17

    I regularly work three jobs so once in a while, I can make it to professional conferences on my own money. I just returned from my second trip to Davos, Switzerland, home of the World Economic Forum. The conference I attended this year did not fall back-to-back with the WEF, but the one in 2008 did. Anyway, one night I walked back to my hotel and crossed a driveway into a parking garage. I could feel warm pavement under my boots. It was a heated driveway. Read the rest of this entry

    0 Comments
    Filed under: Council/City Watch, National/International

    One Hundred Fifty-Four

    Author: yinn

    Jan 17

    DeKalb City Council members will soon be looking at city-owned real estate, 154 parcels in all, possibly with an eye to selling off some of these assets. But you, Dear CB Reader, do not have to wait for city staff’s compilation to get a sneak peek at the totality. After the jump, I have listed the properties using identifying info found online via the Tax Payment & Assessment Search at dekalbcounty.org. Read the rest of this entry

    1 Comment
    Filed under: Council/City Watch, Payment Due? | Tagged as: , ,
    View more posts »