I have lived in my current home since 1977. The current issue impacts us directly as the nearby park trees deposit much of their leaves into our yard as well as the impact from parkway trees in front of our home.
I want to add my thoughts regarding the leaf-bagging issue. The stated concerns have existed for years, are rare events, and are weak excuses for making a change that impacts all, both financially and in time and labor expended.
Our largest and most mature trees are on our parkways and in our parks. They are the village’s trees, not ours. For years we have assisted in leaf collection. The piles created help capture leaves in the street. With “our” leaves bagged, our streets and alleys will still be filled with leaves and require management by the village, with the same equipment previously used. The streets will need to be cleaned or the sewers will be clogged and snow removal hampered.
We will not be having any “Green Block Parties” to manually clean the streets for you. Another issue not addressed is the village manpower required to pick up the leaf bags. While our garbage and recycling are picked up directly by trucks, our yard waste bags are picked up by an individual lifting them into a truck.
It has been said that “it is too late to change.” This should have been considered before a hurried decision was made. We are talking about a decision made in April for services to start in October. Lakeshore Recycling provided these services for several years and they either own or lease the equipment. They will still need to manage our streets and alleys. We have a contract. It is absurd to think this can’t be reversed. If necessary, find a new provider. I believe we should re-engage LRS to provide the previous services, and take time to examine the issue.
Beyond the issue of leaf-bagging is something more important. How are we represented by our village government? The trustees rushed the decision even though the village president and others asked for further study. A petition was presented, a request for a referendum was made, and all were ignored. Are there other dynamics such as cost savings in the budget, transferring expense to the public without a compensatory adjustment in taxes? This issue affects everyone and didn’t require emergency action. If the trustees don’t respond appropriately then we, the voters, should vote them out at the next opportunity. They aren’t representing our interests. Elected government officials are not expected to reach out to voters on every issue, but with an issue that affects all, and a strong negative opinion, they need to be responsive. Due to the staggered nature of terms, it will take time to replace the trustees in question.
Consider civil disobedience. It may be the only way to make a point. My previous neighbor never raked and when I asked him about it he said, “If you wait long enough the wind will just blow them away.” In the movie Network when everything was going badly and you felt helpless, it was suggested to stick your head out the window and yell, “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take this anymore.” We may be at that moment.
Hopefully, there is a more reasoned solution.
Michael Goodman is an Oak Park resident.