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1. JohnM
   Member

   Interesting article in the Landmark about an IDNR study on local flooding:

   http://www.rblandmark.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=5937&TM=58005.09

   And an interesting comment by President Gorman when asked to comment on the study (which he received in February):

   The Riverside Community Alliance pledged to advocate for our residents who are impacted by Des Plaines River flooding," Gorman wrote. "There is a significant cost to the village whenever flooding occurs. As we have done since our election in April 2009, we will continue to partner with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and the Riverside Residents for Flood Prevention in order to pursue avenues for addressing the hardship suffered by Riverside residents.

   What on earth is he thinking? Why politicize this issue, and turn a question about a study done by another governmental entity into a plug for the RCA? Seems to me that the President needs to remember that he is running the Village now, and not just leading a political party. Has he marginalized the other trustees to such an extent that he doesn't even feel the need to pretend that they have a say in governing?

   Of course, his response does beg the question of what exactly the RCA has done with respect to flooding? A thinly disguised campaign rally a few months back? Lip service to residents who live in flood prone areas? Anything?

   Posted Saturday Mar 20, 2010 15:29 #

2. corbi296
   Member

   John,

   Don't forget that was the answer he provided subsequently via e-mail after being unable to answer the question when it was first posed. Given my past experience with Mr. Gorman, it is highly likely that he had not even read the report when the Landmark asked him about it. What came later is a canned political answer likely provided to Gorman by Mark Shevitz.

   Posted Saturday Mar 20, 2010 21:54 #

3. spatny
   Member

   [edited by admin] I happen to know that Mike and Lonnie did a lot to get the bridge area cleaned out, and have tried to get the agencies involved in some kind of a solution to solve this. It's tough - water runs downhill. It will take a lot of dollars to do a bypass of sorts. The Corps of Engineers has screwed up a lot of water projects - like NO and the Glades to name the biggest. So I wouldn't hold my breath to see the dollars flow to fix this - but I credit the effort to try.

   And I think is at least as qualified to be VP as his predecessor(s). I think he is doing a good job given the circumstances. I know he wouldn't have been dumb enough to buy those two houses and grant those variances to the VC. Maybe in ten years someone will actually buy in there.... maybe.

   Posted Sunday Mar 21, 2010 17:41 #

4. JillM
   Member

   A good leader, when pointedly asked, as Village Board President, to comment on the study, would have commented on the study as it affects Riverside, and not pull out a campaign rally. Floods affect not just those homeowners, but all tax payers, because of the efforts of Public Works to mitigate flooding and to clean up after.

   A good leader would not go out of his or her way to publicly slam an outgoing Village staff member in the press.

   A good leader would not lose his or her temper with Trustees, staff or residents in public.

   A good leader would not give him or herself a (taxpayer funded) framed award for simply doing their job.

   And finally, a good leader would represent all Riversiders, not just those who voted for them.

   Posted Sunday Mar 21, 2010 18:32 #

5. newriversider
   Member

   JillM...I couldn't agree with you more.

   Posted Sunday Mar 21, 2010 18:42 #

6. newriversider
   Member

   JillM...thank you for stating the obvious.

   Posted Sunday Mar 21, 2010 18:43 #

7. admin
   Administrator

   I deleted some posts and edited others here as well. Try to stay away from the personal stuff and stick to the topic at hand. Thanks

   Posted Monday Mar 22, 2010 00:11 #

8. corbi296
   Member

   Admin, I think you are way off base with some of the things you deleted. My comments regarding Mr. Gorman's policies and his qualifications for the position of Village President are not personal, they just speak to my opinion of his ability to represent us as Village President. When you run for public office you subject yourself to public scrutiny. I don't recall this type of censorship when there were critics of the previous administration making all kinds of comments on this board. This is blatant censorship that seems to reveal a personal bias on your part.

   Posted Monday Mar 22, 2010 07:13 #

9. mr
   Member

   I agree with Mr. corbi296. Some posts were deleted on the Health Care Thread based on the fact that they were personal and had nothing to do with health care. Yet the very offensive and personal comments about Representative Boehner, and those who agree with him, remain. Those comments do no include any intelligent discussion of health care reform. I guess we ban statements about some elected officials and not others.

   I also feel that the comments made were not personal or mean spirited. Mr. Spatney pretty much spouts Democratic Party talking points without any real discussion of why their positions are a good value for the taxpayer. His positions on taxes are very inconsistent.

   Posted Monday Mar 22, 2010 09:21 #

10. admin
    Administrator

    corbi296, I deleted one post by spatny that had nothing to do at all with this topic and was just talking about RBHS. Then I deleted your post which addressed spatny's off-topic comment. I suppose this part (below) could have stayed in, but it seemed out of context at the time. Here is the edited comment posted by corbi296:

    I don't like Mr. Gorman's policies and don't believe he is qualified to hold the position of Village President.

    I have no problem with criticism of public officials, but spatny took us off track with the RBHS comment and then we veered further in that direction. Please feel free to email me directly if you'd like to discuss further chrishajer [at] gmail [dot] com

    Posted Monday Mar 22, 2010 10:19 #

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