Citizens For Kirchenberg for Forest Preserve Commissioner District 2 DuPage County, IL

Don Kirchenberg thanks the voters and supporters.

Wed, 7 Nov 2012 02:01:00 -0600

Don Kirchenberg thanks the voters and supporters.
Press Release/Letter to the Editor: November 6, 2012
Don Kirchenberg, candidate for the position of Commissioner of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District serving District 2 would like to thank the voters for their support in today’s election. Kirchenberg stated “To receive a single vote is nice but to get tens of thousands of votes in this election is very flattering.” He also wishes to thank everyone that supported his candidacy with their donations, literature distribution and of course votes. Don wishes to congratulate all the winners including Commissioner Cantore.
As an experienced and independent volunteer, Don has worked hard for many decades in DuPage County, to protect our environment including the forest preserves. He plans to continue his volunteer work in these areas. Don states “this campaign may be over but the need to protect our forest preserves is ongoing.”
Don continues “the election was important because with 3 new Commissioners they can now make changes to how the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County operates.” He encourages all the Commissioners to improve their communication with more evening meetings and the broadcasting of all meetings on the web and cable TV. Don still hopes they will oppose the building of any new maintenance facilities in the forest preserves including the Blackwell Forest Preserve.
Don believes all Commissioners should adopt a pledge to no longer accept gifts or campaign contributions from employees of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County or companies that do business with the FPD of DuPage County. The practice of contractors giving donations to the elected officials at all levels of the government that votes to give them contracts needs to be eliminated.

SUMMARY: Don has lived in DuPage County for over 23 years. Don has served on many committees and the boards of directors of non-profit groups as a volunteer to help our communities.

Don currently serves as Voluntary Chairman of the Friends of the Great Western Trails. More information about the Great Western Trails and this group can be found at web site: http://www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com/

Note the next annual all volunteer trails cleanup has been scheduled for Saturday, 4/27/13 rain or shine.

Love of nature drives Forest Preserve candidates - The Doings Oak Brook

Sun, 4 Nov 2012 23:36:00 -0600

Love of nature drives Forest Preserve candidates - The Doings Oak Brook According to this newspaper article the "Love of nature" drives the candidates but only one fought for and got a new forest preserve (Glacial Ridge Forest Preserve) created. That would be Don Kirchenberg. Get more info at http://citizensforkirchenberg.com/ Please share this information with family, friends, neighbors and coworkers!

No one should get rich from public service!

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 17:06:00 -0500

DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioners accept unlimited campaign contributions from companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. This is unethical and should be illegal!

Here are specific examples where one of the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioners (Joe Cantore from District 2) has accepted unlimited campaign contributions from companies where he has approved pricing and many times no bid contracts worth hundreds of thousands totaling millions of our tax dollars. “Accepting any campaign contributions from any companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is unethical. It should be illegal” states Don Kirchenberg, candidate for Forest Preserve Commissioner, District 2. “I have not and will not accept any monies from any company doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.”

These donations were reported to the IL State Board of Elections for contributions received in the past few years. Don Kirchenberg explains “the recent contributions to Commissioner Cantore from his fundraiser held in October will not have to be reported until year end. Here are enough examples that show a bad pattern that we believe is wrong.”

Cantore reported $2,800.00 in campaign contributions from Kuhn Mitchell Moss a Naperville law firm. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Kuhn Mitchell Moss in an amount exceeding $640,000 for legal services.

Cantore reported $1,000.00 in campaign contributions from Chapman & Cutler a Chicago law firm. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Chapman & Cutler in an amount exceeding $175,000 for legal services.

Cantore reported $900.00 in campaign contributions from Day & Robert PC a Naperville law firm. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Day & Robert in an amount exceeding $325,000 for legal services.

Cantore reported $750.00 in campaign contributions from Wight Architects and its owners. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Wight Architects in an amount exceeding $300,000 for design work for development (new building, etc) at Willowbrook Forest Preserve.

Cantore reported $850.00 in campaign contributions from Christopher Burke Engineering. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Christopher Burke Engineering in an amount exceeding $150,000.

Cantore reported $350.00 in campaign contributions from Coffman Truck Sales owner Frank Coffman. In the past two years, Cantore has approved Forest Preserve payments in no-bid contracts to Coffman Truck Sales for the purchase of truck parts in an amount exceeding $30,000.

There are additional examples for Commissioner Cantore and with the other Commissioners. “We need a rule that stops these unethical campaign contributions. As a Commissioner I would work to pass a rule making these contributions illegal. No one should get rich from public service.” concluded Don Kirchenberg. ###

Pay, transparency issues in Forest Preserve District 2 race

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:01:00 -0500

Pay, transparency issues in Forest Preserve District 2 race Thanks to the Chicago Tribune for their article on 10/23 and make the difference crystal clear between the two candidates running for Forest Preserve Commissioner in District 2.

Read the article here and please pass it along by sharing.
Here is a highlight from the article about the difference between us regarding salaries...

The commissioners currently are paid $53,500 a year, plus benefits. Kirchenberg said he thinks the salaries should be cut roughly in half, to $25,000.

"It's way too much money. When I talk to voters, they are upset about it," he said. "If I'm elected I won't take a pension and I will move to reduce benefits."

Republican Cantore said he advocated for a reduction in the salary, which had been $57,000, but only could garner support to get it reduced to the current $53,500. DuPage County board members are paid $50,000 a year.
"I wanted the salaries dropped down from $57,000 to $50,000" he said. "It's a good start, but I think it should be more on par with the county board (salaries).".

Kirchenberg charges the current commissioners are more interested in maintaining their salaries and benefits than studying issues. "The current commissioners vote as a block. They get full-time pay and benefits so they don't challenge the status quo."
PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG BY SHARING. Here is a direct link to the article: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/suburbs/ct-tl-dupage-forest-district-d2-20121023,0,5499224.story

VOTER REGISTRATION is still available through 11/3/12!

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 09:07:00 -0500

Much was written and posted (including us) about the start of early voting on 10/22. Citizens should also know that they can STILL REGISTER TO VOTE til 11/3 at the DuPage Election Commission offices in Wheaton, IL. Here is the info...
Grace Period Registration and Voting Available
Robert T. Saar, Executive Director of the DuPage County Election Commission, reminds all potential electors within the County of DuPage, Illinois law provides a “grace period” to register and vote for the upcoming November 6, 2012, General Election, for individuals who were unable to register to vote or change their address prior to the traditional deadline (October 9, 2012).
"The “grace period” is from October 10, 2012, through November 3, 2012. Registering to vote or transferring a registration and voting during the “grace period” may only be done in the Election Commission office, 421 North County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois.
For more information on grace period registration and voting, call the Election Commission at (630) 407-5600 or click here http://www.dupageco.org/Election/Election_Commission_News/2012/38620/ An individual may check the status of their voter registration by visiting our website and using “Voter Status Lookup”.
And after you register to vote they let you vote right there!

FPD of DC meeting canceled and no news of future meetings

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:50:00 -0500

The current Forest Preserve Commissioners and President always say a couple of things... "We must be doing OK since people don't come to the meetings." or you often hear "If the people are really interested they would be here at the meetings." The meetings are held on a Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM. The last evening meeting they had was on Valentine's day evening 2-14-12.
And when they cancel a meeting they don't even bother to post when their next meeting would be held. Click here and then click on the 10/22 meeting notice line: http://www.dupageforest.com/AboutUs/Commission/Meetings/Schedules/2012_Meeting_Notices.html

If they really wanted more people involved they would do the following:

Hold many more evening meetings.
Tape and broadcast their meetings on local cable and the Internet like the over whelming majority of local government agencies including Park Districts do every week.
Detail the next meeting date when they post any meeting cancellation.
The Commissioners should have town hall meetings in the communities they are supposed to represent.

There are many ways to solicit and gain more citizen participation with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. As your Commissioner I would pursue these easy steps as a start!

The Republicans have withdrawn their legal challenge of my right to be on the ballot at the IL Appellate Court.

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:18:00 -0500

GREAT NEWS! The Republicans have withdrawn their legal challenge of my right to be on the ballot at the IL Appellate Court. According to my attorney (the very talented Ted Donner) their challenge was based on something the same court has recently decided against. They wanted more time and the IL Appellate Court said no.

Now we have to raise money to pay the court filing fees and legal costs - this diversion is probably why they initiated these challenges. Any assistance would be appreciated. Our address is at the web site www.protectourforestpreserves.org Please pass this along.
And let's take this as a compliment that they have been fighting us so hard to get my name off the ballot!

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:44:00 -0500

As noted in the comments attached to this article about the need for more transparency with the our Forest Preserve District http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20121017/news/710179724/ Commissioner Cantore accepts unlimited campaign donations from contractors/vendors providing goods/services to the Forest Preserve and he doesn't even understand why this is unethical! " Oakbrook Terrace Republican seems unconcerned with the appearances surrounding his acceptance of a $1,000 campaign donation from the commission's law firm, though he votes on the firm's contract. " Read this article from the 2010 endorsement of Cantore's opponent Hilary Denk http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20101023/discuss/710239694/

I believe it is unethical to accept any campaign donations from companies that you set prices with and pay with our tax dollars. In addition a rule should be passed by the Forest Preserve Commissioners to eliminate this practice. PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG.

Campaign support, contact friends/coworkers and letters to the editor

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 12:49:00 -0500

Thank you to all for your support which has made this a very successful campaign in getting the word out to the voters of District 2. Please be sure to let anyone you know in the following towns about the opportunity to elect a better Commissioner in District 2. Here are the towns to contact the folks you know: Villa Park, Lombard, Elmhurst, Lisle, Oakbrook Terrace, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, Clarendon Hills, Woodridge and Hinsdale.
#2 In addition to contacting friends, relatives and coworkers in the towns listed above a letter to the editor is another great way to let people know about the opportunity to elect a better Forest Preserve Commissioner. Thanks again to Mark Garrity for his letter recently published on the Patch and in local newspapers like the Lombardian. Here it is: http://www.lombardian.info/9701.html You can send your own letters to the following email addresses: amanda@patch.com, karenc@patch.com, letters@tribune.com, letters@suntimes.com, doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com, QuestPublishing@aol.com, lombardian@sbcglobal.net, publisher@buglenewspapers.com, fencepost@dailyherald.com, rterrell@shawmedia.com, lisle@patch.com, thesun@scn1.com, news@examinerpublications.com and citizensforkirchenberg@gmail.com Please include these web addresses in your letter: http://citizensforkirchenberg.blogspot.com/ and http://protectourforestpreserves.org/ You also need to include your name, city/town and phone number which will not be published but will be used to contact you to confirm that you wrote the email. THANKS!

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:28:00 -0500

We received good news at the DuPage County Election Commission during today's meeting. The Executive Director, 3 Commissioners and their attorney advised me that my name "Donald P. Kirchenberg" will remain on the ballot for the position of Forest Preserve Commissioner, District 2 as is and without any asterick or addendum noting any challenge with the IL Appellate Court. The attorney we are using believes their challenge is without merit and we will soon prevail in court. Now we just need to raise extra monies to help pay our excellent hard working attorney to defend us at the IL Appellate Court.

For more info on the campaign go www.citizensforkirchenberg.com and http://citizensforkirchenberg.blogspot.com/ Please pass it on!

Now let's keep walking and knocking on some doors. We have some updated lit and welcome your participation. Please let me know of your availability!

Tue, 9 Oct 2012 11:41:00 -0500

DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner Joe Cantore, District 2 was absent again at today's (10/9/12) Forest Preserve Commission meeting. He and any other Commissioner get paid whether they attend the meetings or not. Their salary for this part-time job is $53,500 plus full time benefits, a tax payer subsidized pension, free cell phone and free laptop with 24 hour computer tech support. The salary and extra benefits are too high. The salary should be reduced to $25,000.
In addition the Commissioners should only be allowed a set number of paid absences. Let's start with 3 paid absences for the year. Then after the 3 absences they get their salary reduced by the percentage of time that was missed for the month. If there are 4 meetings that month and one meeting is missed than that month's salary payment is reduced by 25%. With only 6 Commissioners the tracking of attendance and paid salaries should be straight forward. Of course if the Commissioners attended the meetings like they are supposed to there would be no need for the extra work tracking their attendance.

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:35:00 -0500

At the debate sponsored by the League of Women's Voters held at the Downers Grove Village Hall on 9/24/12. This debate was scheduled many weeks in advance. All candidates were called and emailed, those that did not respond to either received an invitation via certified mail.

Despite all those invitations the incumbent Forest Preserve Commissioner Joe Cantore District 2 was a no show like he is for many Forest Preserve District meetings. Because he was a no show the LWV rules limit the opposition (me) to only 5 minutes to speak about all the issues like:

•The ongoing FBI investigation of our Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

•The extra $50,000+ bonus paid to the FPD Executive Director (Brent Manning) despite the fact that he was in charge during the mismanagement which included a contract for $488,000 that resulted in theft for 6 years and 3 Class X Felonies.

•Their illegal closed door meetings and other issues.

This debate will be shown in Downers Grove on Channel 6 at 7:00PM this Friday 9/28, Saturday 9/29 and Sunday 9/30. FYI if you want to see the debate in your community ask your local community cable TV channel to get a copy of the debate from the Downers Grove Community Channel. They'll send one over to your town's local community channel for free.

SUMMARY: We need all elected officials especially our District 2 Commissioner and all the other Commissioners to answer the questions about these important issues. We need them to participate in the LWV debates and similar debates. I am open to a debate with Joe Cantore and at least one should be held before the election on 11/6/12. If you agree please consider sending a quick email about the need for a District 2 FPD debate to the following email addresses:amanda@patch.com, news@dailyherald.com, letters@tribune.com, letters@suntimes.com, fencepost@dailyherald.com, doingsnews@pioneerlocal.com, QuestPublishing@aol.com, lombardian@sbcglobal.net, publisher@buglenewspapers.com, mcolosimo@mysuburbanlife.com, bsanchez@dailyherald.com and emistretta@dailyherald.com. Please include your name, city/town and phone number which will not be published but will be used to contact you to confirm that you wrote the email.

Thanks again to the League of Women Voters for all their volunteer and nonpartisan work. They have been doing it for 90 years and hopefully will be doing it for another 90! Get more info. here: http://dgwl.il.lwvnet.org/

Make sure that everyone knows that President Pierotti of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is not telling the truth

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 14:21:00 -0500

I have been told to make sure that everyone knows that President Pierotti of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is not telling the truth when he yells at me at a recent meeting of the FPD of DC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAi8tGrF7KI and charges amongst many baseless charges that I only go to meetings to make critical statements. As many know I have been working hard for decades to help protect the trees including the forest preserves, trails and trail users. For example I served as a volunteer as President of the IL Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation for over 7 years and on the organization's board of directors for 9. I am also the ongoing Voluntary Chairman of the Friends of the Great Western Trails. I founded the Friends of the GWTs group and have been leading it for 12 years to the benefit of the trail, trail users and surrounding communities.
In addition there were many different efforts across DuPage County where I participated in and help lead campaigns to protect our natural resources and quality of life in DuPage County. I am proud of all those successful efforts but there is one in particular that I really liked because it resulted in the preservation of a unique part of DuPage County. I started the campaign and called the parcel the "Special 8." The neighbors, trail users and the especially the IL Prairie Path group helped win the fight for the preservation of over 8 acres of unique forest in DuPage County. This property was saved from a proposed development of 46 town homes with a new street crossing on the IL Prairie Path in Glen Ellyn. This land is now the Glacial Ridge Forest Preserve of DuPage County. It is a unique and some say an important part of DuPage County because it was never developed and offers groupings of trees that they do not even have at the Morton Arboretum. Here are some news stories from Chicago Wilderness about this special and very successful effort. Check the Saving Kame article here http://www.chicagowilderness.org/CW_Archives/issues/winter2002/newswild.html
AND check out a report on the success of my leadership in saving this parcel of land http://www.chicagowilderness.org/CW_Archives/issues/spring2005/news/dupagekame.html
Thank you again to all that helped us win and save this parcel!

You are encouraged to pass along this news.

When is the Forest Preserve District's procurement policy from the 80's going to be changed?

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:34:00 -0500

Today 9/11/12, I attended the meeting of the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commission. At the meeting the President and Commissioners stop and go into a closed session for real estate or litigation discussions. Most folks in the audience leave because you never know when the closed session is over. Plus folks need to get to work and do all the things we have to do during a weekday. I stayed around for the end of the closed session. They went back into a regular meeting and discussed their procurement policies which "have not been changed since the 80's" per their attorney. Why can't they have these discussions about any policies before they go into closed sessions so the folks that attend the meeting can learn what is or isn't being done? And how can they have a procurement policy that has not been changed since the 80's?

Note at today's meeting Steve Leopoldo expressed some excellent concerns and ideas during public comment about their "antiquated" (my word) procurement policies.

President Dewey Pierotti of the Forest Preserve District breaking the rules for public comment and decorum.

Sat, 1 Sep 2012 15:57:00 -0500

This video was taken by Steve Leopoldo because the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is one of the last governmental agencies to record and broadcast any meetings. After you see the outburst by President Pierotti this may be why they don't record or broadcast their meetings.

Don Kirchenberg
Candidate for Forest Preserve Commissioner, District 2, DuPage County

Thank you for the support at the FPD of DC meeting!

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:32:00 -0500

Thank you to Jean Range for her nice comments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTgdHqevUU on 8/21 during Public Comment at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commission meeting in support of my public comment on 8/14. Plus I agree with her that if the very generous and dedicated Mr McCormick's name is not used to commemorate the headquarters or a preserve than no one else should get a building or preserve named after them.

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 21:03:00 -0500

At the Public Comment part of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County meeting held on 8/14/12 when Don Kirchenberg was rudely interrupted http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAi8tGrF7KIby by President Dewey Pierotti he did not fall into the trap of Pierotti's false personal attacks. Most importantly President Pierotti and the Commissioners in attendance (Commissioner Cantore, District 2 was absent again) failed again to answer the questions raised by citizens about why they do not ask questions or when they make decisions and only make them known when we read about them in the newspapers.
Thank you to Steve Leopoldo for taking these videos since the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County is one of the last government bodies to not videotape and broadcast their meetings on cable and/or the internet.
We need new ideas and new leadership including newCommissioners to improve the operations of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. Get more info. about efforts to improve the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: www.protectourforestpreserves.org & www.stevefordupage.com
Help 2 Forest Preserve Commissioner candidates (Steve Leopoldo District 3 and Don Kirchenberg District 2) raise monies to get the word out about their campaigns. Please attend their fundraiser on Wednesday, August 22nd at the award winning Emmett’s in downtown Downers Grove. Click here for more info and please pass it along: http://www.hotlist.com/e/Fundraiser-for-a-Better-DuPage-Forest-Preserve-@-Emmett's-Brewing-Co--Downers-Grove-Downers-Grove-United-States/311862145577453

For more info send an email: CitizensforKirchenberg@gmail.com
Or call: 630-853-7650

Sat, 11 Aug 2012 08:41:00 -0500

The Great Western Prairie http://www.epd.org/parks/elmhurst-great-western-prairie.asp in Elmhurst is an original prairie remnant that was left alone because it was between the Chicago Great Western Railway and the Chicago Aurora & Elgin railroad - now the IL Prairie Path. It has been watched over and maintained with the support of the Elmhurst Park District and many volunteers. Keith Olson is the prairie maintenance coordinator and helps the volunteers while letting you know about the different plants.
Here is the information about their schedule for volunteers:

Dear Prairie Restoration Volunteers:
Plan for the scheduled August workday:

Where: In Elmhurst at Berkley Ave. and the Illinois Prairie Path
When: Saturday, August 18 at 9 A.M. (third Saturday)
What: Clearing brush - several types
Weeding - several kinds
Other projects as needed (seed gathering?)

Bring: Work gloves; wear work clothes and sturdy shoes.
Questions? David Price at dprice@epd.org or 630-993-8909
or Keith Olson at keitholson@usa.net or 630-834-7357
Looking ahead, mark Sept. 15 and Oct. 20_________________________________________________
When you are in Elmhurst or on the IL Prairie Path stop and enjoy the prairie. When you have the time try to volunteer and help the prairie.

We need a full investigation and accounting of why these companies get the millions of our tax dollars without a competing bid.

Thu, 2 Aug 2012 22:36:00 -0500

The Commissioners and President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County must be held accountable for their failure to safeguard our tax dollars. When I attend meetings I don't hear many questions if any while many millions of our taxes are spent and sent to companies that are awarded single bid contracts. We need a full investigation and accounting of why these companies get the millions without a competing bid. Here is the big news about the FBI's investigation of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120802/news/708029745/

Here is a better suggestion... More evening meetings!

Thu, 5 Jul 2012 19:24:00 -0500

The Forest Preserve District of DuPage County has only 4 evening meetings a year. Here is their annual meeting schedule of the meetings usually held on a Tuesday at 9:00 am when most people have to be at work: http://www.dupageforest.com/AboutUs/Commission/Meetings/Schedules/2012_Meeting_Notices.html

Their last evening meeting was on Valentines day evening (yes Valentines day) when most folks have scheduled events with family and loved ones. Why would they have an evening meeting one of the only 4 they schedule a year on the evening of Valentine's Day? Ask them. Cynics have suggested that they held the evening meeting on the evening of Valentine's Day as a way to hold down attendance. That is as good a suggestion as any but here is a better suggestion there should be many more than 4 evening meetings held every year!

And the Commissioners along with President Pierotti should begin videotaping and broadcasting their meetings on the web and cable TV like the DuPage County Board and most local municipalities have done for years.

Hand out of Hundreds of Thousands of our tax dollars!

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:32:00 -0500

I congratulate and support the efforts of Steve Leopoldo and Dennis Clark both candidates for Forest Preserve Commissioner in their efforts to get the truth around the handout of hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars.

Here is their important press release which raises questions about how and why our current Commissioners allow for these activities and approved the Memo of Understanding at the meeting I attended with out any questions or discussions. Either the Commissioners had a meeting away from the public which would be illegal or they don't bother to deal with a give away of hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DuPage Forest Preserve Executive Director Exits District with Golden Parachute
Wheaton, IL – June 25, 2012 – Executive Director Manning’s sudden retirement came as a shock to the DuPage Forest Preserve and its President, Dewey Pierotti, as indicated in statements released by the Forest Preserve shortly after Manning’s retirement was formally announced.

Manning’s abrupt retirement after renewing his contract in late 2011 sparked the interest of Commissioner Candidates Steven Leopoldo (District 3) and Dennis Clark (District 5). Through Freedom of Information Act requests, they uncovered a memo of understanding between Manning and the District, outlining a generous severance package.

DuPage Forest Preserve President Pierotti signed the memo dated May 17 and it was approved as a non-public document by the Board of Commissioners on June 5. Manning is to receive a severance package of four months’ salary based on his annual salary of $165,000, all of his accrued vacation, sick and holiday benefits, and health and dental benefits through August.

A request was made by both Clark and Leopoldo to view Manning’s letter of resignation. The official response from the District’s Freedom of Information officer, Linda Klett, was that, “The District has no such records. Mr. Manning did not submit an official letter of resignation.” The Executive Director’s employment contract requires a 90 days’ written notice in order to be entitled to severance benefits. The May 17 memorandum of understanding terminated Manning’s contract on June 15.
Reviewing the memorandum, Leopoldo stated, “It is unfair, unnecessary, and an unethical act to force taxpayers to foot the bill for Manning’s retirement package, in particular because it seems as if he was encouraged to resign.”

A curious provision in the memo of understanding also releases Manning and the District from legal repercussions from their actions.

Manning’s early retirement announcement on May 18 coincided with the District informing the public it would not abide by the Illinois Attorney General’s request to release records detailing payments made to Alamach Technologies, Inc. The payment records indicate how nearly a half of a million dollars were authorized by the District in the alleged scheme to defraud taxpayers.

On June 22 the District’s Freedom of Information Officer informed requestors that the Forest Preserve attorney moved to have the DuPage Circuit Court order signed to bar release of the documents. The motion making the request was sealed from public view, an extraordinary legal process to prevent the release of public information.
Speaking about the sealed documents, Clark said, “It is not hard to connect the dots. We won’t rest until the truth is out.” Clark further stated, “If Manning’s performance deserves a generous severance package, then why is a provision included in the memo of understanding that he can never again work for the District?”
Leopoldo and Clark stated that they are continuing to pressure the District to release information on how the Forest Preserve District is spending taxpayer dollars and are seeking further support of the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
###

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 15:11:00 -0500

The citizens living in the 2nd District in DuPage County are very lucky to have dedicated individuals (like Mark, Julie, MaryLynn, Kim, Coco) and the law firm of Donner and Co. (Wheaton, IL) who will take the extra time to attend last's Friday (6/22/12) hearing at the DuPage County Election Commission. Their testimony and participation in the hearing on the challenge of my right to be on the ballot helped support a fair, open and legal election. The fact that my candidacy was being supported which kept me on the ballot was the proverbial "icing on the cake." Thank you again to the hundreds of citizens that signed my nominating petitions, the volunteer petition passers and the notaries involved for supporting the idea that new ideas and people should be considered in the important operations of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

Palatine Council members see the light on really reducing government costs! Maybe we can do it in DuPage County at the Forest Preserve District?

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:16:00 -0500

This is very good news http://palatine.patch.com/articles/palatine-council-members-opt-out-of-pension?ncid=newsltuspatc00000001#comments_list and it is exactly what the DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioners should do because their current pay of $50,000+ per year with full benefits and a pension at an estimated total cost of $110,000 to an annual salary is way too much money for an estimated 1,000 hours of work a year. Their salary should be only $25,000 a year!

Vote for Kirchenberg for Commissioner Tuesday 11/6/12

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:57:00 -0500

I am very pleased to announce that I filed my candidacy paperwork on Monday, June 4, 2012 with petitions totaling 248 signatures (that is 96 more than the required 152)! Thank you to everyone that supported the challenge to get all these signatures in a very short time.

I am very flattered to have been nominated and supported by hundreds of citizens across DuPage County to be placed on the ballot. I accept their challenge to make important changes to the operation of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County.

For many years I have worked as a volunteer to protect our forest preserves, trees, wildlife and trails in DuPage County. As the Forest Preserve Commissioner serving District 2 I will work to protect our forest preserves and protect our tax dollars. I will:

ü Stop contracts going to single bidders.

ü Not accept any campaign donations from any companies doing business with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County- FPD of DC.

ü Work to reduce the annual salary of the Part-Time Commissioner position from their current pay of $50,000+ per year with full benefits and a pension at an estimated total cost of $110,000 to an annual salary of only $25,000 per year.

ü Will not ask for or support any family members to become employees of the FPD of DC.

ü Encourage more citizens to be involved by holding evening meetings and broadcast all meetings on the internet and cable TV.

I welcome the input and support of all interested citizens so we may inform others of the choice they now have in District 2.

District 2 in DuPage County includes all or parts of Villa Park, Lombard, Elmhurst, Lisle, Oakbrook Terrace, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, Clarendon Hills, Woodridge and Hinsdale. Get an electronic version of the map here: http://www.dupageco.org/CountyBoard/dist2map/

For more information about this important campaign send an email to CitizensForKirchenberg@gmail.com

Don Kirchenberg

630-853-7650

EMAIL: Kirchenberg4ForestPreserves@gmail.com