FTC's Motto -2007
The Way Things Are Going, I Won't Be Nicer For A Long, Long, Long Time!An Electronic Newsletter – With Highwood News, Information & Entertainment
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CAN WE PLEASE GET A MAYOR THAT KNOWS HOW TO COUNT TO 5?
Highwood's nominal Mayor, Vince Donofrio, is a banker. Highwood's City Administrator is an attorney. Highwood's new City Attorney's accomplishments are listed on his former firm's web site. He has left that firm to work in the public sector. He is now merely "Of Counsel" to his old firm. That means he works for them, but not much.
The firm web site boasts impressive credentials for Highwood's part time attorney. Having worked years ago for large municipalities like Naperville, Downers Grove, etc. But, it seems that paying attention to tiny Highwood may be beneath him. 
On Tuesday night, what may be a first in Highwood City government occurred. With four aldermen, and the Mayor, (that's 5 elected officials, or 4 + 1 = 5) attending the City Council meeting, and after consulting at length with the City attorney, the Mayor declared that there would be no meeting as there was no "quorum". A quorum is a majority of the Council. For those of you who don't know, Highwood has eight aldermanic positions and one Mayor (OK, I will avoid the gratuitous "shot" about "What Mayor"). In other words, to determine a quorum, the following higher math functions are required:
8 + 1 = 9
9 divided by 2 = 4.5
Round to the next highest number/human -- 4.5 is rounded to 5.
Therefore a majority of 9 = 5
Number required for a Quorum!!!
Or, you can simply hold up 5 fingers on one hand, and 4 fingers on the other hand. The hand with the most fingers (5) is the number for a quorum. so, removing your shoes isn't even required!
Don't believe me? Well, here is the law from the Illinois Municipal Code: 65 ILCS § 3.1-40-20. Quorum. A majority of the corporate authorities shall constitute a quorum to do business.
Or in simple language from the Illinois Municipal League Handbook: (Which is a primer in municipal law that everyone has):
"Quorum The Municipal Code provides that a majority of the corporate authorities, i.e., the council or board of trustees and the mayor or president, shall constitute a quorum to do business. 65 ILCS 5/3.1-40-20. Acts...The mayor or president is to be counted in determining whether a quorum is present. For example, if a city has a mayor and fourteen aldermen, the corporate authorities are composed of fifteen individuals. It is necessary that at least eight aldermen, or the mayor and seven aldermen, be present at a meeting in order to constitute a quorum to do business."
So, for the first time in memory, the Highwood Council meeting was called for lack of a quorum. In other words, the City of Highwood Team forfeited. Have you heard of any other town canceling a Board Meeting for lack of interest?
But, the amazing thing is that with all that brain power, degrees and credentials, neither the Mayor, nor the City Administrator, nor apparently, the City Attorney figured out that the City was forfeiting when, in fact they had enough people to field a team. They actually had a Quorum!
So, Highwood gets another "black eye". Remember, FTC is not making the City look bad. The City is making itself look bad, we are merely reporting their actions.
So, the City ground to a halt because no one knew how to count properly. Or more appropriately, apparently, neither the Mayor nor the "professional staff" gave the correct advice. No bills were paid, no contracts were approved, the Mayor's aldermanic appointee and his wife sat in the audience, and the citizens that attended went home. Highwood will go for almost a month with no City Council meeting. Something that has never happened before!
`
Contributions of City Administrator & City Attorney
While the mayor illegally declared there was no quorum, the City Attorney sat mute. The City Administrator who has no training in these matters (remember the lack of a degree in Public Administration) sat mute. The City stopped functioning, because of lack of leadership, and lack of knowledge.
But, who needs City Council Meetings at City Hall on Tuesdays? The real management of the City happens at City Hall South on Wednesday nights. So, don't worry, the City is in good hands, well, it's in some hands, just not the hands of anybody that you elected. The guys you elected can't muster enough people for a meeting.
And when they do attend, the City's Banker-Mayor can't count that high. Maybe that explains his desire to approve the Highwood Towers project. The Banker-Mayor doesn't know that Highwood Towers is nine stories. He probably lost count at four stories.
The "Four Story" Highwood Towers Project
(Stories Counted By Vince)
HIGHWOOD TOWERS ZONING MEETING: On January 18th, 2007 at 7:00 PM the Plan Commission and Zoning Board will commence a new hearing for approval of MEGA Realty's nine story, mixed use Highwood Towers proposal. If you care about Highwood's future, you will be there.
Is This Your Idea of Highwood? Actual Rendering of the MEGA Proposal!
You will find the Highwood Towers Zoning submittal and related materials on that web site, available for download. In addition, these materials are available for inspection at Highwood City Hall. Further, FTC has provided the City with CD-ROMs containing the PDF materials. You can pick these up at City Hall.
Bookmark the FTC Web site: http://hwdftc.home.comcast.net/ or Click this Link: From the Corner
Got a Suggestion or Comment?
E-mail Us At: HWDLAW@aol.com
OR Visit Our New FTC BLOG At: http://hwdftc.blogspot.com/
Make Highwood City government work! If the Mayor and City Council can't run things, it's up to you, the citizens and business owners to do it for them...for yourself.
From left to right: Chimp from HP, Chimp from LF; Chimp from DFLD, commenting at Zoning Meeting
REMEMBER, DON'T FEAR THE TRAINED CHIMPS, FLYING MONKEYS, and INSINCERE SHILLS! THEY ARE LOUD, RUDE, IGNORANT, AND HARMLESS! THE CITY BELONGS TO YOU, NOT VINCE'S OUT OF TOWN "CHIMP BRIGADE" THAT HE MUSTERS TO ATTEND MEETINGS, INTIMIDATE AND STIFLE PUBLIC COMMENT. REMEMBER THAT EVEN MILD MANNERED DOROTHY BEAT THE WICKED WITCH'S FLYING MONKEYS.
Thank you for your interest.
8 + 1 = 9
9 divided by 2 = 4.5
Round to the next highest number/human -- 4.5 is rounded to 5.
Therefore a majority of 9 = 5
Number required for a Quorum!!!
Or, you can simply hold up 5 fingers on one hand, and 4 fingers on the other hand. The hand with the most fingers (5) is the number for a quorum. so, removing your shoes isn't even required!Don't believe me? Well, here is the law from the Illinois Municipal Code: 65 ILCS § 3.1-40-20. Quorum. A majority of the corporate authorities shall constitute a quorum to do business.
Or in simple language from the Illinois Municipal League Handbook: (Which is a primer in municipal law that everyone has):
"Quorum The Municipal Code provides that a majority of the corporate authorities, i.e., the council or board of trustees and the mayor or president, shall constitute a quorum to do business. 65 ILCS 5/3.1-40-20. Acts...The mayor or president is to be counted in determining whether a quorum is present. For example, if a city has a mayor and fourteen aldermen, the corporate authorities are composed of fifteen individuals. It is necessary that at least eight aldermen, or the mayor and seven aldermen, be present at a meeting in order to constitute a quorum to do business."
So, for the first time in memory, the Highwood Council meeting was called for lack of a quorum. In other words, the City of Highwood Team forfeited. Have you heard of any other town canceling a Board Meeting for lack of interest?
But, the amazing thing is that with all that brain power, degrees and credentials, neither the Mayor, nor the City Administrator, nor apparently, the City Attorney figured out that the City was forfeiting when, in fact they had enough people to field a team. They actually had a Quorum!
So, Highwood gets another "black eye". Remember, FTC is not making the City look bad. The City is making itself look bad, we are merely reporting their actions.
So, the City ground to a halt because no one knew how to count properly. Or more appropriately, apparently, neither the Mayor nor the "professional staff" gave the correct advice. No bills were paid, no contracts were approved, the Mayor's aldermanic appointee and his wife sat in the audience, and the citizens that attended went home. Highwood will go for almost a month with no City Council meeting. Something that has never happened before!
`
Contributions of City Administrator & City Attorney
While the mayor illegally declared there was no quorum, the City Attorney sat mute. The City Administrator who has no training in these matters (remember the lack of a degree in Public Administration) sat mute. The City stopped functioning, because of lack of leadership, and lack of knowledge.But, who needs City Council Meetings at City Hall on Tuesdays? The real management of the City happens at City Hall South on Wednesday nights. So, don't worry, the City is in good hands, well, it's in some hands, just not the hands of anybody that you elected. The guys you elected can't muster enough people for a meeting.
And when they do attend, the City's Banker-Mayor can't count that high. Maybe that explains his desire to approve the Highwood Towers project. The Banker-Mayor doesn't know that Highwood Towers is nine stories. He probably lost count at four stories.
The "Four Story" Highwood Towers Project
(Stories Counted By Vince)HIGHWOOD TOWERS ZONING MEETING: On January 18th, 2007 at 7:00 PM the Plan Commission and Zoning Board will commence a new hearing for approval of MEGA Realty's nine story, mixed use Highwood Towers proposal. If you care about Highwood's future, you will be there.
Is This Your Idea of Highwood? Actual Rendering of the MEGA Proposal!
You will find the Highwood Towers Zoning submittal and related materials on that web site, available for download. In addition, these materials are available for inspection at Highwood City Hall. Further, FTC has provided the City with CD-ROMs containing the PDF materials. You can pick these up at City Hall.Bookmark the FTC Web site: http://hwdftc.home.comcast.net/ or Click this Link: From the Corner
Got a Suggestion or Comment?
E-mail Us At: HWDLAW@aol.com
OR Visit Our New FTC BLOG At: http://hwdftc.blogspot.com/
Make Highwood City government work! If the Mayor and City Council can't run things, it's up to you, the citizens and business owners to do it for them...for yourself.
From left to right: Chimp from HP, Chimp from LF; Chimp from DFLD, commenting at Zoning Meeting
REMEMBER, DON'T FEAR THE TRAINED CHIMPS, FLYING MONKEYS, and INSINCERE SHILLS! THEY ARE LOUD, RUDE, IGNORANT, AND HARMLESS! THE CITY BELONGS TO YOU, NOT VINCE'S OUT OF TOWN "CHIMP BRIGADE" THAT HE MUSTERS TO ATTEND MEETINGS, INTIMIDATE AND STIFLE PUBLIC COMMENT. REMEMBER THAT EVEN MILD MANNERED DOROTHY BEAT THE WICKED WITCH'S FLYING MONKEYS.Thank you for your interest.
1 comment:
The new City Attorney and new City Administrator need to step up to the plate. They need to better protect the aldermen who obviously don't know what they are doing (we absolutely know the Mayor doesn't). What are they being paid for?
Ted
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