Tuesday Night Fights

Followed hot on the heels of my report of the last meeting comes a quick-takes blog on “Tuesday Night Fight Club”.

Here’s a plan … replace public comments with a pillow fight. Put the metal detector in place so no heavy objects can be brought in, give everyone a pillow when they come in and go at it for 5 minutes.

Of note at the meeting was mention of a large group, consisting of whom appeared to be members of Fox Valley Citizens, met this past Friday night at a residence in Lake Marian on Skyline Drive. Reports are that Trustees Sigwalt, Humpfer and Hinz were there.

Was this a change of venue for the same old meetings that were held on each Friday before a Board meeting for over a year?

Anyway, this issue was raised during public comments by Paul Calusinski, who talked about being out doing DUI patrol on Friday and happening upon the group.

Then, once again, Gloria VanCleave came to the podium to respond to Calusinski, raising claims that he was “stalking” her and attempting to discredit him. President Sarto asked her to sit down … and things got a bit interesting …

Trustee Humpfer attempted to “appeal the ruling of the President” but was informed that he had a conflict of interest. Trustee Sigwalt then attempted to do the same, and was informed likewise. Trustee Teeter was next in line. President Sarto said that he had information that placed her at at least one meeting as well, so may have a conflict. So, finally, Ritter said “well then I’ll appeal the ruling”.

Guess we see now there is no interest in distancing themselves from Sigwalt and Co.

Ms. VanCleave was allowed to continue, but was told to sit down when she continued on the same vein.

Now, as for things related to Village business …

Residents who cannot fit the large garbage toters into garages or get them to their back yards (such as those in the Morningside and Berkshire neighborhoods which would otherwise have to drag them through their home), will be allowed to store them in the front of their residence, provided they install a screen of some sort to hide them from plain sight. Residents will have until the springtime to comply. Read more about that at The Courier-News or the Daily Herald.

And, could Carpentersville become a Tree City USA town? A representative from Kimball Farms talked about it, and suggested the Village look into becoming one. In order to qualify, four criteria must be met [Source: Wikipedia] …

• It must establish a Tree Board or Department run by a professional forester or arborist, an entire forestry department, or a volunteer tree board must be legally responsible for the care and management of the community’s trees.

• It must pass a Tree Care Ordinance that designates the establishment of a tree board or forestry department and give this body the responsibility for writing and implementing an annual community forestry work plan. Beyond that, the ordinance should be flexible enough to fit the needs and circumstances of the particular community. A tree ordinance provides an opportunity to set good policy and back it with the force of law when necessary. Ideally, it will provide clear guidance for planting, maintaining and removing trees from streets, parks and other public places.

• It must establish a community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita with evidence that the community has established a community forestry program that is supported by that annual budget.

• It must organize an Arbor Day observance and proclamation with a simple tree planting event or an award ceremony that honors leading tree planters.

With the efforts of Parks Committee and the (resident-run, donation-funded) Beautification Committee already having done work in this area, it might be attainable. However, one significant question is whether the budget will support it? More details obviously need to be worked out. But it would be kinda nice to put that little feather in our community’s cap.

Yes, with the writer’s strike in Hollywood, Tuesday night Board meetings really are the best ticket in town.