Gardner residents keep out!

According to the Morris Daily Herald, the Village of Gardner held a meeting to discuss the creation of a controversial TIF district. Commissioner Dick Hileman and city attorney Scott Belt were allowed in, but interested residents and members of the media were excluded.

"In fact, Commissioner Hileman locked the door, effectively preventing neighbors and members of the media from entering village hall."

The circumstances in which public meetings can be closed are limited. Doesn't the the village board have to vote to go into executive session? What is it that Hileman and Belt don't want you to know?

Read the complete Morris Daily Herald article

Read about how commissioner Hileman reacts to criticism, in Thomas vs. Hileman

Gus Macker

Do downtown businesses really benefit from the Gus Macker basketball tournament?

It's a start

The District 54 Board has voted (with two opposed) to eliminate one administrative position, that of Finance Director. It's about time at least one taxing body has determined to make fiscal responsibility a priority. Other taxing bodies should follow their lead. As an added bonus, the board did not consider any resolutions asking for the resignations of the dissenters.

Taxes

Tax bills are out. Taxes on a house in Morris might be double what they are for a comparable home in Coal City. (Yes, taxes in Coal City are substantially lower than last year.)

A Morris resident is likely to be paying more in taxes than an owner of a comparable house in places such as Naperville. Except Morris doesn't have the services that Naperville has, like park districts and public transportation.

Coal City cleans house

After beating his opponent by a wide margin, Neal Nelson has been sworn in as Coal City's new mayor. In his first official meeting, Nelson appointed a new city attorney. In what may prove to be a shrewd decision, Nelson has avoided the politics inherent in hiring a local law firm by selecting a firm from outside the area. Congratulations to the people of Coal City for taking action to bring about a change in their city government.

Missing: Backbone. If found, please contact Morris Aldermen

Despite being well-qualified for the position and receiving the nomination of the Grundy County Republican Party, David Trotter was passed over by the Morris City Council in favor of the mayor's choice, Don Hansen, to fill the aldermanic seat vacated by Ken Seidler. While the mayor has the power to make the appointment, it can only be done with the advice and consent of the city council. Aldermen Brown and Barkley voted against Hansen's appointment.