Asking For Your Vote Again...

Hard to believe that one year ago, I was asking the people of Lake in the Hills to vote for me to join the Village Board of Trustees. They heard, voted and I now represent them. Something tells me this time around it will be just a tad bit harder - but not impossible!

Voting opened at midnight at www.refresheverything.com for the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project where Pepsi will award grants of $5 - 250K to bring ideas to life across six areas, health, arts and culture, food and shelter, the planet, neighborhoods and education. Click hereto vote for my project.

Over at my other blog you may have heard me ranting lately about my idea to start a movement to change the way we look at relationships; to enable all people to be relationally healthy. Well - the time has come for your help. My idea - RELATIONSHIPS MATTER NOW is up for vote in the health category and we need to end up in the top ten to secure the $5K grant by the end of February.

WHY SHOULD I VOTE FOR RELATIONSHIPS MATTER NOW?

Great question, it's simple. We live on this planet interdependent on others. From a brief transactional relationship at the coffee counter to our co-workers where ever we choose to lend out talent to our deep and personal relationships, we all interact and co-habit this planet with others. And from the looks of the way we deal with one another (think current political climate, divorce rates, verbal intimidation in the workplace) - it is time for a change.

Relationships Matter Now will exist (with or without the Pepsi grant) to help people take proactive care of their relationships. We will raise visibility to the need for relational wellness in every one's life. Relational wellness is taking responsibility to proactively care for all relationships in your life. It's a two-fold proposition:

1. Self-awareness - we all need a true understanding of our own relational issues and needs.

2. Relationship skills - we all need to build the skills necessary to function in healthy relationships.

Out of the gate - we want to build the web home for Relationships Matter Now and get 50,000 people to pledge to work on their relationships. Over the next week you will be directed to a new blog to support this effort and it will live at RelationshipsMatterNow.com. I've got an awesome designer working on a logo and we are getting the pledge document created as we speak.

Clearly with the help from Pepsi - we can get this going sooner rather than later. Long term, Relational Wellness will be in the health care debate - it's not just about reactionary care - proactive care is critical - from all angles - physical, mental, spiritual and now, relational. There is a personal responsibility to this as well as a corporate one. Relationships Matter Now will lead this movement and we need your help.

Join me, Lake in the Hills (and anyone you know - we can spread the word thru the county, state and country) and vote for this idea to get one of the first Pepsi Refresh Everything Grants. Voting started at midnight and goes until February 28. Winners will be announced on March 1.

Small Wind Energy Code Passes

Last Thursday night, the Lake in the Hills Village Board of Trustees passed measures to allow Small Wind Turbines in the village in both a residential and commercial capacity.

I, for one, am pleased with this decision. I am proud of how the Planning and Zoning Commission so carefully considered this and came to a solution that included input from village residents. At the November 16 public hearing, there were several residents in attendance. One resident gave some great advice to include graphics in the ordinance and code to alleviate misinterpretations in the future. The final draft of the ordinance and code included this advice.

You will be able to review all the updates on the village website shortly.

Technology will force the village to keep a close watch on this because the wind turbines will surely be updated and change as quickly as iPod music players. It is a good precedent that we are forward thinking about how to introduce this type of energy saving measures into our village. Due to costs ($800 - $1,500 starting costs for small turbines w/o installation) a low level of interest in our area, I do not expect to see these going up on many homes right away, however, it is something that I see gaining momentum in the future as people become more educated on the subject.

For now - we have measures in place to address any residential or commercial needs for Small Wind Energy Systems.

2010 - The Year to Get You More Engaged!

Those who know me best, know that I do not make New Year's Resolutions.

Not sure why, but long ago I decided to never make new year's resolutions. It seems to me like resolutions lacked the plan to make them happen.

Dictionary says resolution is "the act or process of resolving" or "the act of determining"

Instead, I've made objectives each year.

Dictionary says objective is "something toward which effort is directed; an aim, goal or end of action"

That is more like for me - while the "plan" isn't necessarily spelled out - just by definition, there is much more action in objectives versus resolutions.

When I was formulating my 2010 objectives (see my other blog here if you are interested), it occurred to me that I didn't really list anything related to my post with the Village of Lake in the Hills. If I am honest - I think I will spend most of my time in 2010 continuing to listen carefully and learn more and more about how to best serve Lake in the Hills. But my Type-

A personality would have none of that vague, squishy, non-measurable mumbo jumbo.

So here is my one objective for my role as Village Trustee: Get residents more involved, more engaged in our local government.

Tall order, huh?

Here's how I plan to measure my success...

1. Get more people to come to my quarterly coffee talks. I had one non-press attendee at the last one in September so I have nowhere to go but up from there. My next one will be held at Einstein Bagels on Saturday Feb 27 at 9:00 am. As before, I will be treating anyone who wants to come out and chat to coffee - nothing fancy - just good old fashioned coffee. I'll have no agenda - I'll just come ready to hear whatever is on the minds of residents who care to come. Of course, I'll give you reminders over the next 8 weeks until the meeting.

2. Blog more about happenings at the Committee of the Whole and Board meetings. Since people don't seem to ever make time to come out - I will do a better job of alerting you to issues that we will be discussing and encourage you to show up or at the very least ask your opinion on them. This worked pretty well as it related to the Commercial Parking issue - I had several residents contact me with opinions leading up to that meeting. I appreciated that and believe we need more.

3. Encourage volunteer opportunities within the Village. I am working with a recreation specialist that I met at the Illinois Municipal League conference on putting together a workshop on how entities can engage more volunteers to meet their needs. I am convinced that more people would get involved in the community if they are a. invited or b. alerted to a need that they may be able to meet.

So there you have it. Thanks for tuning in and we'll be in touch more often in 2010.

Commercial Vehicle Parking Study Committee Meets and Dissolves in One Night

Monday night, the Commercial Vehicle Parking Study Committee met to discuss the commercial vehicle parking in residential areas. It was an interesting experience and one that I am proud to have participated in positively.

The public meeting had no attendees besides other trustees; However, I want to acknowledge the citizens who contacted me with their opinions about the subject before the meeting. I was very impressed to have received two emails and one call regarding this issue. I am certain that forums such as this blog encouraged this interaction. Thanks to you who wrote and I hope it serves as motivation to others to get involved, let me know what you're thinking on topics we tackle as well as anything that's on your mind.

I believe we came to a conclusion that best serves our community at large.

Essentially, we are amending our zoning code to allow commercial vehicles with D plates that are no taller than 9 feet to be parked in residential areas (driveways). Additionally, we are limiting the type of trailers that can be parked in residential areas to TA plates (3000 lb capacity) with TB and TC plates on a call-in basis limited to approximately 5 days per year. Further details and exact language will be available at our first January Committee of the Whole meeting on January 12.

The discussion was healthy and civil. It was tough to work through a few compromises, but I am proud of every member of the committee and honored to have worked alongside them.

One thing I realized during this experience is the importance of thinking for the greater good. We live in an era that is so very consumed with individual rights. I've heard it said that the late 60s kicked off the "Me" generation - if that is the case then I don't even know how to describe where we are today.

It is imperative to listen to all point of views and look at how what we do affects the entire community. Then, we are charged with moving forward toward solutions that serve the greater community best.

Are we going to satisfy everyone, every time?

Not a chance.

So the Commercial Vehicle Parking Study Committee accomplished what it set out to accomplish - discuss and bring closure an on-going parking issue in the village.

Commercial Vehicle Parking - Open Your Mouth - GET RECRUITED

Two citizens and myself did just that a few weeks back and now we are all on a committee to investigate how to best approach the Commercial Vehicle Parking situation in Lake in the Hills.

Essentially, we have had three citizens in a three month period come before the board regarding commercial vehicle parking.

The first citizen, a few months back, came to us because of his D plated licensed truck getting ticketed for overnight parking in his driveway. At the time, I was uneasy with the thought that we could be limiting employment options for anyone based on the plate of their truck. I read the ordinance and offered a suggestion to the citizen but really left this issue alone. I will stress that while I felt uneasy, it did not occur to me, then, that this could be a bigger problem.

Fast forward to the November 9 Committtee of the Whole meeting...

On this night, two citizens came before the board. One with a similar issue to the previously covered issue of a D plated truck and citations and then an opposing view - about the lack of limitations on commercial vehicle parking. The citizen cited trailers, snow plows and other commercial vehicles or accessories that were being stored in driveways.

On this night - it hit me. We have a problem.

You see, in my view - one person is probably representative of a broader issue that may or may not be chronic. Three people within 10 weeks is definitely a bigger issue.

We don't see very many citizens at Committee of the Whole or Board meetings. I can probably tell you each citizen who has been before us since I was sworn in in May and their concern WITHOUT looking at the minutes because it has been so few.

With three people in ten weeks on the same issue, it is apparent that is much bigger than we realize and must be investigated. So I am glad I opened my mouth.

Check out an article covering the Nov 9 meeting: First Electric Newspaper

Here is where you come in... We will meet on Dec 14 at 6:00pm at Village Hall and I want to know if you or someone you know in Lake in the Hills has an opinion on Commercial Vehicle Parking.

Are you a contractor who has had to park elsewhere due to tickets on you D-plated vehicle?

Do you just get sick and tired of seeing commercial vehicles parked on your block?

Leave a comment.

Email me at dbarreto@lith.org

Speak up. The committee is formed so you have no fear of being recruited :)

Wind Energy Part Two - Dec 14

After a lively discussion and productive meeting on Monday night, the Planning and Zoning Commission tabled the Small Wind Energy system ordinance until the next meeting on Monday Dec 14, 7:00 pm at Village Hall.

I was impressed that we had three citizens join the discussion and was encouraged by each of their comments. It is interesting, one of the citizens apologized for not being part of the discussion before now. From my point of view - we accept that apology heartily and are glad you are part of the discussion now. I also received feedback from citizens who could not make it. This is local government at its best - when we collaborate to come up with the best solution for the greater good. This is why I ran for office and I am glad to be part of this so soon in my term.

Here are the links to articles related to the issue for your review:

First Electric Newspaper - actual meeting coverage
Northwest Herald - meeting day coverage


So once again - I ask - if this issue is one that you hold a strong opinion on,  one way or another, please come out on Dec 14 and make your voice heard.

See you on the 14th!

Eco-conscious Lake in the Hills Residents Wanted - Nov 16

If you are an eco-friendly  Lake in the Hills resident interested in making your voice heard - please come to the Public Hearing Scheduled Monday November 16 at 7:30 at Village Hall.

Details about the meeting can be seen here.

Essentially, our board is being asked to amend text to our local zoning ordinance related to Small Wind Energy Systems and this is the public forum to give us your views.

It is the 9th anniversary of my 29th birthday and I will be there to hear your views! Come and join me!