Kids are back in school. Many teens are off to college for the first time. And the 52nd Annual Last Fling, the Naperville Jaycees’ biggest fundraiser, returns to fill Labor Day weekend with four fun-filled family-focused days of entertainment.
Beginning Sept. 5, all of us residents are welcomed to begin our own homework as our city keeps moving forward with large numbers of building permits for privately-owned property. Some folks ask, where are we going?
We elect individuals to serve us. If elected officials at City Hall, Naperville Park District and School Districts 203 and 204 don’t hear from us, they won’t know how to represent us.
During this month when our nation commemorates the signing of the Constitution on Sept. 17, we the people also will pause six days earlier to reflect on the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.
Many local service organizations will be planning to help the Gulf region ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. This community responds generously.
Mixed with it all, our city will continue budget workshops. Our nonprofit social services will address local unmet needs and apply for grants.
And we’ll be sorting out our wants to distinguish between needs and nice-to-haves.
Last year the City changed its fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year. This fall important budget workshops likely will compete with back-to-school events and other important meetings by other governing bodies.
For starters, here are a few topics that require regular attention for positive outcomes.
- Fifth Avenue Redevelopment Plan
- Save Old Nichols Campaign
- Proposed Special Service Area (SSA) along Ogden Avenue
- Moser Tower & Millennium Carillon Assessment
- Historic School Funding Reform
- Park District Growth, Development & Renovations
- Pension reform
- Rescue efforts along Gulf Coast after Hurricane Harvey
- The Internet Effect on Local Commerce
- Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
- Home-Rule Sale Tax
- Stress / All Ages
- Drug Abuse / All ages
- Drag Racing
- Kindness
Changing the face and personality of a city in the spirit of progress and economics sometimes seems short sighted. Folks who ask questions are not necessarily NIMBYs, BANANAs or CAVEs. Q&A as well as taking time for a fair and open process are essential in a civic-minded city like Naperville where many of our best amenities started as ideas from Naperville residents.
Get to know the new risk-taking developers with plans to redevelop private property in this community. Welcome them to preserve the historic charm and vibrant lifestyle that continually has attracted residents since Captain Joe Naper’s family arrived on the banks of the DuPage River in 1831.
Twenty years ago, a majority of families in Naperville subscribed to one or more of the daily newspapers where the presentation kept folks focused on local issues. The new way we live and learn makes it challenging to be on the same page with the same set of facts.
Since Sept. 1, 2001, PN has aimed to spotlight the arts, special events, local businesses and development that create jobs, prosperity and peace.
Thanks for shopping, dining, banking and entertaining locally whenever possible. Thanks for reading in print and online at www.positivelynaperville.com.
