Naperville has two new faces on Forest Preserve ballot
By Susan Frick Carlman scarlman@stmedianetwork.com November 5, 2012 3:36PM
Joseph Cantore, candidate for District 2, DuPage County Forest Preserve District
Updated: November 5, 2012 5:21PM
Two of the three incumbent commissioners representing portions of Naperville on the board of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County hope to keep their positions when Tuesday’s ballots are cast.
Voters will choose from one Republican and one Democrat for each position in Districts 2, 3 and 5. As a result of last year’s electoral district realignments, all three areas include portions of Naperville, although most of the city lies in District 5.
Two newcomers are on the District 5 ballot after longtime commission member Carl Schultz fell short in his re-election bid in last spring’s Republican primary.
Here are candidate profiles and their answers to questions posed by The Sun. Most also have websites that can be located easily with an internet search.
District 2
Joseph Cantore, Republican (incumbent)
Age: 40
Hometown: Oak Brook
Profession: Real Esate Management
Family: Married
Past elected positions: Alderman, City of Oakbrook Terrace, 1998-2002
Appointed positions:
-Chairman, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Recreation Committee (6 years)
-Former Commissioner, Oakbrook Terrace Planning and Zoning Commission, (2 years, 1996-1998
Civic involvement:
-Member, The Conservation Foundation
-Member, Illinois Arborist Association
-Former Volunteer Teacher, Marmion Academy (2 years)
-Volunteer Police Officer (16 years)
-Volunteer, “Meals on Wheels” for York Township Seniors, operated by DuPage Senior Citizens Council (15 years)
-Member of Visitation Church, Elmhurst, IL (40 years)
Why do you want to remain on the commission?
When I was first elected as forest preserve commissioner, I was motivated by my strong love of nature, our environment and the desire to give back to the community where I have spent my whole life. The forest preserves of DuPage County always impressed me as being well run and the preserves I visited always looked fantastic, something many of us take for granted. After I became a commissioner, I found out why: The entire forest preserve staff has always been committed to preserving DuPage County’s open space in the most professional way I’ve ever seen ANY municipal agency take care of open space. Everyone from our naturalists to our ecologists to our land planners to our finance staff and beyond are committed to our mission statement and take it to heart every day.
When I was first elected, I made 5 core promises based on what I believed were the core issues facing the Forest Preserve at that time. They included:
-Acquiring more open space
-Making preserves more accessible to the public
-Implementing sensible environmental management
-Holding the line on taxes and spending
-Stopping the practice of forced condemnation of private property
I’ve kept these 5 core promises throughout my tenure in office and believe these 5 issues are still of paramount importance. I pledge to not only continue to achieve these goals, but also to adapt and address new issues as they arise.
Other priorities include maintaining our position as the leader in environmental ethics, education, restoration, and compatible recreation. The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is currently considered one of the finest Special Districts in the nation. We need to and will strive to continue to provide opportunities for all of our constituents.
What do you see as the biggest challenge the commission will face in
the coming two years?
With District land acquisition on the decline, our programming and capital improvements are going to take the spotlight in the coming years.
And with programming and capital improvements taking center stage in the coming years, the biggest challenge will the Forest Preserve District (just like every other public agency) continuing to get along with less. But what the District needs to do is continue to provide more, and I know we can do that. We’ve been delivering fantastic programs like the new archery range at Blackwell and the Fullersburg Bridge with less taxpayer funds, by applying for grants, sponsorships, and public private partnerships.
We have to do more with less.
Do you see ways in which the district could make better use of taxpayers’ dollars? If so, how?
Being in business for 25 years, I’ve always looked out for the bottom line, and I’ve made it a priority to do just that since the first day I took office. In business, you are always striving to come in with the same product at better pricing. Working for the Forest Preserve and the taxpayers, you take the same ideas and apply them to our land acquisition, programming, and capital improvement projects. I think the Forest Preserve has a first class product that we are continually improving and bringing to the taxpayers of the county at very competitive tax rate.
Do you consider reasonable the compensation given to commission members? If not, should it be more or less - and why?
Thank you for including this question. I am proud of the fact that I was the commissioner who led the charge to reduce commissioner salaries and was effective at reducing the salaries of commissioners. The original motion put forth was to reduce the salary to that of county board members, and even though that motion wasn’t supported by a majority of the board, I was able to realize a reduction of approximately 7%, or $4,000.
I still believe that forest preserve commissioner salaries should be equal to county board members and will continue to work toward that goal.
Don Kirchenberg, Democrat
Age: 60
Hometown: Downers Grove
Profession: 30 year professional in Supply Chain Management including warehousing transportation and the related technologies
Family:
Past elected positions: none
Current appointed positions: Glendale Heights Water Rate Commission
Civic involvement: As many know I have been working hard for decades to help protect the trees including the forest preserves, trails and trail users. For example I served as a volunteer as President of the IL Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation for over 7 years and on the organization’s board of directors for 9. I am also the ongoing Voluntary Chairman of the Friends of the Great Western Trails. I founded the Friends of the GWTs group and have been leading it for 12 years to the benefit of the trail, trail users and surrounding communities. n addition there were many different efforts across DuPage County where I participated in and help lead campaigns to protect our natural resources and quality of life in DuPage County. I am proud of all those successful efforts but there is one in particular that I really liked because it resulted in the preservation of a unique part of DuPage County. I started the campaign and called the parcel the “Special 8.” The neighbors, trail users and the especially the IL Prairie Path group helped win the fight for the preservation of over 8 acres of unique forest in DuPage County. This property was saved from a proposed development of 46 town homes with a new street crossing on the IL Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn. This land is now the Glacial Ridge Forest Preserve of DuPage County. It is a unique and some say an important part of DuPage County because it was never developed and offers groupings of trees that they do not even have at the Morton Arboretum. Here are some news stories from Chicago Wilderness about this special and very successful effort. Check the Saving Kame article here http://www.chicagowilderness.org/CW_Archives/issues/winter2002/newswild.htmlAND check out a report on the success of my leadership in saving this parcel of land http://www.chicagowilderness.org/CW_Archives/issues/spring2005/news/dupagekame.html
I am also the President of the Chicago Roundtable of CSCMP which is the oldest and some say the best non profit education focused group dedicated to the improvement of supply chain management which includes warehousing, transportation and the related technologies. More info can be found at www.cscmpchicago.org. I have served on the executive board for many years and I am honored to serve as their President for the 2012 -13 meeting year. Additionally I have served as a volunteer on the excutive board and as President of the Chicagoland WERCouncil another group dedicated to the improvement of supply chain management. More info can be found at www.werc.org
Why do you want to join the commission?
The Commissioners and President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County must be held accountable for their failure to safeguard our tax dollars. When I attend meetings I don’t hear many questions if any while many millions of our taxes are spent and sent to companies that are awarded single bid contracts. We need a full investigation and accounting of why these companies get the millions without a competing bid. Here is the big news about the FBI’s investigation of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120802/news/708029745/ The citizens of DuPage County deserve a more open and honest Forest Preserve District where the President and Commissioners do not accept any campaign contributions from any companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District. No one should get rich from public service. Here is more info on the unethical and what should be illegal campaign contributions accepted by Commissioner Cantore (District 2): http://elmhurst.patch.com/blog_posts/kirchenberg-opposes-pay-to-play-contracting-at-dupage-forest-preserve
What do you see as the biggest challenge the commission will face in the coming two years?
The FPD of DC still needs to answer questions about how far and long the theft of our tax dollars continued with illegal kickbacks and bad contracts. It is my understanding that the DuPage County States Attorney and the FBI has continued their investigation which or may not even include a grand jury. They have yet to disclose all the details of the findings of their investigation but needless to say steps and new rules must be implemented to help prevent the theft of our tax dollars. The FPD of DC is operating with a procurement policy from the 1980’s which is in severe need of being rewritten. Here are my concerns about that decades old policy: http://citizensforkirchenberg.blogspot.com/2012/09/when-is-forest-preserve-districts.html
Do you see ways in which the district could make better use of taxpayers’ dollars? If so, how?
One immediate area of improvement and reduction in cost is to bring in house the majority of the legal work currently done using outside attorneys at the cost of many hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. They will always be the need for an occasional outside resource but to use outside legal services for all legal work is too expensive.
Do you consider reasonable the compensation given to commission members? If not, should it be more or less - and why?
No one should get rich from public service. Since the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County was separated from the DuPage County Board they have been allowed to run as an exclusive club by the same group of politicians. They have allowed the following questionable practices:
- Given contracts to companies totaling many millions of our tax dollars without competing bids.
- Been paid over $53,000 per year with a pension and full time benefits for a part time job.
- Hired family members with well paying jobs.
I will not take a pension as a district commissioner.
District 3
Steven Leopoldo, Democrat
Hometown: Darien
Profession: Public Opinion Researcher
Age: 29
Family: Married, one child
Education: A.B. - Cum Laude Political Science, Minor Economics, Rollins College, 2004. M.A. Public Administration with Survey Research Methods concentration, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2015 (Expected).
Civic Involvement: Former Vice President of the Villas of Deer Creek Homeowners Association, active member of the League of Conservation Voters, the International Crane Foundation, and The Wilderness Society.
Political experience: Current Precinct Committee Person, Downers Grove Township.
Why do you want to join the commission?
DuPage County taxpayers deserve a commissioner who serves for the right reasons. I have over seven years of experience in public policy, management, and protecting our environment. I am concerned about the future of our preserves, how our tax dollars are being misused, and how whistleblowers are being harassed and horses neglected at Danada Equestrian Center.
My commitment to safeguarding our preserves and tax dollars earned the endorsement of the Illinois Sierra Club. I will never substitute my judgment over ecologist and biologist to the detriment of our preserves. Even though Commissioners are accepting full-time taxpayer-paid benefits packages of over eighty thousand dollars a year, they only serve part-time. I will refuse the taxpayer-funded pension and pledge to work as a full-time Commissioner. With an FBI investigation for fraudulent spending rocking the District, the time is now for full-time leaders who solve problems.
What do you see as the biggest challenge the commission will face in the coming two years?
The future holds several challenges for DuPage County and the Forest Preserve District. Water quality and control will be an issue for generations to come. The Forest Preserve District must show leadership in water conservation and best practices in managing storm water.
The District will retire a substantial portion of its debt service over the course of another four years. The tax levy should be reduced to reflect the decreased debt burden as bonds are repaid and retired. Now that land acquisition has largely been completed by the district, it is the responsibility of the District to maintain high quality preserves and to improve others. We must be careful to ensure our budgets focus on the core of the District’s responsibility in preserving open space, rather than taking away open space with additional buildings.
Do you see ways in which the district could make better use of taxpayers’ dollars? If so, how?
The District currently operates without an ethics committee to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and in the most appropriate manner. The procurement policy, which guides the District’s contracts and spending, is nearly a quarter century old and does not require subcontracts, conflicts of interests, or owners to be identified. We are vulnerable to fraud and misuse of tax dollars until these critical policies are updated and in place.
There is currently a failure of leadership, accountability, and a lack of willpower to make the policy changes necessary to stop wasteful spending at the District. We need leaders who can identify cost savings and improvements throughout the District. For example, the Danada Equestrian Center is paying for emergency purchases of hay due to a national shortage from this summer’s drought. The district possesses several low-quality preserve lands that could be used to produce higher quality local feed for our horses at a fraction of the cost.
Do you consider reasonable the compensation given to commission members? If not, should it be more or less - and why?
My opponent accepted a substantial raise upon assuming office in 2008. The current level of compensation exceeds $83,000 a year for a part-time job and includes a full-time taxpayer funded pension. This is unacceptable. I pledge to not add to our pension debt burden and will not take a public pension once elected. I also feel current commissioners do not put in the time or effort necessary to justify their salary. I pledge to serve as a full-time Commissioner and not accept compensation greater than that of DuPage County Board members.
Linda Painter, Republican (incumbent)
Age: 54
Hometown: Hinsdale
Profession: Registered Nurse – Pediatrics
Family: married with three grown children
Elected Position: Forest Preserve Commissioner – District 3; 2008 - present
Civic Involvement: Timberlake Civic Association, President; Kiwanis, Board Member; Downers Grove Township Republican Organization Committeeman and Secretary; Argonne National Lab Community Leaders Round Table; South DuPage Women’s Republican Organization; Timberlake Women’s Club; DuPage Mother of Twins Club; Foster Dog Parent
Why do you want to remain on the commission?
I was elected in 2008 believing that open space is vital to DuPage County. Over the last 4 years, I was instrumental in acquiring over 83 acres of open space in District 3 and 473 acres countywide. I am now looking forward to improving the land we own and making the forest preserves accessible for the residents to use. I believe educating children and adults about our environment and our open space is an ongoing goal that I have and will strive to meet this goal during my next term.
What do you see as the biggest challenge the commission will face in the coming two years?
Now that open space is running out, we are changing the District’s focus to improving the land that we own to make them quality open space and at the same time inviting residents to visit the beauty of our preserves. To accomplish this, we need to have trails, scenic overlooks, rest areas, and other amenities to provide accessibility to all residents. It is also important to communicate to the residents the many programs and events the Forest Preserve District has to offer.
Do you see ways in which the district could make better use of taxpayers’ dollars? If so, how?
We consistently look at ways to cut costs yet provide beautiful forest preserves and excellent programs and events for the residents of DuPage County to enjoy. This past year we have reduced our budget without reducing services. Both the staff and Commissioners believe in running a fiscally responsible organization by evaluating all cost-saving aspects both big and small, and I will continue to spend tax dollars wisely.
Do you consider reasonable the compensation given to commission
members? If not, should it be more or less - and why?
The current Commission reduced the salaries of the Commissioners for the upcoming term and froze the salary for 4 years. The Commissioners are on-call and accessible to the residents and staff 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. I make myself available to residents both in and out of meetings. Besides meetings, I attend and actively participate in many of the programs and events the Forest Preserve District offers.
District 5
Dennis P. Clark, Democrat
Age: 57
Hometown: unincorporated area between Winfield and Naperville
Profession: Principal of Clark Property Consultants, Inc.; a firm that specializes in land management, property due diligence inspections and construction monitoring on real estate transactions for national banks and pension funds, regional banks, and insurance companies.
Family: wife Christine and daughter Alyssa. We have lived in DuPage for 32 years; 10 years in Naperville.
Education/Degrees:
Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Six-Sigma Green Belt
Illinois Real Estate Managing Broker’s License
OSHA 30, MSHA 46.5 and First Aid Safety Training
PMP Designation and ITIL Certification in 2012
Open Meeting Act Certification-Illinois Attorney General
Ethics training for appointees to State Boards
Wetland Conservation & Management Morton Arboretum
Midwest Ecological Prescription Burn Training
Beekeeping DuPage Forest Preserve
Three equestrian education and riding classes at Danada Equestrian Center
Open Water and Night Time NAUI Scuba Certifications
Master Yachtman’s and Off Shore Sailing Certifications
Certified Woodland Steward Morton Arboretum
Certified Naturalist Morton Arboretum
Naperville Citizen Academy
Civic Involvement:
Elected Offices Held: None
Appointed Government Services:
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission
Plan Commissioner of Winfield – Third Term
Zoning Commissioner of Winfield
Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Board Member
Director Illinois Prairie Path, Membership Chair and Lifetime Member
West Chicago Prairie Stewardship Group
Conservation Foundation Member
Local River Monitor for the River Prairie Group
Member and Volunteer Morton Arboretum
DuPage Forest Preserve Volunteer
Member WildOnes Native Plant Group
National Member of the Audubon Society
Plan Commissioner of Winfield - Three Terms
Zoning Commissioner of Winfield - One Term
President of West-Win HOA (over 700 unincorporated homes)
Director Winfield United
Candidate for DuPage Environmental Commission
Why do you want to join the commission?
I have a strong belief in better government and the environment. After attending
four years of Forest Preserve Board meetings, researching and reporting on the poor management policies, and volunteering for workdays….I can attest that the Forest Preserve Board needs help in both of these areas. I understand that there will be constraints to change; but the organization needs to become accountable to the public.
The forest preserves are not parks; the missions are different and people with park back grounds are interested in “improvements” and organized activities … and this only raises your taxes; this is not needed! We need the right people elected to this Board since they will be instrumental in setting the policies and culture for the next decade as they search for a new executive director. The last executive director retired quite suddenly the same time the FBI announced its investigation of the Forest Preserve. The Board provided a generous severance package that was not in line with his contract. My opponent was on the Naperville Park Board during the years of corruption and oversaw the hiring and dismissal of several park executive directors at a great cost to the taxpayers and in services. We need someone with experience in developing an organization,
establishing appropriate policies, someone with financial, HR and project
management skills coupled with solid land management skills. I have experience in all of these areas and carry certifications from the Morton Arboretum as a Naturalist and a Woodland Steward and training in wetland development and prescription burns.
What do you see as the biggest challenge the commission will face in the coming two years?
I love our forest preserves and all that they provide from clean water, clean air, open space and a place to escape our fast-paced world to reflect and nurture the soul. However, I am sure by now that most people have seen the many articles in the media regarding the mismanagement at the Forest Preserve District; problems so bad that it prompted investigations by the Better Government Association and the FBI and charges for three on contract kickback schemes.
The immediate focus should be on addressing these problems and regaining the trust of the taxpayers; insuring that the taxpayers are receiving value for their monies. It will take a strong leader without special interest connections to provide the following improvements to make our forest preserves fiscally and ethically strong:
A. An appropriate ethics policy should be approved, an ethics review board established and ethics training for Board members and Department Heads should be implemented. There should be no compromise on ethics. Ethics needs to become part of the culture.
B. The Board needs to set the example period. They need to eliminate the use of no-bid contracts and the practice of taking campaign contributions from those same vendors! The Board needs to be good stewards of our tax dollars as well as the land. Compensation of Board members is not realistic. The combination of salary, health benefits for the whole family and a pension that is approaching $90,000 per year for a two-hour weekly meeting is unacceptable. This is a Board position, not a full time job!
The Executive Director retired rather quickly once the FBI investigation was underway. A search for a replacement and a review of the job description, the accountabilities and the responsibilities, is needed quickly. The object should be to insure that the new Executive Director takes an active role in the day-to-day activities and has current skills in leading an organization and transforming the culture.
The hiring policies that allow employment of family members to key positions will require a critical review and a policy developed.
The Board should begin the process of defining the terms “education” and “recreation” that have crept into the Mission statement. The open-ended descriptions for these terms has allowed select connected organizations to tap the needs for votes and support to obtain millions of dollars in funding for questionable projects. It has led to infighting and complete confusion by the public of what is the exact Mission of the Forest Preserve. By defining the terms, everyone can start to play by the same rules. The excessive cost for legal fees, the need for these costs and the screening of legal counsel will require a complete overhaul. The hiring of legal support that has had their license suspended should never happen and the $400,000 that the general counsel is paid is unacceptable.
Closer work with the County Government to address chronic flooding and
develop a comprehensive plan is overdue.
The contracting with political strategists during election seasons must stop
immediately! The function of the 7-person in-house PR department that costs
about $500,000 in salary and benefits should be evaluated and modified as
needed.
Transparency that will allow citizens to easily understand the organization’s
goals, expenditures and to observe meetings and obtain information needs
to be part of the overall culture change. This will dovetail into the ethics reforms and provide the platform that will begin the process to rebuild the lost trust in the organization. Night meetings, citizen involvement, listening and addressing public comments in a respectful way, and videotaping the Board meetings and posting them on the web site are all changes that need to be embraced.
K. The Mission to acquire land should not be lost as the organization undergoes a transformation. The District needs to be acquiring lands to connect preserves,
connect trails and provide flood relief that will in turn create additional wetlands that are the best way to improve biodiversity. There are many quality parcels that could be purchased…. land with unique features and vegetation that requires protection. A program to bring back native plants through plantings within the forest preserves and education of the public is a core mission for me. Native plants offer many benefits including providing food for wildlife.
I have a vision for a truly transparent, efficient and respected organization and the items listed above will start the process; there is much work to do and I have a long list of suggested improvements for the District…. and I cannot wait to get started.
Do you see ways in which the district could make better use of taxpayers’ dollars? If so, how?
Over a million dollars can be saved in the existing budget by eliminating the pension and health benefits for Board members, the no-bid contract scheme that allows current Board members to overpay for contracts and then take contributions from those same vendors, the sky high payments to the general counsel, the cost of public relations and the direct salaries of Board members. With these saved monies, the Forest Preserve can hire 100 seasonal employees and stewards to supervise them and address many neglected land management issues that are the core of the Forest Preserve Mission. This will help bring jobs to DuPage, introduce botany and land management careers to the next generation and improve our preserves at the same time. Let’s make our tax dollars improve efficiency and put the money into people’s pockets that need it rather than a select few family members and friends as is currently being done.
Do you consider reasonable the compensation given to commission members? If
not, should it be more or less - and why?
Current compensation of Board members is not realistic. The combination of salary, health benefits for the whole family and a pension that is approaching $90,000 per year for a two-hour weekly meeting is unacceptable. This is a Board position, not a full time job! I have always had the same answer; the pension and health benefits need to go and the salary should be reduced from the current $57,000 per year to $24,000 per year. Then we need to restructure the operation and move to night meetings like most other Boards; then cut the salary again to a $250 stipend per meeting. If you do not attend, they you do not get paid. At $250 per meeting, that is $12,000 per year. A reasonable compensation for what should be a labor of love as a public servant. I have never flip-flopped on the issue like my opponent; check the record and ask the hard questions, get direct answers, elect the people with the right skills and background and the willingness to work as a public servant.
Mary Lou Wehrli
Age: 59
Hometown: Naperville
Profession: property management and sales
Family: 32 years with husband Herb Nadelhoffer.
Naperville Park District Commissioner, 1999-2005
President Naperville Park District, 2000-2001
Citizen Advocacy:
Bike Trail Link: DuPage Riverway Trail between Jefferson and Ogden Avenues in Naperville. 2008-2012 (completed!)
Greene Farmstead: stabilization of the barn (completed!) and long range planning. 1982-present.
Current Service:
Naperville Parks Foundation Board
Greene Farm Citizen Analysis Committee of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County
Past Service:
DuPage Neighbors for Open Space, Clean Water & Clean Air Co-Chair of successful $68M referendum
Riverwalk Foundation President
Naperville Heritage Society Board
KidsMatter Board
Rotary Club of Naperville Sunrise Board
Westside Home Owners Association President
Millennium Carillon Foundation Board
Naperville Downtown Plan Steering Committee Appointee
Friends of the Nichols Library Director
Naperville Post Office Consumer Advisory Council Member
Naperville Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Board
Special Event Leadership:
NaperDink Triathlon Chair
Bottom Feeder Ball Chair
Rotary Beaux Arts Ball: Chair Live & Silent Auctions and Raffle
Naperville Sesquicentennial Grand Parage Chair
Naperville Sesquicentennial Commemoratives Co-Chair
Naperville Sesquicentennial Photo Album Co-Editor
Naperville Chamber of Commerce Leadership Academy,
Citizens Fire Academy, Citizens Police Academy, CERT
Why do you want to join the commission?
I want to join the commission as a team player who will enhance the forest preserve’s balanced contribution to the quality of life in DuPage County. As a representative of District 5 - a place I know very well, whose people I admire and respect, and who have taught me the value of our shared environment - I look forward to being available, knowledgeable and vocal in this unit of local government.
What do you see as the biggest challenge the commission will face in the coming two years?
The biggest challenge the commission will face in the coming two years is an adjustment in the culture of the forest preserve. Work in this area will include, but is not limited to: a new board with at least 50 percent new members learning to work together, hiring a new, team-building executive director, televised meetings, policy development, strategic planning and a more open budget process.
Do you see ways in which the district could make better use of taxpayers’ dollars? If so, how?
The district can make better use of taxpayers’ dollars by developing policies for spending. For example, how much taxpayer money should go toward buildings and infrastructure vs. native plant restoration vs. land acquisition? Should golf be supported only with an enterprise fund (no tax dollars)? The district can make better use of taxpayers’ dollars by establishing committees that include interested citizens and stakeholders to help create a 2030 Master Plan. When was the last time DuPage County residents were surveyed about their forest preserve district: satisfaction, priorities, long range plans? Will results lead to tax expansion, stabilization, or reduction as the forest preserve evaluates its delivery of desired services, maintenance standards, and partnerships in the first quarter of the 21st-century? Communicate a vision.
Do you consider reasonable the compensation given to commission members? If not, should it be more or less — and why?
Commissioner compensation may or may not be reasonable. I plan to keep track of my personal hours as a forest preserve commissioner. I am sure that this service will include much more than attending Planning Sessions and Commission Meetings.
