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Hanging on to "My way is right!"

(5 posts)

  1. mj
    Member

    Did anyone else find this tucked in with their liquid gold, er, water bill? Does anyone else find this to be more political than presidential? Does anyone think this is a good use of our limited taxpayer funds?

    A Message from President Gorman "Continuing Forward

    As I complete my second year as your Village President, I feel as privileged as I did on the day you elected me and my fellow Trustees. It is an even more rewarding experience than I had hoped and the Village is on a positive course.

    I believe that whether we compromise, collaborate or simply do what we were elected to do, once the Village Board makes a decision on behalf of all of us, we need to make it work and move ahead. Hanging on to "My way is right!" is not in the best interests of the Village. There are just too many challenges still facing Riverside in today’s economic environment to put one’s personal point of view over the entire community.
    Looking ahead, I will continue to advocate for Riverside and use my personal and professional experiences to improve our Village and its government. This includes building relationships with our local business community, businesses in neighboring communities and developing close working relationships with elected representatives of our municipal neighbors and State and Federal officials.

    As your Village President, I serve on the Legislative Committee of the West Central Municipal Conference and the Service Delivery Task Force of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. In January I was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). CMAP is charged with the statutory responsibility for planning activities for the seven county northeastern Illinois metropolitan region that includes Cook County and the Village of Riverside. ?GO TO 2040?, adopted in October 2010, is the region’s first comprehensive plan since Daniel Burnham’s in 1909. The plan’s implementation will now be led by CMAP. Serving on these Committees and the CMAP Board provides a wealth of knowledge and information that, in turn, allows me to be a more effective Village President.

    Compromising, collaborating, doing what we were elected to do, balancing all competing interests including those of the taxpayer. Simple? Not always. But that is the essence of serving as an elected official. And for that…I Thank You!"

    Posted Thursday Feb 3, 2011 19:18 #

  2. PAR4
    Member

    I read "I am so happy you elected me and my cronies in the last election. I believe that the 'privledged few' mantra is alive and well in my town. The challenges that lie ahead will not only be addressed by me, but by my voting block as one. Have an opinion? Here's a quarter - call someone that cares. I will continue to feign interest in the few businesses left in town as I turn a deaf ear on their wishes. And to all you taxpayers out there, your interests are competing with ours so we will continue to collaborate against you...it's really simple, actually. Majority....and for that I thank you!"

    Posted Thursday Feb 3, 2011 19:45 #

  3. JillM
    Member

    I love that my tax dollars were used for another of Mr. Gorman's self-promoting rants.

    Posted Thursday Feb 3, 2011 20:19 #

  4. mj
    Member

    I think that is what concerns me the most. It sounds a bit too political for my liking. Very one sided, chastising the opposition (the whole hanging on bit). The 'my way is right' statement is actually rather comical, coming from him. He runs the place with the 'it's my way or the highway' mentality.

    I understand sending a letter to the Village, this one just seems tainted. It's not his chest pounding narcissism that bothers me (that's Gorman), it's the not so subtle political message he seems to convey.

    Nice to know he thinks the Village is on a positive course.

    Posted Thursday Feb 3, 2011 21:00 #

  5. JohnM
    Member

    There are just too many challenges still facing Riverside in today’s economic environment to put one’s personal point of view over the entire community.

    The irony, of course, is that this is exactly what the RCA bloc have been doing. Helping a business owner by allowing an overhanging sign? Sorry--it will ruin the "vistas" on Quincy. Build a parking lot that the business community wants? Well....no. There's plenty of parking at the Mason's Lodge, right? Accept a $5k donation to replenish our tree stock? Of course not! Heaven forfend--we can't use cultivars or listen to the opinion of the Village forester or the LAC. Allow the Parks and Rec Board to continue its exemplary work under difficult circumstances? No--the RCA knows best!

    There is nothing wrong with using this opportunity to provide a "State of the Village" report. There's everything wrong with using it to trumpet your "accomplishments" and make subtle digs at the other trustees.

    Posted Friday Feb 4, 2011 09:13 #

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