Mr. Mayor and Council Members

As a Downers Grove resident for over sixty years and a widow of Elon "Tiny" Wolf, whose grandfather was Christian Staats, founder of the old Reporter newspaper, I cannot sit still and watch what is happening to Downers Grove.

I have discussed stormwater and flooding problems, as well as the severity of the plundering of all old trees, Banchory Woods, Gilbert and Curtiss Avenue, Belmont Avenue, and now Green Acres, to name a few.  I’m the little old lady who suggested a name change to Downers Plain.

Recently, I read an article about Evanston.  It was called, "Nowhere to go, but UP." This was about the time we saw the Curtiss Square presentation.  In order to accomplish this, we must make irresponsible changes in the zoning ordinances.  Ordinances changes which would allow higher density and variances in lot sizes, heights, and shapes.  While in some instances, these may not necessarily cause a problem, they were created with no thought for the visual environment.  They were planned by an urban planner or developer, who will even help you find anchor stores.

What should have been done a long time ago was to hire an urban designer and develop a real plan for future development; one that shows what the town might look like in twenty years.

We have lawyers on the village council and a few others on council who ask for advice on their own homes, because they are not even close to being an architect, like Daniel Burnham.  Remember, this same group has struggled with signs for a few years.

How many mature trees have been cut down in Denburn Woods?

Some time ago, I attended a stormwater meeting in regard to Saint Joseph’s Creek.  Stormwater Committee Chairman Mr. Eckman, who lives in Denburn Woods, explained that wealthy people from Chicago were moving here and they wanted the country look, with the creek and birds and trees.

It appears development decisions are being made based upon the community it impacts and who lives there.

Mrs. Edveta Wolf;  Downers Grove, IL

At the Downers Grove Village Workshop meeting last week I was confused by the subject of discussion by the Village Council.  The agenda items are not clearly introduced by the Village Manager, and the Council members and staff do not speak clearly into the microphones.  I asked the location of what was being discussed and I was called out of order by the Mayor.  He did not even give me the courtesy of a response.  The abstract nature of the agenda items being considered by the Village Council, due to the method in which they are introduced, is not in keeping with the open communication our Mayor campaigned to improve.  Nor, is it the transparency which our citizens require from this government in order to understand the nature of the Village business which is spending our tax dollars so freely.  Perhaps our Village government is due for a change in representation.  Interested residents are urged to seriously consider running for Village Council in the April 2005 election.  We need honest residents representing us, rather than lawyers and businessmen with a political agenda.

Click here to re-display the home page.