Improper use of River Forest funds

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 10:00 PM

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We were part of the 125th Anniversary committee, and recently read that the monies we raised were going to be used to fund a surveying project in River Forest. We object. We do not want to see the money we raised directed toward a surveying project.

When we joined the committee in 2006, it became apparent that the decision had already been made to restore the Cummings Memorial. The committee had no meaningful vote in this decision. Subsequent to the decision to restore the Cummings Memorial, the committee heard what the costs were going to be to repair it. The significant costs, as well as the need to partner with the Cook County Forest Preserve, on whose land the memorial is located, made the project unrealistic, but we proceeded, hoping the village would be able to both negotiate with the Forest Preserve District and fund the rest of the restoration costs. This happened before the economy suffered and we now know that was a pipe dream.

In the years following the celebration, we have been in touch with each other and the River Forest village board to find out how the money should be spent. In fact we were concerned that many River Forest citizens had donated their money in good faith and it was sitting in a local bank unused. We felt this was a breach of trust given to us from those who made donations. We had hoped that the money could be invested — if not for the Cummings Memorial restoration, then for something all River Foresters could enjoy and which would appropriately commemorate the 125th celebration of the village's incorporation.

We do not agree that the donations of approximately 300 citizens, businesses, and other organizations should be used for the current proposal. Money was not donated to fund a consulting project. Further, we are curious about the "committee" that was supposedly formed in 2006 to see how the money should be spent. We know of no formal committee, and we are sure one of us would have been asked to participate as we had many ideas of how we could commemorate the 125th.

This use of the funds comes out of left field and we feel betrayed and angry.

Karen Dale, JoAnne Kennelly, Judy Das Gupta, Mary "Rogue" Weiland
River Forest