I have repeatedly mentioned to the Board several issues and never received a response.

1) Conversion of East End Parks building to a year long community center. It is foolish to be only open three months out of the year. Truthfully, I think the building was poorly located, inefficiently designed, lacks the privacy the old pool had. The fence needs to be bumped out to allow more utilization of the grassy area which would make it more picnic friendly and natural. A dog run could be achieve by joining the pool fence with the tennis Courts. I pointed out the fix for the flooding of the tennis courts. Very simple and almost no money, nothing has been done. I asked about volleyball courts and Gazebos/Shelters. I showed a way to do the shelter very cheaply to at least protect people during sudden storms. Nothing done.
I mentioned that crews show up and cut the grass during droughts when it is not needed. Again, nothing done. Tree trimming would allow for easier mowing. More picnic tables would allow more usage. I complained about the number of people outside the district sneaking in and crowding the pool because of a poorly designed entry. Minimal effort was finally done although mostly ineffective. I have stopped going to the pool because of this. Although some would assume it is selfish but it is not, I offered property to the Park that would vastly improved parking. It was considered and then rejected. Trip to foreign lands for Park District employees take priority.
Reply

Trips like this are nice but shouldn't this be provided by the private sector. I am not talking about regional trips. Only those to foreign lands.I also asked that cars be allowed to park along the roadway by simply stoning the edges. Why should that happen when it is a source of unending tickets to unsuspecting patrons. Nothing ruins a good day better than a ticket. 2) We need more gazebos in every park. It creates a sense of gathering, offers picnic possibilities, and suggests a sense of community. It also offers shelter from the storms that suddenly take place. Grandma and grandpa and the families have to rush back to their cars. They could require a permit for picnics. Many parks seem to be used by non-taxpayers. Many cars are from surrounding communities.
3) Why don't we create volunteers to plant flowers in the parks? I am not sure we would get the response we need but we could try.
4) Every day I see someone drive up to the park, see if the park is still there, and then leave. What is the purpose and do we need to expend that money.
4) What about large tents in the park that are seasonally placed. It adds a festive atmosphere and could be used for a myriad of activities. It might even eliminate to some degree the need for shelters although both would be nice.

5) This may not be Park District related although I think it is but what about making the Abbey a teen center. It could provide permit parking for students, is close to York High School and is somewhat isolated. I would create a new Senior Center. It seems underutilized and is isolated from those things that seniors might value such as the health club, libraries, parks, downtown and shopping.
6) What about Church gathering in Parks during good weather and other gathering for clubs, events, groups. Of course, under some form of shelter.
7) unrelated to Parks perhaps but what about of some enclosure for our wonderful crossing guards. I feel sorry for them.
Maybe the Park District could offer commuter buses that shuttle throughout the community and thus connect the whole town and maybe even free up all the Moms shuffling kids around.

These thoughts are directed at the above candidate. They are general thoughts directed to the Park District at large.

hey jim, i'm not running for re-election but you've made a claim that is completely false. I've been on the board for only 4 years, and during that time, you have never contacted me, or to my knowledge any of the current board members, and all of our e-mail addresses are a matter of public record @ epd.org. I would be glad to answer your questions but please do not claim that you have ever formally contacted us - Patch musings simply do not count.

Good for you Bob. Posts here by Jim and others are nothing more than verbal diarrhea, and often offer no real solutions or actionable items that help the community. This is a playground for the brain-dead.

Bob and Jerry
Braindead? Playground? They seem to be connected. Quit talking about yourselves.
You can't be that bad, can you?

Please tell us what idea I listed would not benefit the Community or the Parks.

Please be specific.

I mentioned these ideas many times to Rich Grodsky, Jim Rogers, discussed this while the pool was being discussed, talked to Park District employees , met with the Board aboutvthe sale of the land and parking issues. I wrote about this many times over thevyears in the Elmhurst Press and then the Patch. Bob Howard , perhaps you were on one of those overseas park district trips while all of this was going on.

Jerry, why don't you offer some ideas since mine are not doable. I can' t wait for your superior intellect to us brain dead folks to show all us of your brilliant idea. I am waiting.

I think there are ways the City, Park Board the School Board can work better together to make this happen, Jim. Using community resources like the Abbey for a teen location occasionally would be right up the alley of what one mayor candidate, Mark Mulliner, has been talking about. I heard Mulliner speak at an event last week. He said just that, let's get the city and parks and schools working together better than they are.

Makes good sense.

Now if we can clean house on the school board, get some fresh leadership on that board particularly, we can accomplish some good things in Elmhurst.

DL: yes, there are many issues that we can and do work together on. The Park/City/School committee meets every other month. Two elected officials from each body attend, along with the chief executive of each body. We attempt to cover as many mutual topics of interest as possible. From the City, it's Aldermen Mulliner & Kennedy; from Schools, it's McDonough & Blum; from Parks, it Mr. Spaeth and myself. Alot has already been accomplished. If you go to the "Local Voices" article from January 19, 2013, there is reference to some of the work of the committee. On our current agenda of course is the progress of the TIF agreement, among other things. Recently, the Park District Board voted to move our meetings to Wednesdays to increase transparency, and to make it easier for press outlets and citizens to attend the Board meetings of all three entities.

# Bob, what I and Mr. Mulliner are talking about is substance (and Jim). You are talking about process. Not just when meetings are held and who is on committees, but actual substance like Mr. Mulliner mentions. Getting the city and schools and parks really working together. The Abbey is a fine example. Who cares when the committee meets? No one. What is important is what Mr. Mulliner, Mr. Blum and others have been talking about. Create a real atmosphere of working together on substance to get things done.

Peace

We should all want the same thing.

The constant improvement of Elmhurst at every level and in every way possible for the good of all. No name calling please. If I didn't care I would not bother commenting and end up be dismissed or marginalized by

a few. That does not worry me. Independence is good but division is counterproductive.

One thing Mr. Mulliner mentioned at an event I attended would be for the park,city, and school to work together on some of the lawn maintenance projects. He gave an example where all 3 groups send out separate crews to mow the section of grass they "own" even though the overall area is connected together. Sure a small change like this won't make a huge difference to the overall budget but if the mindset is to look for the small improvements than they likely are also looking at the bigger opportunities. Plus it conserves energy by not having 3 separate crews driving around town.

I have no doubt Mark is a good man.

Jerry,

I eagerly await your well thought ideas. Hope it doesn't take much longer.

Hurry before my brain dead self comes back to life. Right now my verbal diarrhea is somewhere out in the park. Be careful where you step.

@ DL: I totally agree with you; it was my clear intention not to talk substance. This thread is supposed to be about the current Park District election; and I am not involved with that. If you or anyone else does have a complaint or issue or suggestion, our e-mail addresses can be found @ www.epd.org.

Mr. Howard,

Among the suggestions I have already made, along with the fact that I am not making any of this up and that I have presented them to other individuals besides yourself, will you be willing to express your thoughts on the ideas I have expressed ?

sure mr court, send those questions to me in an e-mail: bhoward@epd.org

mr court: why don't you leave these people alone ... do something constructive with all your free time !

Voice

What is wrong with asking these important questins designed to improve the community? Is passivity and indifference a better way? What in particular do you have a problem with ? I am extremely busy. I never sit around nor am I retired.

Once more, I ask you to tell what ideas I have presented do you not agree with ?

I will be more than glad to dicuss this with you on this forum.

Take care

Jim Court

hey jim, not a lot of activity on this thread; maybe you are the ONLY person in elmhurst that thinks (using the term loosely) these issues will 'improve the community' did the park guy ever answer your questions???

So I loosely think ? No wonder I get so little in the way of responses. I was asked to spell out in a e-mail what I had so clearly written about. My busy schedule did not allow me to regurgitate what I had said.

What ideas have I expressed that WOULD NOT benefit the Community ?

Hey.....if you can be a Senator could I be the President ?

Voice of Treason,

What is wrong with offering ideas to better the community?

Maybe I should watch Jerry Springer, Judge Judy, or sit in a bar.

Actually, I could probably sit in a bar and watch many programs there.

Maybe I would even run into you and we could talk about nothing in particular.

I think you might like that. If you are the Voice of Treason why don't you identify

your real name ? Mine is..............Jim Court, and I am real.