The River Forest village president’s recent letter celebrating National Senior Citizens Day might read as a warm tribute, but residents should see it for what it is: a distraction. Lavish praise of seniors is no substitute for honest governance.
Yes, our older adults have contributed immeasurably to River Forest. But the President’s sudden emphasis on “community” in lieu of “infrastructure and planning” sidesteps a harsher truth: residents, including many senior citizens, are being forced to pay attention to infrastructure and long-term planning only because of the village’s ongoing financial mismanagement. Costly and shortsighted investment decisions have left taxpayers holding the bag, yet the responsibility is quietly shifted back to us under the guise of “community building.”
What the President does not say is just as important as what she does. She consistently and deliberately ignores the will of the people, whether by pushing ahead with unpopular projects or by denying the results of a free and fair election that established term limits for her office. It is one thing to host a Bingo game and serve ice cream. It is another to deny constituents’ votes and silence our voices.
River Forest deserves leadership that respects its citizens not only with platitudes but with accountability. Our community doesn’t need more overblown thank-yous. It needs honesty, responsible financial stewardship and, above all, respect for democratic decisions.
Deborah Borman
River Forest