***Update 8/12*** Added city manager Anne Marie Gaura and fixed clarity issues. As our city council prepares to discuss a revitalization plan proposal for the Annie Glidden North (AGN) section of DeKalb, we should be aware of the possibility of a “done deal” already worked out by NIU and private interests, promoted by city staff…
DeKalb Park District did not endorse the Annie Glidden North plan proposal. Here’s why
The DeKalb Park District (DPD) did not endorse City of DeKalb’s Annie Glidden North proposal. The resolution on the issue, unanimously passed during a special meeting Tuesday night, reads as follows: NOW BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of the DeKalb Park District, County of DeKalb, and State of Illinois, as follows: That…
Ask me how I feel about the Annie Glidden North project when I know how NIU is involved
DeKalb city council had a special meeting on Tuesday to discuss what they’re calling the Annie Glidden North (AGN) “revitalization plan.” AGN is what they call three neighborhoods in the northwest section of the city on either side of Annie Glidden Road. According to the 100-page memo that accompanied the meeting agenda, DeKalb in 2016…
Gaura made significant changes to DeKalb’s administrative organization without public discussion
DeKalb city manager Anne Marie Gaura has pulled some police and fire department personnel under the umbrella of DeKalb’s Community Development Department, following private consultation with selected persons but no public discussion. Staff employed in the PD’s Crime Free Housing Bureau, and the FD’s Fire Prevention Lieutenant (FPL), will now report to a Chief Building…
DeKalb’s troubles with FOIA, its FOIA officer, and its no-good website
Mayor Jerry Smith has promised us another City of DeKalb Committee of the Whole meeting for hashing out problems with the city’s new Freedom of Information Act policies and procedures that changed without notice in May. While we’re waiting for that opportunity, I’m going to highlight the issues via a partial transcript of Mac McIntyre’s…
Feels like a SLAPP to me
***Update 11/3/2017*** Next court appearance is Wednesday, November 8, 2017, 9 am in Room 300 of the DeKalb County Courthouse. DeKalb’s police chief is suing a McHenry County resident for calling him names in emails addressed to other DeKalb city officials. [DeKalb Police Chief] Gene Lowery filed suit in DeKalb County Court in January 2016,…
Here are statutory provisions applicable to severance of an NIU president
…and I’m not altogether sure all of them were followed. Chapter 110 of the Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS) is the Chapter that governs higher education. You can see how it is organized here, that it has general provisions and then provisions specific to the Board of Higher Education, each public university, community colleges, and student…
Video of today’s meeting for 4th and 6th wards
The council members held it at the DeKalb Township building, and about 20 people from the 4th, 5th, and 6th wards attended. The last time I can remember going to a meeting in my ward was 2005, so this was a pretty big deal to me. They didn’t disappoint. I’ve posted it at the City…
Comment on the announced departure of NIU President Doug Baker
The departure of NIU President Doug Baker is not simply a response to an OEIG report of mismanagement. In my opinion, it’s also the product of citizens’ efforts that began in May 2014 when someone anonymously mailed the College Town Partners agreement to a founder of a group of concerned DeKalb residents called Preserve Our…
Send an email with the same PDF you put up at the website. Yes, it is that simple.
I’ve now viewed DeKalb city council’s Committee of the Whole meeting held last night. The meeting centered around the new online Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Center, and whether city staff members’ changes to FOIA policies and procedures are legal and fair. Nothing was resolved, so they will take up the topic again in a…