As December draws to a close, reviews and top 10 lists abound every where you turn. We seem to have a need to put the ending year in perspective- that, and fill white space- and a list fills the need. After hours (cough) of rereading news stories and pondering their significance, and skilled and thoughtful questioning of many Downers Grove residents (ahem), the Chronicle offers the following list of 2010 Downers Grove stories that we’ll still be thinking about in 2011.
1. Sandack Goes To Springfield
The appointment of Downers Grove Mayor Ron Sandack to fill the newly vacated seat of State Senator Dan Cronin caused a ripple effect in the upcoming village council elections. Because Cronin dallied in announcing his replacement- during which time there was significant political wrangling and maneuvering in local politics- Downers Grove was left with one mayoral candidate for the upcoming election. Maybe Martin Tully is the best candidate for the job and maybe not….but Downers Grove residents don’t have a choice, and that’s a shame. On the plus side, Downers Grove will have direct representation in Springfield for the first time in decades, and will hopefully be seeing the benefit of that in 2011 and years to come.
2. Financial Stability in Difficult Times
Village Manager David Fieldman led the council through an extensive and thorough long range financial planning process, and the 2010 budget was based on the analysis and evaluations that came from the plan. Despite continued economic difficulties, Downers Grove managed to keep expenses in line with severely reduced revenues without the loss of core services. Considering the challenges other DuPage municipalities faced this year- think Naperville and the police layoffs and subsequent civic unhappiness- Downers Grove has come through this first year of a new order with ease. Need further proof? Downers Grove racked up award after award in 2010 from industry and municipal groups in recognition of its financial and organizational excellence.
3. Downers Grove Is Open For Business
A holdover from the Krajewski regime, Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Greg Bedalov more than proved his mettle this year and silenced his naysayers. As other municipalities watched buildings empty, Downers Grove filled office and retail space with high profile corporations such as Dover and DeVry and smart, successful businesses like the the wildly popular Lemon Tree Grocer. The village and EDC facilitated businesses large and small with their needs and village tax receipts of 2011 will reflect their success.
4. Spotlight On Community Spirit
From fires that left families homeless to a civic organization that pulled together a community festival in just a few short months, residents stepped up to the plate during tough times this year. Two major fires- an apartment building on Belmont and a single family home on Main- had residents mobilizing on a dime to get the families the help they needed right away. When the village cut Heritage Fest due to budgetary concerns, the Rotary Club stepped in and put on a festival with all the highlights residents had come to expect over the years. The volunteerism was inspiring to many, and appears to have carried over to the village’s Human Services Commission, as they begin their new task of finding ways to bring the time, talents and pocketbooks of residents who have, together with those who are in need.
5. District Schools And The Courts
Despite the occasional grumbles from some who just wanted it to be over, the decision by the District 99 Board of Education to fight the eminent domain case brought against the Woodridge property by the Village of Woodridge looks like a good one. The board’s recent decision not to continue to appeal their loss is a prudent one as well. With 14 million dollars in the bank (instead of the 8 million originally offered by Woodridge), the district has more breathing room as it begins consideration of needed physical improvements to both schools. District 58 has concluded its time in court as well, and was finally able to issue Life Safety bonds to replace failing school roofs. Beginning in 2009 and carrying over to 2010, the 58 Board was involved in a bizarre series of legal maneuverings, when board member Scott O’Connell made repeated threats of legal action if the board continued pursuing the issuance of Life Safety bonds. Sanity prevailed and the district was able to begin roof replacements and other necessary safety repairs. In related news, O’Connell did not file for reelection to the board.
To me, our Village’s long-term financial sustainability is really the winner in 2010- as it was in 2009. Economic development, real community wins in both years, occurred because of terrific partnerships notwithstanding an unsettling recession. Martin Tully, along with the next Council, will do fine because they will be ably assisted by the best Village Staff in DuPage County. Happy New Year!