Facts about the DuPage Forest Preserve
Did You Know...
...that the Forest Preserve has hired an outside advertising group to promote the Forest Preserve to DuPage Citizens at a cost of $60,000 of your tax dollars by election time? Why is this needed when there are 7 full time people on staff in their Public Relations group?
...that this is the first time in nearly 20 years that some of the current Board members are being challenged in the election? Interestingly, this is also the first year that the Forest Preserve is spending your tax dollars to promote itself through an advertising group.
...that the Forest Preserve Golf courses are loosing two million dollars every year?
...that a lower than expected insurance settlement has been finally been agreed upon over one year after the Oak Meadows golf course banquet hall burned, yet the current board is justifying a 5.25% increase in the budget to pay for the demolition of the structure for 2011?
...that the Forest Preserve has spent almost 2 Million Dollars on garden enhancements at Danada house, that include artificial turf, the removal of a number of trees and a botanic garden filled with annuals? Is this part of the Mission of the Forest Preserve?
...that the Forest Preserve has raised the property tax rate four (4) of the last eight (8) years between 2003 through 2010? They leave years 2008 thru 2010 off their charts.
...that the current Forest Preserve Board regularly approves no-bid contracts up to $350,000? Current Board Members have received campaign contributions from these same contractors for thousands of dollars every year in the past.
...that one year ago the Fleet Maintenance Building at McKee Marsh was postponed after public outcry to consider alternative sites, but there has been no status report to the public?
...that the current Forest Preserve Board approved a budget that includes a 5.25% increase for next year, yet again increasing your taxes?
...that the current Board routinely takes up to 2 1/2 months to approve and post Board meeting minutes for public review? Recently meeting minutes were posted for public review over 1 year after the meeting. Minutes are "scrubbed" and do not include important details of issues discussed during public comment.
...that power could be generated from the methane gas at all land fills rather than flared off or vented to the atmosphere, severely increasing green house gases?
