I urge the village trustees to fully support the Citizens Steering Committee recommendations for Downtown Oak Park.
These recommendations reflect a wide range of Oak Park’s taxpayers who have done a terrific job of weighting the various options. There are some things I might not agree with, but I do agree that it reflects an excellent vetting process in the best interest of our community. Don’t fall into the same trap as previous boards and micro-manage every action (like you’re all architects and city planners, when you’re really just citizens, with power, expressing opinions).
Let the process of those who have contributed their time, expertise, energy and good will on behalf of Oak Parkers be the final word. Much has been said in the past few years about “economic development” and what should be done going forward. Most citizens don’t attend meetings, while a few others only know what they read in the newspapers, if they really take the time, so having a committee of their peers who have knowledge and experience in these areas to assist the decision-makers, is what has been asked for the last few years. It seems most of the angst of those not pleased with previous boards involved pleading for more citizen input. Well, here is an excellent example of what you asked for and, lo and behold, we have some trustees who can’t accept their fellow citizens’ recommendations!
Put on your governance hats, look at the big picture, listen, take a deep breath, agree to accept the full report you asked from your fellow taxpayers … and then vote yes!
Bill Higgins
Oak Park
