Story posted Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Mayor Addresses Issues At First Town Hall Meeting
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal & Topics Reporter
About 25 to 30 residents showed up at Prospect Hts. City Hall Monday evening for the first of a scheduled series of Town Hall meetings.
Mayor Dolly Vole called for the meetings during her recent election campaign as a way for officials and residents to informally discuss city affairs.
With plenty of seats open Monday at City Hall, Vole said she was a bit disappointed with the turnout, but hopes it will grow in coming months.
"I would like to see more but I'm glad some did come," she said. "It's a start."
Those on hand discussed a multitude of city issues, including finances, grants, streets and home rule.
The meeting began with a short presentation by Vole on the state of the city.
Other city officials on hand included City Treasurer Rich Tibbits and aldermen Gerald Anderson and Amy Dalessandro.
Vole started by saying that she hopes meetings like this help get residents involved. In the past, most residents have only become adamant about an issue when it concerns them, then disappear when it doesn't.
She reviewed the struggling state of city finances due to reduced revenue and also went over some of the city's upcoming events like Summerfest, 4th of July and Nature-Palooza.
Vole said one of her most commonly asked questions is about receiving federal stimulus money. She explained that the city has tried but has been denied for five grants so far, usually because of the smaller scale of the projects.
A new public works facility, Special Service Area 5 shore stabilization, a water plan and road program are among the denied proposals.
She did say that the city is still waiting to hear on a police retention grant, which could help pay the salaries and benefits of at least two officers for up to three years.
The police department has been more successful at receiving grants, as it has been awarded eight of the ten applied for. Although some are small, the money has helped pay for important items such as a new vehicle, a digital camera, bulletproof vests, victim advocate personnel and anti-gang programs.
But of course finances are always the biggest issue in Prospect Hts. and residents had several opinions on how to solve generating revenue.
The basic facts are that city revenue is well below average due to the economy and more cuts will be needed if there is no solution. That also puts projects such as road repairs and flood prevention on the back burner.
A debate ensued about home rule status, as some said it is the only way for the city to get the money needed. Vole has been against home rule and said it shouldn't be brought back to vote because residents have already rejected it several times.
Home rule gives communities authority to make decisions on their own without going through the state first.
Others said it's up to the government to take control and do what's best for the city as residents will never vote to impose a tax on themselves.
Projects like the proposed Meijer retail store in Prospect Crossing Shopping Center could lead to increased revenue but Vole said they have not heard of any progress from the landlord in recent weeks.
Former Ald. Jim Armbruster said residents need to show more interest than they have shown in the past.
"I'm extremely disappointed with the showing tonight," he said. "It shows lack of interest. Residents just want services and don't want to pay for it."
Vole hopes to have another Town Hall meeting in August and urged residents to talk to their neighbors and push them to attend.
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