Last week the Daily Herald reported that the Beautification and Improvement Committee of Carpentersville, which first started meeting in 2003, had been disbanded.
The Beautification and Improvement Committee of Carpentersville called it quits late last year after organization president Nancy Moore learned she was expecting a fourth child.
No news has been posted to the group’s web site since November 10, 2006, and no new meeting agendas have been posted since July 2007.
“Since I cannot continue as president, we decided to put it aside,” said Moore, a former village trustee. “If someone wants to resurrect it, then they could take it up or we can start it up in several years.”
It seems that there is now renewed interest in resurrecting it. A copy of an invitation to the next meeting of the “BICC” — this Wednesday, January 9th, 7pm — was forwarded to Carpentersville Action Network.
Village President Bill Sarto sent the original invitation which read, in part:
As a member of this valuable committee and the Village President, I would like to extend to all of you an invitation to attend this meeting to select a new President and to continue the good work that the committee has begun. Thank you for your past support and I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday evening.
On the committee’s web site, it is described (in part):
BICC is a community based grass roots organization founded primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the people of Carpentersville. BICC is a non-profit, incorporated, charitable entity that relies on its organization of volunteers and fundraising activities to effect civic improvements for the city of Carpentersville.
BICC mentions two things that may be encouraging to residents:
1. It is “independent of municipal government”. Translated, it is not an official committee of the Village of Carpentersville, but rather a “community-based” organization.
2. “BICC is involved solely with promoting public welfare and is not involved either directly or indirectly with participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.“
Refreshing.
Last fall, the group of volunteers landscaped the retaining wall at the southeast corner of Route 31 and Main Street, known as the Ivy Wall Project.
18 comments
Jan 8, 2008 at 6:00 am
Anonymous
“BICC mentions two things that may be encouraging to residents:”
“1. It is “independent of municipal government”. Translated, it is not an official committee of the Village of Carpentersville, but rather a “community-based” organization.”
“2. “BICC is involved solely with promoting public welfare and is not involved either directly or indirectly with participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.“
“Refreshing.”
YES, ISN’T IT! Now if CAN will stop, along with the Lord and Master of OTTO industries who attempted at great expense to thwart and interfer with OUR politics, then great progress shall be “attempted!”
Jan 8, 2008 at 7:00 am
Concerned C'villian
FACT: The article that appeared in the Daily Herald last week was written at the request of Bill Sarto. Although Larissa Chinwah gets credit for writing the article, she learned of this issue from a political figure with political intentions.
FACT: The Beautification & Improvement Committee of Carpentersville is a Not For Profit CORPORATION, registered as a 501 (c)(3) charitable entity.
FACT: Bill Sarto is not a member of the Board of Directors of The Beautification & Improvement Committee of Carpentersville, and has no power(s) to call meetings on behalf of the Corporation, much less act to replace its corporate officers
FACT: For being such an “active” member of this committee, corporate meeting minutes (posted on-line at http://www.biccarpentersville.org/news.php) document that last time Mr. Sarto attended a meeting was October 11, 2006.
So for such an active and altruistic member, why has he waited over 15 months to now get re-involved?
FACT: The BICC has in its stated mission that it is non-political and this same sentiment is documented repeatedly in its corporate minutes.
Again, why is Mr. Sarto, a political figure, getting involved so late in the game here?
If the work of this committee is so valuable to the Village, which I agree it is since they have done fine work, then why doesn’t President Sarto just make this a village committee, and then he can control it all he wants? He certainly won’t be able to legally replace the officers of this corporation, but he could re-incorporate it under a different name.
How long will it take the people of Carpentersville to wake-up and realize that Mr. Sarto is nothing but a political “animal” and his motivation with shenanigans like this are not altruistic? His motivations are to control a completely independent corporation for his own political gain. Whomever he “inserts” into this committee, whether that is legal or not, will be a telling event. If it is yet another of his political minions, e.g. – Reece, Kissane, Dobson, Doran, Haimann, et al – those action will speak much louder than words in proving the point that this is yet another veiled political maneuver on the part of our Honorable Village President.
Jan 8, 2008 at 10:13 am
Chrysippus
This seems very unfortunate that politics has to even crap all over this positive community organization.
Nancy Moore said in the Daily Herald article that she couldn’t continue as president. Then, gave the general invitation “if someone wants to resurrect it…”
Sounds to me like it was left open.
While checking this month’s Village calendar on the Village’s web site for when Board and Committee meetings were scheduled — at least a week before this announcement came out — I recalled seeing the Beautification Committee meeting listed. The Beautification Committee’s web site also lists Wednesday, January 9, as the next meeting date.
From that, it does not appear that President Sarto called the meeting. It seems that it was at least scheduled.
Further, Sarto’s invitation message said he was “a member”, and only that the meeting would include the selection of a new president. There seems to be no indication that Sarto would be “inserting” anyone.
According to meeting agenda’s and minutes, Dave Reece is the Vice President of the Board of Directors, along with Dave Campobello – Treasurer and Evelyn Fryer – Secretary.
As for “political minions”, digging a little deeper into the web site, there are some photos of Mr. Sarto, Mr. Reece and Ms. Kissane out working on the project. Were you out there, “Concerned C’villian”? The minutes show Sarto at every meeting until Oct 11th (how much was happening after that? Not to mention the atmosphere in the Village that seemed to need attention). The July 2007 meeting consisted only of Ms. Moore and Ms. Kissane. In addition to being active members, Sarto, Reece and Kissane are all listed as financial donors.
They seem to have a real interest in being involved in good things in the Village of Carpentersville. What’s up with other members of the Board?
This is precisely the kind of stuff I’ve been talking about.
“How long will it take the people of Carpentersville to wake-up and realize” that this is nothing but another smear attack on Sarto and another slap in the face to the community by those who want to demean any good thing that is happening the Village?
[Edited for clarity - 1:00pm]
Jan 8, 2008 at 10:19 am
Chrysippus
To add to that … this group has done some great work. It would be nice if political spite and games wouldn’t overshadow it, so the work to improve the community and its image would continue.
Jan 8, 2008 at 1:46 pm
JT
It is a sad that the comments had to go this way. Chrysippus is supportive of President Sarto to a fault. But I would agree with this. Will this be another Autumn Fest? Sarto helped alot on that and then got accused of “playing political football”. I drove by that wall everyday. I saw people working out there. I saw Sarto. I didn’t see other trustees. Did they show up at the last minute so people could see, like the parade?
Jan 8, 2008 at 2:44 pm
At a Glance
So, as I understand the comments of Concerned C’Villian, there is something wrong with members of the Board that are working to help the community, like Bill Sarto, who, it sounds like is spending his own money to do so…Kind of sounds like a good thing to me!!!
I wonder, should we want more people involved in helping the community or less? Seems like Concerned C’villian doesn’t like people that help, just those that complain or destroy!?!?
Jan 8, 2008 at 9:54 pm
James
Concerned C’Villian:
Fact #1 – I know for a fact (see it everyday) the papers get tons of people giving them ideas for stories all the time, and they CHOOSE to report what they deem newsworthy.
#2 – And?
#3 – As Village Pres, can’t one encourage people to attend an already scheduled meeting at which the organization’s president will be elected… if the Village Pres feels the organization is a worthwhile cause isn’t it actually their JOB to encourage participation?
#4 – It appears their last meeting was in 11/06, so having attended last in 10/06 doesn’t seem out of the ordinary – should he have scheduled a meeting for them, oh wait, you already have shown he doesn’t have that power…
#5 – It’s non-political, but is about the Village, so I would expect my elected officials to be involved in at least understanding the activities of the BICC. It seems like you call foul because it is a good thing in the eyes of potential voters… what, (certain) elected officials shouldn’t be allowed to do things to help the community because it might increase their popularity?
So…
- talking to the newspapers
- BICC is a non-profit
- Village Pres can’t call a BICC meeting
- Village Pres didn’t attend a meeting of the BICC for 15 months, 14 of which there were none(see above)
- BICC is for the good of C’ville, so only the elected officials you like should be allowed to be involved with them.
stunning facts. I’m floored…
Jan 9, 2008 at 8:34 am
Concerned C'villian
BICC should absolutely continue. We all agree on that fact. It has done good things in the village and those positive things need to continue.
The fact remains Bill Sarto made this a political football by contacting the paper. There are only two people who know the tone of the conversation between Larissa Chinwah and Bill Sarto. My guess is the conversation was not an altruistic, ‘please help me drum up support for this cause’ tone but was most likely riddled with politics. Until we hear from Ms. Chinwah or Mr. Sarto or both we will never know for certain.
As far as ‘crapping all over something positive’ I am not attempting to diminish the work of BICC. It’s a positive thing and as I said earlier we ALL want their work to continue. Certainly Mr. Reece was well aware of Ms. Moore’s intentions and had ample opportunity to step to the plate but didn’t. What I am definitely ‘crapping all over’ is Mr. Sarto’s intentions in contacting the Daily Herald.
This web sites sole purpose seems to be nothing but a love fest for Mr. Sarto and anything he does in any manner he does it. You can put all the lipstick you want on a pig, it’s still just a pig. Does the term Lemming mean anything to you people? If you continue to blindly follow the gospel of Sarto then you need only look as far as the closest mirror for an example of one.
BICC was created to be a non political entity. SARTO and no one else, is making it political. How can you not see that?
Jan 9, 2008 at 9:25 am
Chrysippus
BICC was created to be a non political entity.
There seems no reason to believe that it will not continue to be so, just as it has. Are we to believe that Sarto’s involvement with the group will make it into a political entity? His past involvement doesn’t seem to indicate that.
BICC should absolutely continue. We all agree on that fact. It has done good things in the village and those positive things need to continue.
Then lets let “those positive things” continue. At this point, it seems the only “political motives” around this have been in comments by you and “Anonymous”.
It sounds like this news getting published in the paper has helped to ensure that this organization and its positive impact on the community will continue. Why is that not good news? How can — or why would — anyone impugn those motives?
Jan 9, 2008 at 11:48 am
At a Glance
Hey, Concerned C’villian, I looked in the mirror and even without the lipstick, had no problem with what I saw.
I do think the name you use is really representing “Concerned” that Sarto gets any credit even when he is not trying. I ask, is it good for Carpentersville? And you have said it is, then any support for the program is good, even if it comes from Sarto. The question is why have you not contacted the paper as a Concerned C’villian to attempt to create support for the BICC if you thought it was doing good. You have the right to do so, also. But maybe coming from Bill Sarto, it had more weight????
Let’s hope others in the community offer their help and maybe Carpentersville will be a better place to live!
Jan 9, 2008 at 12:14 pm
JJ
In reading all the back & forth I’m a little confused. If Sarto called the papers, then why wasn’t he quoted? It seems like those on this committee had some respect for the BICC President as they didn’t try to take the group over until she was ready to let go. Since the decision to “let go” was made, one of the remaining committee members has stepped up to keep this positive initiative alive (they really have done some great work). I think that’s great news for this Village. Perhaps this will spark more people to step up and volunteer. If they do though, my hope is that others aren’t going to vilify those that want to help out. There’s certainly plenty of help needed not to mention we that live in a Democracy not Oligarchy afterall.
Jan 10, 2008 at 1:27 am
Bill Sarto
An update on the BICC meeting tonight. There were no new officers elected tonight. This was an opportunity to get some of the people together who had been involved in the BICC in the past and get a feel for what direction the members would like to see the organization go in.
It seems likely that a new committee with a new name will emerge from this initial meeting. After speaking with the former Secretary and Treasurer of the BICC it seems that right now forming a new group would be the best way to proceed.
I would like to invite ALL to our next meeting on February 13th at Village Hall at 7:00 P.M. to get this very worthwhile committee up and running again. Much work still remains and there is plenty for everyone to do. Since there is currently an “Improvement Committee” in Carpentersville a new name would be best for this new committee. Between now and February 13th there will be an effort to encourage some new members to join and then at the February meeting it is possible that new officers will be elected to begin to plan for new projects to work on in the upcoming months. This is an excellent time to do some recruitment, planning and some fundraising for the next work season that will be coming up in the spring.
I’m very excited by the interest shown tonight and am confident that we will be ready to go in next few months.
If you are a person who is willing to do a little work to help spruce up the look of our Village you are who we are looking for. Some very good ideas were shared tonight. Let’s make 2008 a year to remember in Carpentersville.
Jan 10, 2008 at 7:09 am
Concerned C'villian
Hmmm? Looks like I wasn’t the only one that was thinking this being made into a political football by Mr. Sarto: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=110234&src=22
Again, everyone agrees BICC has and hopefully will continue to do wonderful things to improve the image of our village. The point of all of my posts is an attempt to pull the wool back up from peoples eyes to get them to realize Mr. Sarto is not the saintly figure everyone is making him out to be.
I will admit I may have been too harsh on Mr. Reece. However due to his clear political connections with Sarto demonstrated by prior political shenanigans they were responsible for in the last election stealing signs, it is difficult not to question Mr. Reece’s motivations.
In response to “JJ” I found your last statement intriguing. Actually I would disagree with you on your democracy versus oligarchy statement. I do feel we live in cross between and oligarchy and a kleptocracy. Let’s call it a Sartocracy, where we only have the illusion of democracy and things only get done in the village if it is Sarto’s way, and it done through the advancement of his own political cronies. Ironic that he even had a street sign in his office in Village Hall that says “Sarto Way”.
Jan 10, 2008 at 7:49 am
Chrysippus
Actually, it seems like you are trying to “pull the wool back [over] people’s eyes”. In another attempt to smear Sarto for again working on something that is good for the Village of Carpentersville.
It seems unfortunate that Ms. Moore appears to be playing the same kind of “politics” that you, “Concerned C’villian”, are playing.
In the article, Sarto and Reece are talking about the good things that have been done and that they hope will continue to happen in the Village. But, in contrast, Moore talks about negatives and politics.
Let me side track a little bit to address some of your other comments that really have nothing to do with the BICC or attempts to bring it back to life …
The charge about “kleptocracy” is actually quite interesting … and I’d tend to agree. Although, this blog is filled with examples of those really at the center of the Trouble with Carpentersville. It’s humorous that you are kind of using the “It wasn’t me, he did it!” defense of the variety used on the playground.
After all, we’ve seen for months the things that Sigwalt and Co. have been doing to stomp on Sarto and maintain control of the reigns of Carpentersville — like holding improper meetings and allowing comments that were not about Village business, and delayed the ability to address real Village business.
At a recent Board meeting, Trustee Teeter read a letter from Ms. Moore that was critical of Sarto for not planning to make Trustee Sigwalt a member of the group that will determine the direction of the future Community Improvement Committee. Her statements seemed very “political”. Does she also support the politically motivated meetings that Sigwalt and Co were having with the Fox Valley Citizens?
It’s really too bad to see all the good work that Ms. Moore did for the Village now being tarnished by an objection to people wanting to continue to do good things in the Village.
Jan 10, 2008 at 9:53 am
At a Glance
Maybe its just me, but I’d be critical of Sarto if he wasn’t trying to help keep good things happening in Carpentersville. Here is a guy that puts time and money into the community and Concerned C’villian attacks him because he tries to help. …Just doesn’t make sense to me. Maybe “Concerned” thinks there are only certain people that can be designated to do good things. Maybe the name should be “Constraining C’Villian”
I wonder why others have not been involved? I wonder why there are attacks on those that are involved. In all of this, I have not heard about any other Trustees working on BICC. Hmmm, kind of keeps you from wanting to get involved in anything that might help make Carpentersville better. Or, maybe it time we throw out the people that keep trying to hold the Village back.
Jan 10, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Grant Crowell
Bill, I’m going to ask you a fair question, which I hope the anonymous blogger will post this time and not feel he has to protect you from by shielding this question from you. (The last time I attempted this it was not allowed by his ‘moderation.’)
You mentioned recently on this blog site that you don’t consider modernizing the Carpentersville Web site as any priority. Yet you appear to have made it your priority to continually post to this web site here.
So the question is, why can’t you show the same efforts in the place you are supposed to be working for? Don’t you think it would be appropriate for you to post your own news updates and comments to the Village government website? Don’t you think you, as Carpentersville’s elected President, have an obligation to provide the same resources for the residents and public that you continue to enjoy here on a regular basis.
Also, please explain your motives for calling up Comcast Cable to instruct them to immediately television taping of one of the Village’s Board Meetings. (I am referring to the last December board meeting, where you had them bump up the viewing time to 10-days earlier than its scheduled showing, as a one-time deal.) It would seem that your intentions were to simply humiliate your opposition and gain political favor, rather than serve of any benefit to the taxpaying public.
I am still doubtful that I will receive an honest answer from you, since I haven’t received one yet after I helped get you elected. But the opportunity is again yours.
Jan 11, 2008 at 7:33 am
Chrysippus
Grant,
The “last time you attempted this” it did not have anything to do with the topic either — which is why that post wasn’t allowed. It had nothing to do with “protection” of Mr. Sarto. Rather, it was to maintain some focus on the topic of article — which I hope readers can and do appreciate.
I have posted this one in order to respond in regard to my motives.
I will also allow Mr. Sarto’s answer to those items you raise. However, if you wish to carry on a further conversation about this particular matter, I suggest you do so via email.
Jan 11, 2008 at 8:29 am
Bill Sarto
Grant,
I have no reason to not answer any questions that are sincere. I have always tried to answer your questions. I will answer your last question first. The reason I had asked that the December 4th meeting be aired that next Friday was because Comcast had caught up on the airing of our meetings and the previous meeting had been run twice already and I didn’t want it to run for a third consecutive week. We are in a similar situation right now. Andy, who records our meetings was not able to get the last meeting to Comcast in time for last Friday, so nothing aired for our meeting time slot last Friday. This has nothing to do with political advantage or any political motives. It has to do with trying to keep the public informed in a timely fashion.
Now, I will address your first question. I post on this site because I believe that some of the content is more appropriate for this type of site rather than our Village site. Some does have to do with discussion of political matters and that is not an appropriate topic for our Village site. To be even more forth coming I believe this site is read by more people than our Village website. I do know that the media reads this site on a regular basis. I know that because reporters call me about things that have only been raised on this site. Therefore, I believe that this site offers me and others a better opportunity to directly communicate on the issues of the day.
I hope that answers your questions. If you have further questions on this subject I would agree that they should be done with personal email per the moderators request.