"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
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You're invited to participate in our meetings
held on the second Saturday of each month
at 9 AM in the large conference room, second floor,
Downers Grove Public Library on Curtiss.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." |
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Snow piles blocking sidewalks and parkways along Ogden Avenue:
Some businesses cleared their sidewalks:
All 3 photos dated Feb. 17, 2010.
On November 7, 2008, the discharged Village Manager filed a lawsuit claiming she was fired for political purposes and is owed a year's salary. The Village claims her release was for poor job performance. The trial, at this time, is scheduled for Monday January 11, 2010.
As of Friday, January 8, 2010 the case of Pavlicek vs. Village was dismissed when both parties agreed to the dismissal.
Featured Speaker: Tony Peraica, Attorney, Cook County Commissioner. Author of the "Reform Cook County" blog.
Downers Grove Village Commissioner candidate Jim Norris, introduced Commissioner Tony Peraica to the residents of Downers Grove. After a warm greeting by the audience, Commissioner Peraica proceed to share his views on the following subjects:
The Downers Grove Watch thanks Commissioner Peraica and all the Downers Grove citizens who attended and asked questions at this meaningful meeting.
At the Suggestion of Mayor Sandack, at the Council meeting December 16th, 2008, the Watch Committee submitted 21 reports of Snow issues to the CRC (Consumer Response Center of the Village of Downers Grove) regarding blocked sidewalks, and parkways where sidewalks have not been installed boarding busy Ogden Avenue.
In January of 2009, a Watch Committee documented businesses with large blockages
of sidewalks and parkways along Ogden Avenue.
The left photo below shows snow piled up on a sidewalk,
and the right photo shows the same location
with the sidewalk cleared after this was reported to the CRC.
Some businesses like Jewel/Osco, 1148 Ogden Avenue and Sears Hardware,
925 Ogden Avenue (pictures below), shoveled their sidewalks and did not
place their driveway/parking lot snow on sidewalks
or parkway blocking pedestrian movement along Ogden Avenue.
The Watch Committee is working with Village Commissioners and Staff
to improve this situation addressing this Ordinance for the 2009/2010 Snow Season.
The DOWNERS GROVE WATCH is seeking public support in
keeping snow plow services from depositing snow on
sidewalks.
For many years snow plow services hired by businesses for
clearing their parking lots have been depositing snow on
sidewalks.
This has been especially notable in Ogden Avenue business areas
which renders sidewalks impassable to pedestrians, forcing people
to walk on roadways along with vehicular traffic.
This is a safety issue which the Village has allowed to
persist without taking any action for stopping the practice.
[ See photo at left:
Snow plowing of Ogden Avenue Restaurant parking lot
deposited snow on sidewalk. ]
The Village has long had Ordinance 19.21.1 which makes this practice illegal, but, depositing snow on sidewalks continues unabated. Will someone have to get injured or killed before the practice is stopped? Why does the Village keep spending tax dollars for building sidewalks if assuring their use is so totally disregarded?
On August 9, 2008 the Downers Grove Watch presented a letter to the Village Council which requested the Village create an ordinance for the licensing of snow removal businesses in time for the coming 2008-09 winter.
The licensing ordinance is not intended to be a revenue generator for the village: we suggest a minimum token fee of about $5.00 or whatever it costs to process a license application. It is intended to have snow removal operators come to the village hall for a license at which time they will be given copies of Ordinance 19.21.1 and the snow removal licensing ordinance. The purpose of licensing is to make snow removal operators aware that they should keep sidewalks clear, and, the consequences for not doing so because the licensing ordinance should set forth a schedule of fines for both those who deposit snow on sidewalks as well as those commercial establishments who hire them for clearing their parking lot.
The licensing ordinance also gives police the authority to ticket those responsible for snow deposited on a sidewalk and sets the fine for same; fines which should escalate in value with the number of occurrences in a season.
Acting Village Manager Dave Fieldman was asked on September 2, 2008 if anything is being done to effect this ordinance and he said he has received no instructions on this matter from the Council. We can’t believe the Council is being cavalier on this important issue of safety. Just because the practice has allowed to exist for so long doesn’t mean it is right.
This issue is not a complicated matter and should be resolved quickly by the village attorney if the Council requests action be taken. Realistically, it will take some time to prepare and act on a new ordinance. There is probably just enough time to effect the ordinance and inform snow removal operators and commercial establishments who hire them of the ordinance before the next snow flies.
The DOWNERS GROVE WATCH is asking residents to call Mayor Sandack at village hall, phone number 1-630-434-5500, and request action on this ordinance. Residents can also email their request to members of the Village Council. Click here for their email addresses.
If enough residents contact the Village Council and request an ordinance licensing snow removal businesses the council would be hard pressed not to direct village staff to prepare the ordinance requested by the Downers Grove Watch.
This message has been authorized by the Downers Grove Watch Board of Directors. Questions should be directed to the undersigned.
Andrew J. Clark - Ph: 630-968-9502
August 9, 2008
Downers Grove Village Council
801 Burlington Avenue
Downers Grove, IL 60515
The Downers Grove Watch requests the Village Council create an ordinance requiring snow removal businesses to be licensed by the Village. Citizens have experienced numerous unsafe situations where snow has been deposited on sidewalks rendering then unusable and pedestrians are forced to walk on roadways along with vehicular traffic.
The act of becoming licensed must ensure snow removal operators be aware of Ordinance 19.21.1 which reads as follows:
19.21.1. Depositing of snow on streets and sidewalks prohibited.
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than authorized Village personnel to:
a. Plow or otherwise remove snow or ice from private property and deposit the same on any Village street, sidewalk or right-of-way in such manner as to decrease the drivable width of any such street, impede the normal routing of pedestrian traffic, or significantly hamper Village snow removal efforts.
b. Plow or otherwise remove snow or ice from private property in such a way as to block the vision of motorists at any intersection, prevent parking at the curb or cover fire hydrants.
(Ord. No. 2361, Para. 1.)
Furthermore, the ordinance should contain a schedule of fines for violations applicable to those moving snow and to those who contract to have snow removed.
This is a significant safety issue which has been a problem for many years and the Council should give it immediate attention before the coming winter.
Respectfully,
William Whowell - Chairman
DOWNERS GROVE WATCH
POST OFFICE BOX 596
DOWNERS GROVE,
IL 60516
Mr. David Fieldman
Acting Village Manager
Village of Downers Grove
801 Burlington Avenue
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
Dear Mr. Fieldman:
As a member of the Downers Grove Watch I am responding to your letter of May 22, 2008 to the Downers Grove Watch and have several comments.
What is the difference between a Code Enforcement Officer and a Building Inspector? According to information provided by you they both have the identical job requirements. I don’t believe being a police officer or working for Public Works provides exceptional experience for the duties. The requirements list the ability to obtain certification, are they ALL certified? What agency provides the certification? Do all the certifications require a test?
What is and what are the duties and requirements of a Zoning Officer? Are these paid village staff positions?
I have been a Licensed Architect for more than 55 years and take exception to the statement that the handrails at Fire Station 3 met the existing building code when the building was constructed. The 1955 National Building Code, the oldest I have, requires handrails on both sides of all stairs equal to or more than 44 inches in width and one (1) on stairs less than 44 inches. I am sure this code predates the station construction.
On the Community Bank stairs BOCA Code requires two (2) handrails on stairs with more than two (2) risers and if wider than 60 inches an intermediate railing is required.
I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Frank Falesch
cc: Village Council Members
WORD format form that you can fill out on your computer
If you are undecided over the "CHAPTER" number, leave it blank.
You can access the complete
Village of Downers Grove Municipal Code at:
http://www.downers.us/code .
For item 3 on the form please enter any NAME, BUSINESS, ADDRESS or PHONE displayed at the location of the violation.
For item 4 on the form please let us know if you have reported this violation by letter.
Violations can be reported to the village by phone at 630 434-2255
or by filling out the village Community Response Center (CRC) form accessible at
http://www.downers.us/page/view/58 .
If you reported this violation to the village please enter the "Case Number" if the village has provided one.
Mail the form in to PO BOX 596, Downers Grove, IL 60515.
Questions? Call Downers Grove Watch Director Richard Rekash at 630 241-1161.
We invite you to join the Downers Grove Watch.
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