THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008
Few Still Lacking In Communication Dept.
Off The Record, By TODD WESSELL
Three times in the last three and a half decades have we engaged in the exercise of rating city officials on their response and availability to us and the public. It's our strong belief that all top city officials should return phone calls and be willing to discuss matters of important civic interest whenever the matter arises. Generally speaking, we're happy to report that nearly every city official over that time span adheres to that that premise. They realize that communicating with the public is important to the citizens who pay the freight. Most of these officials are also intelligent enough to know a well-informed citizenry is actually helpful to them and can be used to govern better and improve the conditions of everyone.
Sadly, however, not quite everyone agrees.
Over the years, a few city employees have expressed the belief that secretiveness is the best policy, not necessarily for the community but for themselves. They subscribe to the basic idea that the less people know the more freedom they have to run city government unhindered. It's a position that maintains that ignorance is bliss. It helps maintain control. It also keeps the number of phone calls to a minimum.
In the last year or so, we've noticed a disturbing pattern of behavior on the part of some city officials. Simply put, they fail at proper communication with the people they are suppose to serve. It's not a case of being busy. It's a case of being uncooperative. It's also not a case of being angry with the local press, in particular this reporter.
It's a case of poor conduct and unprofessionalism by refusing to properly communicate with residents and a few nagging, bothersome aldermen.
We've tried to understand this kind of conduct and frankly we don't. The citizens of Des Plaines should not permit the people hired to serve them to dictate whom, when or whether they are available.
Based on 35 years of observing six mayors, scores of aldermen and department heads and thousands of city employees, here's our assessment of who in the city's top echelon of workers is "great" "so-so" or "awful" when it comes to communicating with us and the public.
We've engaged in this practice before resulting in what believe improvement. We hope history repeats itself.
In the category of communication "greatness" are: Mayor Tony Arredia, the city's eight aldermen, City Engineer Tim Oakley, Police Chief Jim Prandini, Fire Chief Randy Jaeger, City Clerk Donna McAllister, City Attorney Dave Wiltse, and Public Works Director Matt Dusckett.
In the "so-so" column is Tim Angell, the city's deputy director of Community and Economic Development. While he is very good at returning calls, Angell usually responds with terse, shallow answers. With Angell on that list is new Acting Finance Director Dorothy Wisniewski.
In the "awful" category sits our new City Manager Jason Bajor and fairly new Community Development Director Mike Conlan. Remarkably, Bajor has told city officials that his practice is not to return calls when he does not want to. Residents have complained to us about his uncooperative attitude with them. One person told us that they believe Bajor is determined to control city government on his terms and if that means picking and choosing who he talks to, so be it.
As for Conlan, for most of the last year he seemed ready and willing to communicate and cooperate. In recent months, things have changed. We haven't talked to him for some time. It's not for lack of trying. After all, he's the top city official who deals with the important matters of redevelopment, building and zoning---issues that strongly affect each and every Des Plainesite.
So, the pattern of local government and the way officials relate to the people they serve continues. For the most part, Des Plaines' public servants are responsive and willing to cooperate. There remain a few less than satisfactory examples of how not to cooperate. We hope Des Plaines residents won't allow this to continue.
Let us know how you feel. Send your comments to Speak Out at 847-299-1500, email us at journalnews@mail.com, or send a letter to 622 Graceland Avenue, Des Plaines, Ill., 60016.
And if you call, we'll get back to you.
Promise.