THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2008

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Third Ward Open House Sees Nice Turnout

Prospect Heights Ald. Dolly Vole (3d) held an open house for her ward last Wednesday and it received quite a good showing.

Vole said the open house was meant for people to have casual discussions with her about city issues and let her know how she's doing as their city representative.

"I think open government and communication is very important," Vole said. "I had told my ward that as part of my promise to them, I would have open communication."

Such meetings haven't been common in Prospect Heights but Vole said she received a pretty good turnout, especially considering it was storming that day. Among the visitors were 4th Ward Ald. Jim Armbruster and City Treasurer Rich Tibbits.

Vole said casual meetings like her's are important because they give people a better chance to voice their opinion.

"The council meetings are not very open," she said. "A lot of these people don't want to stand up in front of the whole council."

As usual in Prospect Heights, Vole said the most popular topic of conversation was lake water. Residents had an opportunity to look at a variety of documents the city has worked on in the past few months.

She plans on having another open house in the fall and hopes other aldermen hold meetings.