I agree with you Fred, one party is never a good idea, look at the mess in Cook County. We've had contested elections before, generally independents being elected as trustee. A contested election will be good for the Village and a mix on the board between the two groups should generate useful discussion and some needed changes.
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(26 posts)-
Posted Friday Jan 23, 2009 16:46 #
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Well, it will be divided anyway. The other trustees not up for election are all caucus candidates. If RCA candidayes were not elected then it would bejust what we have - a one party Board. Fred, I have many times gone to Board meetings, stood up and said complimentary things about DPW, Forestry, even things the Board has done. I even have a couple letters from them thanking me for things I have done. But mostly it has been me chiding them for some of the things they have done connected to development issues, or spending. Guys, I really think we are in for a much deeper and protracted downturn, and the policies we have had before can simply not cover what we need. I don't think we should be spending the money we subscribed for on Centennial now, but it's too late. 80% grants still cost us 30%, plus extras. We could live without lights on the watertower. The million bucks that was sent to the capital improvements side of the ledger should be brought back, and if we need to do cap improvements then we should have a tax referendum for that - not for this bogus shortfall. It's great to buy cars and trucks on sked, and no doubt saves money on maint., but we may not be able to do it without borrowing, and then that is a different cost effective computation. We need to look at things differently now. This money wasted on B2 zoning is an example. There isn't going to be anything built there for a good long while, if ever. Sometimes we all just need to say "no."
Posted Friday Jan 23, 2009 16:59 # -
Yes, I think the point of this thread and indeed the whole challenge to the Caucus candidates is that we are best served by contested elections, not by having unopposed nominees chosen for us by 12 people. Kevin Smith, who began as an independent running against persons so chosen but now consenting to be so chosen, once said this:
"When all think alike . . .no one is thinking."
W. Lippman"A major concern is that with a single political party controlling the entirety of Riverside's elected government and its purse strings, exclusionary tendencies will set in. This is not meant to cast aspersions on anyone, but to call attention to a natural phenomenon: the structure that assures political survival tends to take precedence over building broad-based community support. Over the course of the last seven consecutive biannual elections (from 1987), the voters of Riverside have chosen to have an Independent (non-Caucus) presence on the Village Board. For the twenty-plus years I have lived in Riverside, a named political party has never appeared on the local ballot, until now."
http://www.riverside-illinois.com/Candidates/KevinSmith.htm
So, presumably, Kevin Smith should welcome competition and not call them names and asperse their abilities.
As for us, when we have a chance to see a public debate, we too will have something of substance to go on.
Posted Friday Jan 23, 2009 17:04 # -
Catherine -
My father (who was visiting from out of state babysitting my kids) said that someone came by our house Saturday afternoon asking for a signature on a petition. He said he was from out of state. He thought it was for village board. Perhaps there is someone out there also thinking of running.
You mentioned the "histories of these folks" as something I should research. In your mind what are the biggest differences between the candidates? I am looking for something factual not opinion.
Also - do have a suggestion for an organization to host a debate? On behalf of the V of R, I would be glad to contact them to see if they would be willing to host.
Thanks.
Posted Sunday Jan 25, 2009 19:30 # -
when did Mr Smith make that quote? was it 1987+(7 x 2)=2001?
Posted Sunday Jan 25, 2009 23:07 # -
I don't know the date of those comments by Kevin Smith.
R, I mentioned the issues upon which the Caucus candidates should be researched. Of course, we do not know the unknowns with specificity. Well, the more the merrier.
If anyone hears about a public event where we might actually learn something we can discuss, please post it.
I have already suggested debate to the Landmark, in a letter to the editor of the Landmark, and to whomever of the candidates I know. The village government itself cannot really get involved, but we could use the Township Hall, the library, and the local cable will broadcast anything of local interest given 4 weeks notice. I have suggested that notice be given. Any informed member of the press would be a good moderator, it seems to me. It seems to me also the parties can do presentations or call debates of their own initiative. The local press could advise of any such initiatives.
Posted Monday Jan 26, 2009 14:37 #
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