I will give Shevitz credit where credit is due, I just love this new board meetings on line function. I'm giving Shevitz credit because this seems like his thing, maybe Jean did it, regardless, its great.
If you want to decide if Gorman humilated Laure, go to this link and watch the meeting yourself.
http://www.riverside.il.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={C1F96D93-F793-46F4-A2F8-A0368B1D49F7}
Catherine,
I watched the meeting on TV and though Gorman's treatment of Kosey was inappropriate. Maybe it was different in person or maybe we have different views on what is or isn't right.
Regardless, the point that I think is being missed is that the Rec Department did go to the Board with a slashed budget for capital improvement in the parks. They have done what was asked of them and have shown themselves willing to work within the fiscal constraints imposed on them.
The latest meeting I can download is June 22nd.
Where is the video link to what you are referring?
You are right - the Monday July 20th meeting has not been uploaded yet. (I TIVO'd the meeting and watched it.)
There is no choice but to live within the fiscal constraints; unwillingness is not a choice. Grace is. When you present cuts then say they compromise child safety and that therefore you would rather not make any, that is not appropriate.
I was looking forward to the end of the Rec subsidy as it promised. I still look forward to it. Then there will be no need whatsoever for such discussions and an unending source of such divisiveness. I think it is a mistake to continue this relationship. Obviously, no good deed will go unpunished.
Catherine,
I guess it is a matter of perception. I saw a Village employee give an honest answer to a question and get the back of the hand in response; you saw an insubordinate Village employee rightfully chastised.
With regard to the Rec Department as a whole, I don't see anyway they can become self sufficient--based on what I know of their programs, I cannot see them taking in enough revenue to meet their expenses. I wonder if this will result int the Department being abolished, though. I would not think the administration would be eager to pull the plug on a Department that offers programs to the Villages children. Perhaps an accomodation can be made for the Department to be 75 percent or so self-supporting.
Precisely; we'll agree to disagree.
Rec said they would do it. This is why the last board did not cut off the levy to them as promised, but only cut it by half on the promise of self-sustaining. No, I don't think this Board is eager or in any way desirous of pulling the plug on Rec. That is why I think it is unfair to keep beating on them about it. But I think Rec should follow through on their promise.
What also serves the children of the village is safety. It serves the elderly and everyone else too. It is the sine qua non of our quality of life. Personally, I would rather see that extra police officer. It is my recollection Candice Grace shared this opinion about the spending choices. My view is that we should make sure police, fire and infrastructure are all covered properly, then allocate the rest of the money with a just sense of proportion. Income projections to the village have fallen sharply as a result of the recession.
I think every department and every special interest group and every trustee should cooperate to make this happen. Any choices or sacrifice needed should be shared.
It is true, this board has said repeatedly they will provide funding for the rec department and does seem inclined to give them latitude in working to becoming self funding.
Catherine - Our rec department does serve seniors to some extent. The programming for seniors in North Riverside is extensive - I believe our goal should be increase senior programming when the funding isn't so tight.
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