Above / May Watts Park, one of approximately 140 open spaces maintained and operated by the Naperville Park District, is a natural setting to clear the air right in the heart of the city.
Every day when we venture out and about, local folks ask, ‘What’s happening?”
And many times we wonder why more folks don’t go directly to available sources, oftentimes public officials, for the answers when questions turn toward local government.
In fact, one time when we suggested that a resident call our City Council representatives, her reply was, “I can do that? They all seem so busy. Will I get a reply?”
And we offered that elected officials sign on to listen to constituents and if she didn’t receive a satisfactory reply from a Council member, to try again. Yes, they oftentimes are busy. Still, if the lack of response were repeated, and if that public official were to run for reelection in the future, remember at the ballot box.
Our city needs quality nonpartisan representation (In Naperville, city council members, school board members and park district commissioners are elected as nonpartisans.) on all local governing bodies; independent individuals eager to serve, listen, think critically and respond to “we the people.”
Since September 2001, PN’s mission has been to highlight local events in advance as well as to promote local enterprises, trying to urge folks to participate and pay attention to local lifestyles. Our aim has not been to provide detailed accounts that follow the agendas of public meetings. We’ve always encouraged folks to watch and pay attention.
When asked to “cover” events, we explain that we preview rather than review.
We admit, however, to being local government junkies, regularly following the meetings conducted in public by locally-elected officials. That way we aim to avoid hearsay. Watching meetings allows knowing when thoughts are omitted or taken out of context that sometimes appear as bias in other media. Furthermore, viewing local governing bodies at work is enlightening, sometimes accompanied with drama, comedy and tragedy as well as best bets.
Recent public meetings with awards/proclamations, public comments and public approvals are saved for your review by your local governing bodies…
While it’s not always easy to find the archives of past meetings the first time you look for city council, school boards or park district board, it gets easier with familiarity to their websites and more frequent access. Here’s hoping readers will take a little time watch and attend in person, especially now that public meetings have opened again.
Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners
Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting (Click here), Thurs., May 13, 2021 / Thanks to four outgoing Commissioners Mike Reilly, Mike King, Bill Eagan and Bobby Carlsen. The each gave parting remarks during this meeting. Newly-elected Commissioners Rhonda Ansier, Mary Gibson, Leslie Ruffing and Alison Thompson joined Rich Janor, Marie Todd and Josh McBroom on the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners. A Board President will be elected at the next meeting, May 27.
- First meeting of the month (held on the second Thursday) is generally held at 7PM.
- Second meeting of the month (held on the fourth Thursday) is generally held at 6:30PM
School District 203
School District 203 Board Meeting (Click here), Tues., May 18, 2021 / D203 Board of Education is served by Kristen Fitzgerald (President), Kristine Gericke, Donna Wandke, Charles Cush, Joe Kozminski, Tony Casey and Amanda McMillen.
203 Board Meetings with links to archives
District 203 Board of Education holds business meetings at 7PM on the third Monday of the month. Special meetings are scheduled as required. Time for public comment is provided.
School District 204
School District 204 Board Meeting (Click here), Mon., May 17, 2021 / D204 Board of Education is served by Laurie Donahue (President), Mark Rising, Susan Demming, Allison Fosdick, Natasha Grover, Supna Jain and Justin Karubas.
Future 204 School Board Meetings with links to archives
Regular Board Meeting: 7PM Monday, June 14, 2021. Time for public comment is provided.
Naperville City Council
Naperville City Council Meeting (Click here), Tues., May 18, 2021 / The Naperville City Council is served by Mayor Steve Chirico, Ian Holzhauer, Paul Leong, Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Benny White, Patty Gustin, Paul Hinterlong, Pat Kelly and Theresa Sullivan.
(In case you missed it, here’s a link to the text of the Mayor’s State of the City Address as presented on May 17, 2021. This annual address by the Naperville Mayor was brought to the community by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce.)
The next Naperville City Council meeting is set for 7PM Tues., June 1, 2021.
Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC)
Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission (Click here), Thurs., May 20, 2021 / PZC Chairman Bruce Hanson thanks Commissioner Krishna Bansal for six years of service on the PZC.
The City of Naperville is home to 23 boards and commissions.
Do you know elected officials serving local governing bodies?
Get to know your elected officials—all local residents. Perhaps they’re also friends, neighbors, maybe even family, who ran to serve this community.
When residents take time to watch local governing bodies while officials conduct business either “live” or saved in an archive, it’s more likely that “hearsay” can be prevented.
Thanks for taking time to get the straight scoop of local actions by regularly watching officials elected to serve you. We appreciate that our city’s governing bodies have made their meetings transparent and accessible around the clock.
Elected officials will benefit from hearing from you. No matter which side of the dais you’re sitting, being informed takes time.
—Stephanie Penick, PN
