Dennis P. Clark Candidate for President, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Budget increases - We are committed to an immediate repeal of the yearly 3% raise the Commissioners and President gave themselves two years ago. We will also immediately review operations with a fresh eye towards consolidation of purchasing and cost cutting in every department.

No Bid Contacts - We are committed to enacting responsible bidder language and bidding all jobs, including professional services, with projected annual costs >$20,000.

Truck Garage in McKee Marsh - Dennis Clark, Shannon Burns and the community members who worked with them revealed a poorly conceived plan to move an $8 million centralized truck maintenance facility to Blackwell Forest Preserve right next to McKee Marsh.  No environmental impact study had been conducted to determine the impact upon a McKee Marsh, which has been recently restored at considerable tax payer expense.  No traffic study had been conducted to determine the cost and impact upon Mack Road, the only access to the facility. 

Updated truck facilities have been needed for 20 years.  13 months ago the Commission promised to look at alternatives to Blackwell Forest and report to the public, but no report has been provided.  When asked about the status of the review of alternative sites at the September 14th Board meeting, Executive Director Manning stated the delay has been caused by the receipt of 200 Freedom Of Information Act requests in the last year (many by these candidates) - an unethical and clearly politically motivated excuse. We suggest that if the Forest Preserve staff is having trouble dealing with information requests, the Board should act aggressively and quickly to make information more easily accessible to the public via the web site or public reports.

We suggest using existing facilities on commercial property, or perhaps sharing facilities like the maintenance facility recently opened in Lake County. The alternatives explored by the Forest Preserve must be revealed before the election.

Contributions from Special Interests - We believe that we must end pay-to-play politics. Current Commissioners and President Pierotti take campaign contributions from vendors who do business with the County and Forest Preserve.  We have not and will not accept contributions from companies, unions or individuals doing business with the Forest Preserve.

Failure to maintain our valuable open space - We understand that the days of adding vast new land assets to the Forest Preserve are drawing to a close. The Forest Preserve must transition to a new phase of careful maintenance and good stewardship of our Forest Preserves, which are a valuable asset. We will preserve the Forest Preserves and all of their valuable historic structures, increase access to all citizens and restore the public trust in local government.