There is growing awareness of the recent village board decision to discontinue street-sweep leaf pickup and require residents to bag leaves for disposal. A petition was signed by 1,875 residents asking for an amendment to delay rollout until 2025 and a referendum empowering residents to make the final call on leaf disposal.
The community should know the board’s response to that petition, prompted by Trustee Enyia’s demonstration that he is willing to listen to the concerns of residents, courageously moving to amend, and seconded by Trustee Parakkat, who expressed concerns that there are too many unknowns, particularly with cost. His judgment was spot on, as clearly demonstrated later in the meeting when President Scaman also supported the delay.
However, the amendment was defeated, 4 to 3.
The public works director said research showed only 13 bags are needed all season for the average homeowner. He envisioned “Green Block Parties” and an army of volunteers for seniors, twice per season. Really?
The cost? Didn’t know. Only 50 seniors get snow assistance. A water bill credit would be given to compensate residents. Who would get it? Didn’t know. Cost? Didn’t know. Could LRS revert to the old method if the amendment passed? Couldn’t guarantee it, so didn’t know. Another contractor? Probably couldn’t find one. Worth checking? Apparently not, and it was too expensive to do ourselves. End of story. Makes one wonder how it was ever possible. In the meantime, seniors who need leaf assistance should not hesitate to apply. How? Don’t know yet.
Trustee Wesley is a “million percent against a referendum … where the community tells us what to do with our leaves.” He dismissed a resident’s cost concerns, converting the dollar amount to an equivalent number of bags. This misses the whole point: It’s labor cost, not bag cost. He announced that it was 10 p.m. and he was tired of discussion. “Let’s make the decision and deal with the consequences.”
Citizens elect the board, relinquishing their voice.
Our only voice is elections because trustees Wesley, Buchanan, Straw, and Robinson aren’t interested in yours now.
Vote, starting in 2025!
For video of the June 11 petition presentation, set time slider to 07:20: https://oak-park.granicus.com/player/clip/2526?view_id=4&redirect=true
For video of the June 18 village board meeting with motion to delay rollout of leaf-bagging to 2025, set time slider to 3:28:00: https://oak-park.granicus.com/player/clip/2533?view_id=4&redirect=true
Robert Parks, Oak Park