I was never a fan of DeKalb’s decision to open a fourth fire station. It’s not financially sustainable. Already we see it in this year’s budget, with $100,000 coming out of the city’s operating reserve to repair fire facilities, and pension liabilities continuing to explode. A more modest expansion would have fit financial realities better.…
Category: Community Resources
Sycamore Fire’s staffing woes flag a growing EMS burden
Have you noticed? Mutual aid for fire response has gotten out of hand. Some 10-15 years ago, newspaper reports typically would list 6 or 7 fire departments that showed up to assist the lead agency. The number has since crept up to 12. Why? At this point — which is to say, following exploration into…
Playing a “professionalism card” on membership would create a conflict of interest for DeKalb’s Human Relations Commission
If previous actions are any indication, the Cohen Barnes administration would like to get rid of DeKalb’s Human Relations Commission, but apparently doesn’t have the votes required for repeal. So it’s decided to undermine the commission instead. DeKalb’s next city council meeting will include consideration of changes to three city commissions that have not met…
DeKalb’s plans for a new fire station don’t make sense
Management staff at City of DeKalb are proposing to build a fourth fire station on South Malta Road, next to the property housing Schnucks. Here are three reasons to question the plan. Let’s expand on that last thought because it’s extra bizarre. The area of greatest demand is the northwest quadrant, but management doesn’t want…
DeKalb’s commuter rail roadmap, ignored
City of DeKalb is spending $98,000 on a study of the feasibility of bringing commuter rail service to our city. But the information is already available. DeKalb County examined feasibility at the end of 2015. Led by then-county board chair Mark Pietrowski, an informal meeting of the Metra Rail Exploratory Committee included representatives from DeKalb,…
How did City of DeKalb end up paying the library’s expansion debt?
Mr. Teresinski expressed his frustration that the library debt became the City’s obligation rather than the library’s. Mr. Teresinski commented there is no revenue that the City is using on the library’s behalf so it’s a pure add on to the City budget. City Manager Nicklas stated it was his understanding that the library needed…
Letter: County board member Scott Campbell explains his votes this week
On Wednesday evening, DeKalb County Board held a special meeting to vote on three items: Placing a referendum on the November ballot asking county residents to approve a property tax levy to maintain DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center (DCRNC). Accepting Saba Healthcare’s Letter of Intent (LOI) to purchase DCRNC. Accepting Illuminate HC’s LOI to…
Series: DeKalb County Rehab & Nursing Center Spotlight
I’m gathering the DCRNC posts into one place chronologically (just as I’ve done for the housing authority posts). The DCRNC series began November 2021 as a way to explain development of the county home’s financial crisis. It has since evolved into coverage of the debate and decisions that will determine its future. I’ve also created…
Housing authority sends termination notice over alleged unreported income
This continues the story of Robert S. The Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb (HACD) wanted Mr. S to sign a repayment agreement, saying Mr. S had failed to report a change in income. Mr. S has not signed the agreement, so HACD has sent him a notice of termination from the Housing Choice…
Serious issues evident in the housing authority’s procedures for debt collection
Robert S. says he received the paperwork below from the Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb (HACD) last month. It’s a repayment agreement for money HACD is claiming he owes them. Redaction is mine. Mr. S told me he can’t sign the agreement because it’s a lie — that he doesn’t owe HACD the…