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1. ChrisHajer
   Member

   This could have been added to the 2010 budget discussion but I thought it might be a larger topic than that.

   Does anyone really believe everything a politician (or someone just running for office) says before he gets into office? I mean, don't you promise everything to everyone, say whatever you need to, slant the message to your advantage, just to get into office, then you go from there once in office? Did anyone actually believe everything everyone said while they were running for village office? I know I didn't. People's words are so carefully chosen not to offend that I got the impression that we were never hearing anyone's real opinion or feelings.

   So, based on that, can we just move on from harping on the RCA about the promises they made and the policy positions they held before they were elected? We're all in this together, the village board is made up of 4 RCA members and 3 other volunteers who were chosen in previous elections. I don't think there's any value in belaboring what the RCA promised before they were elected. (And because the RCA candidates were successful, it's their promises we are scrutinizing now, not the promises made by the Caucus.) I doubt any of them is going to come on here and admit they twisted the facts or message. So how about we put the past behind us and focus on what the village and the village board need to do now, with what we know now, in our current situation?

   And for the record, I voted or 3 RCA candidates and one Caucus candidate. Does anyone really vote straight ticket any more?

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 10:12 #

2. ChrisHajer
   Member

   Promises, Promises by Naked Eyes (sorry can't embed it)

   Never had a doubt in the beginning
   Never a doubt
   Trusted you true in the beginning
   I loved you right through

   On and on we laughed like kids
   At all the silly things we did

   You made me promises, promises
   Knowing I'd believe
   Promises, promises
   You knew you'd never keep

   Second time around, I'm still believing
   The words that you said
   You said you'd always be here
   And love forever still repeats in my head

   You can't finish what you start
   If this is love it breaks my heart

   You made me promises, promises
   You knew you'd never keep
   Promises, promises
   Why do I believe?

   On and on we laughed like kids
   At all the silly things we did
   But you can't finish what you start
   If this is love it breaks my heart

   You made me promises, promises
   You knew you'd never keep
   Promises, promises
   Why do I believe
   All of your promises
   You knew you'd never keep
   Promises, promises
   Why do I believe?

   Promises
   Promises
   Promises
   Promises
   Promises

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 10:18 #

3. bensells
   Member

   Chris,

   Although sitting Board members are advised by the Village Attorney not to post here for fear of violating the Open Meetings Act, I simply cannot let this one go. So I'll say my piece and be quiet.

   You ask: "I mean, don't you promise everything to everyone, say whatever you need to, slant the message to your advantage, just to get into office, then you go from there once in office?"

   My answer: No. I have not and would not.

   Everyone makes mistakes, and hopefully everyone changes their minds from time to time as they learn more, but that is not the same thing as deliberately misleading people just to get elected, which is something I have never done and something I would not do. That's a pretty big brush you are painting with.

   I find the idea that elected officials should not be held to their promises a sad one. Especially in a small Village like ours where the folks running for and holding elected office are our neighbors, I don't think it too much to ask or expect that we tell each other the truth.

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 10:42 #

4. ChrisHajer
   Member

   Thanks for posting Ben.

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 10:49 #

5. Kelly
   Member

   Chris,

   When I was slated to run for office, I make just one promise to myself, to my family and my community – to tell the truth. I had NO agenda; I was a citizen just like you. I was not a member of the caucus and was never told how to think or what to do. Throughout the campaign I learned so much about the RCA and it became abundantly clear to me how dangerous the RCA is to Riverside.

   The precursor to solving our problems is to reunite the Village. The problem is that the RCA has worked over the years and especially during the election to divide us. I truly felt during the election and still do that if we can’t unite Riverside, we will be simply overcome by the challenges this Village faces. Chris, the RCA has made NO effort to rebuild relationships. They walked in, kicked over the chairs and proceeded with their agenda.

   Our Villagers have an appetite for a beautiful, contributing downtown. They want to be involved in a meaningful way in solving our financial problems. The want to jump in and help. They NEED to know if they volunteer they will be treated with respect and dignity. Chris, this just is not happening. Look how the RCA treats members of the LAC, how they treat Martha Heine, Jean Sussman, Ben Sells, Laure Kosey, Tony, me, anyone who challenges their agenda, or anyone they perceive is from the “old regime.”

   The RCA campaigned on a platform of change, yet change has the component of articulating the goals we wish to accomplish. Change is making insightful helpful suggestions when asked. A person for change sets a goal, lays out a plan and motivates the Villagers to reach that goal. The RCA has failed in every challenge to state the change they wish to become. Evidence of a person for change lies in what they have accomplished and how they conducted themselves in the past. Look at the way they handled the TIF and tax referendum. The RCA was not neutral, they were adamant. They tore the town in two and left us with no suggestions, no plan. They are simply not capable of bringing people together in a positive way. The RCA ideology split this Village in two, it lead to deep divisions that are our new reality. A person for positive change is honest and fairly represents the issues facing us. Look at the way they are presenting the issues, they find their position then bend the facts to comply.

   Chris, I’m sorry you feel you can’t trust your fellow Villagers. Call it sour grapes, but I feel compelled to set the record straight and to note when the RCA and the RCA supporters revise history. What would you do if you were me?

   Kelly Navarro

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 12:01 #

6. ChrisHajer
   Member

   That was a very nice post Kelly; thanks for joining the discussion.

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 12:57 #

7. Michael Foley
   Member

   Nice posts Ben and Kelly. Ben I respect the job you have done as Trustee and Kelly I have never had the chance to say this to you, but you ran a great race last year I am sad that you had to run against what I call the "Dividers of Riverside" but you gave them a hell of a run. This is not the town I grew up in, it is caught up in this method of looking to the past to correct the future. If Olmsted were to ride into town he would be upset with the RCA too. Let Olmsted rest in peace. He was smart for his day and created a beautiful place but like Olmsted we too must think outside of the box. We must face our challenges with truth and with the ability to listen to others something the RCA can not do. They have their agenda and it does not include us who are not with them. They will not answer our questions except with questions and will treat their very own employees with much disrespect and play down their knowledge of things like landscaping, public works projects, and recreation issues because they know it all. I think Olmsted himself would find this strange and would not like how his work is being ignored by those who say they care but do nothing.

   The RCA is a sad state of affairs. They have not kept one promise or to me have the ability to do so. For instance they ran Katie Rush out of town because they did not like her and she was paid to much. Is it not funny that Katie found a job in another town for more money and works with a fine group of people who are given the chance to make a difference. Who is next to go, Mike Collins the Village Forester because he wants to think outside of the box and plant trees that won't die, or Greg Cook, Public Works Director who wants to fix a driveway but the RCA thinks they are paving experts. Or maybe Laurie Kosey who wants soccer goals that won't fall and kill a child.

   I will not let these new Trustees treat my Village Employees this way. We should all stand up and ask the questions and when the RCA wants to table them or dance around them do not allow it to happen. Again thanks Ben, Jean, John Scully for fighting the fight it is not in vain.

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 15:53 #

8. newriversider
   Member

   I wholeheartedly agree with earlier posts...I believe the RCA is a divisive entity in this village. Is it too early to discuss impeachment or a recall of the RCA??

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 18:09 #

9. mrt
   Member

   newriversider said:

   Is it too early to discuss impeachment or a recall of the RCA??

   Yes, it is too early, way too early, to even think of such things. Just this year a legal process called an election was conducted to fill slots of our Village representatives, and they were the ones elected by the majority of Riverside voters - as was the case in the previous administration.

   And, unlike the previous administration's election, there were good solid opponents of the RCA in this election which prompted vigourous discussion replete with several public debates. It was all in the open. One can say that the election outcome fairly represents the will of the people of Riverside.

   Barring patent violations of the law, anyone wishing to remove them should wait til the next opportunity to do so, at the next election. In the meantime, go to the meetings and let 'em know how you feel, or post here, or write letters in the papers. They might listen to your voice if it is a specific and rational criticism and not name calling.

   http://www.voterinfonet.com/results/040709/SummaryElection040709RaceNum313.html?Party=ALL
   http://www.voterinfonet.com/results/040709/SummaryElection040709RaceNum314.html?Party=ALL

   As far as promises go, the RCA primarily ran on fiscal responsibility. They trotted the Burlington parking lot as an example of fiscal irresponsibility - and ALOT of people were specifically against this pre election, I discovered. Now they are trying slow down the spending, including taking a step back from spending on the burlington lot, and I see from the latest Board agenda that Kim posted that shevitz is trying to rope in the masonic temple for parking. So I see diligent scrounging around to save a buck. Seems consistant with their promises to me. scrounge and save a buck wherever we can.

   Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 18:43 #

10. PAR4
    Member

    As I watch the proceedings of each meeting, I can only hope that each item on the agenda is taken individually on its own merits. But, unfortunately, it seems that the final vote always comes down to Mr. Gorman saying 'I have a civic duty to the people that elected me....', and we all know the outcome....(I commend Mr. Shevitz for feigning the desire to be impartial, but his continued following of the 'party line' shows his true colors).

    Infighting by our 'factions' caused us to miss the opportunity to develop/market/sell a large portion of our CBD - meaning a HUGE loss of tax revenue and empty/vacant space for untold years.

    Although the current administration was elected by 'our village' - their agenda seems to be focused on listening to themselves. I have a suggestion for the Trustees:

    Go stand at the train station in the morning and ask THE PEOPLE what their opinion is. I believe it would be an eye opening experience for you.

    Posted Thursday Sep 17, 2009 19:00 #

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