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About 4 1/2 years ago, people all across the United States were able to add their phone numbers to the Federal Do Not Call List. This prevented telemarketers from calling you at home unless they represented a company with whom you had done business. Exceptions were made for charitable organizations, surveys and political calls. Since it went into effect in 2003, over 145 million numbers have been entered into the registry – 6.5 million in Illinois as of Sept 30.
“So what?”, you may say.
Well, because many readers have probably registered on the do-no-call list, I thought it might be good to let people know some things that are now being considered about it (and what is not). (If you haven’t registered and want to stop telemarketer calls — with the exceptions noted above — you can go t0 the FTC website for the Do-Not-Call list registration information.)
When the list was created in 2003, it was to expire in June 2008. That would mean that consumers would have to re-register their numbers every 5 years to keep numbers out of the hands of telemarketers.
There are some things you should know that are happening with the do-not-call list right now.
First, the FTC was considering purging all numbers from its list in June 2008, causing all who are on the list to have to re-register, regardless of when they previously registered their number. However, information released today states that the FTC will not be dropping any numbers from the list at the 5-year expiration period.
Legislation has been introduced in Congress to make the list permanent. The final decision regarding the Registry is pending this legislation.
Changes have been made since 2003 that cause disconnected and reassigned numbers to be removed from the database on a monthly basis. This allows the Registry to balance accuracy with consumer privacy concerns, making it possible to do away with the 5-year expiration period.
And, finally, there has been a myth circulating for awhile — primarily via email — that telemarketing companies would begin calling cell phones. The do-not-call list does accept cell phone numbers into the registry for those wanting the added security and privacy. However, the FCC has made it illegal to use automated dialers to call cell phones; which is the way most telemarketing companies operate.
You can register online at WWW.DONOTCALL.GOV or call toll-free, 1-888-382-1222 (TTY 1-866-290-4236), from the number you wish to register. Registration is free.
Trustee Sigwalt is at it again, continuing to publicly throw negative jabs at President Sarto. This time it is simply because he would like the Board to have more information from lawyers for the Village’s insurance carrier about ordinances presently being considered for passage in the Village, particularly in the wake of a $30 million lawsuit recently filed against the Village.
“I don’t believe we have to consult with IRMA” over the impounding proposal, Trustee Judith Sigwalt said. “Other communities have done this successfully. President Sarto just likes to make everything difficult. He tries to make more out of them than they are.”
Apparently, she already knows it all.
Or does she? Folks may recall a few months ago when the Village was considering an English-only ordinance. Sigwalt, and political ally Trustee Paul Humpfer, did not take the time to determine what kind of difficulties such an ordinance would place on staff’s ability to do their jobs and comply with state and federal regulations. Only after heads of the major Village departments stepped up to provide information that would have otherwise not been considered did Sigwalt and Humpfer relent to accepting a non-binding resolution.
In this case, some “other communities” have gotten sued when attempting to expand the situations in which vehicles would be towed. In light of that, meeting with IRMA lawyers seems like a very good idea.
“It’s prudent for us to hold off on this until we at least talk to our attorneys on what we should or should not do at this point,” Sarto said. “To stir that pot anymore would be foolish.”
Trustee Sigwalt, along with the rest of the Board, needs to take more time to gather information — like they do in other, more professional, municipalities — and ensure that that information is shared with the Board and residents to enable better, more informed decisions. It is also rushing into things without all the information and available alternatives that has put the Village at risk in the lawsuit.
On a related note, there are those who have taken issue with my criticism of Trustee Sigwalt (and Trustee Humpfer). In response, I asked them to defend the actions of these two trustees in those situations of which I’ve been critical, and provide examples of the positive effects those actions had on the community. To date, no defense or examples have been provided.
In the end, I believe the actions of Trustee Sigwalt over the past 8 years necessitates this information be pointed out to residents in order that the Village can rise above the problems that have resulted. These actions and negativity have actually held the Village back in periods when other, smaller towns have worked successfully to prosper.
Blogger.com has one of the better definitions I’ve seen about what a blog is:
A personal diary. A daily pulpit. A collaborative space. A political soapbox. A breaking-news outlet. A collection of links. Your own private thoughts. Memos to the world.
At times, Carpentersville Action Network will be one or more of these. Most often, it will be “a daily pulpit” or “political soapbox” or “memos to the world”. But, most of you already know that of this site. Still, I thought it needed to be said for clarification.
For the most part, Carpentersville Action Network will be editorial in nature. It has been, and will be, my view of the world — particularly on politics and government of Carpentersville, and at times the surrounding area.
Yet, because a blog most often represents more informal, off-the-cuff remarks as opposed to an extensive treatise or dissertation on the subject, readers are encouraged to provide information in the comments (or comboxes) that may not have been considered in the original posting. It’s that to which I refer in yesterday’s “Back to Reality” posting.
Since starting this blog, I have tried to make it a point to provide facts, links or other information to back up the opinions and statements that I make. I feel it is important to do so to provide readers the reasons why I hold the opinion or position I do about an issue, the position another person has taken on an issue, or someone’s actions or statements.
Some have taken issue with the fact that I have provided information labeled “negative” and felt that I was “bashing” some trustees. Those folks are certainly entitled to their opinion. I do feel, though, that the information and facts contained in those entries are important for people to know, so occasionally posts of a similar nature will be presented; I’m confident that those postings speak for themselves against the charges.
So, that’s a bit more insight into the philosophy and direction of this blog.
Thought I’d share some stats with you as well. This is the end of the second full month of being at WordPress.com. Traffic increased about 75% over last month, with nearly 7,000 views. Many more people have found this blog since the lawsuit was filed, with daily traffic going from about 200-250 views per day up to around 500 views a day (which has remained consistent). In fact, one week’s worth of traffic two weeks ago was around 1,000; traffic this week was more than 3,000. Since starting the blog, there have been a bit more than 500 total comments posted by about two dozen or so different people, on nearly 125 post. So, many more people are reading than are writing.
I’d also encourage those of you who have longer postings, particularly on relevant topics that are unrelated to current posts, to email them to me for inclusion in as a main posting as a guest blogger.
A lot of opinions have been shared here over the past few weeks, and I’m appreciative of even those from outside the Village of Carpentersville who have contributed. But, one of the things that I wanted to have this blog be from the outset was an exchange of facts and information.
I, myself, have gotten caught up in just the regular back and forth banter that sharing opinions can invite.
I think we can do better, however.
I’d really like to see this be a vehicle of information that Village staff, residents and Board can use to help them make better decisions — to break the cycle that has been too long a staple of Carpentersville politics and government.
This blog has taken the time to show that those on the Board who are often making the loudest calls for “civility” or “respect” and whatnot, are actually some of the worst offenders. I think we’re all on a level playing field now. Hopefully everyone will step off their pedestals (except me, of course! 🙂 ) and come back down to listen to the fact and information that citizens can provide.
So, can we stop the chit-chat and work together to help our Village government with a plan that can be workable for the entire community?
Carpentersville Action Network 
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