Today I’m kicking off my campaign for the Village Board. If you’ve read the press coverage or visited the Civic Betterment Party website, you will have seen my name among the slated Village Trustee candidates. This means that I went through the formal interview process and my candidacy was put forward by the Nominating Committee.

As an infrequent poster, but avid reader of the GEBB, I’ve made the transition from my prior id and avatar, following the example of Clamato’s transformation to J.R. Briquette.

You may be wondering who I am. You may know me as Perplexed’s neighbor, as Rob Herbold’s brother-in-law, as a hurricane relief volunteer alongside Candidate or as a downtown clean-up day volunteer. Most of all, you should know me as someone who was born and raised here and wants to give something back to his community.

Since being a Village Board member during “Students Run the Government” day when I was a student at West, I’ve maintained an above average interest in the Board’s activities. Ever since the board meetings have been televised, I have regularly watched them (and this practice has made me the subject of ridicule by my wife and children).

In recent years, on occasion I have felt that the will of the citizens was not being followed by the board. Therefore I pledge that if elected, I will encourage all citizens to express their point of view, either formally before the entire board or directly to me via the GEBB, email or by phone. The decisions I make will be based on selecting the option that will provide the greatest benefit to the citizens.

I look forward to your comments, questions and hope that you will find me worthy of your support. Should you desire to email me, I have posted my email address on my public BB profile.

Whether you choose to support me or not, be sure to participate in the process by attending the Town Hall meeting on Saturday, November 22.

Carl Henninger

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Ted E.,

Carl, you have my support!

Mine as well!

Carl
Why would I not vote for you?

Taxpayer posed a good question and I replied to it in the Upcoming Elections topic.

Candidate – I can’t think of any reasons not to vote for me. Here are a few reasons why you should support me ...

Willing to solicit and consider citizen ideas and concerns √
Solid business and financial/budgeting background √
Integrity √
Not centered around a single issue or agenda √
Not beholden to anyone or any group √
A lifetime investment in the community √

Did I miss any key topics?

Carl,

It would be most excellent if all candidates put themselves out on this board for a little Q&A. Thank you! That being said, what are you thoughts about Public Action to Deliver Shelter? In your opinion, does our Village need to do anything to address the manner in which it conducts business in Glen Ellyn? Or, do you feel all is fine and no change is needed? As a trustee would you support redrawing the village’s loitering and vagrancy laws?

bitterboy – I expected that PADS would come up. I have, in the past, commented about PADS in some of the other threads about them.

I’m a supporter of PADS. My wife and I provide meals for their clients. If my schedule permitted, I’d be an overnight on-site volunteer. I expect that some PADS clients are not deserving of what they receive. I do it for those who have encountered tough times and without PADS would be sleeping in their car or a cardboard box somewhere.

I do believe that the comings and goings of PADS clients do create challenges for the community. I’m saddened that people (justifiably) are reluctant to let their children go to the library at certain times when PADS clients are likely to be hanging out there.

To solve the problem, the logical first step is for the Village Board to acknowledge that there are issues. Following this acknowledgment, the board should identify a group to study the issues and make recommendations as to how they should be solved. I’m not sure that this work would be appropriate for any of the current Village Commissions, so perhaps an ad hoc committee/commission would need to be chartered, for this single purpose.

I hope that you find the opportunity to question the other candidates about this issue.

Carl, First of all, thank you for posting here. Other than meeting you in person, I find this forum extremely helpful.
After reading your bio, I noticed you were born and raised here in Glen Ellyn. I'm not a native of G.E. but continue to be impressed with the number of people who return to live and raise their families here. With that said, Ted has posted the dates for the public involvement in the Downtown Strategic Plan, just wondering, will there be any Glenbard West Students (or even some under the age of 30)involved in that process?
Who knows, we might get some good ideas, and if anybody has a stake in the future of this village, it would be some of the folks who were born and raised here! . . . Just a thought.
But please, would love to hear any comments and or opinions you could offer on the subject of the future planning of Glen Ellyn.
And thank you for your time.

Good answer to a tough question, Carl. Good job.

Carl-Thanks for your response. A committee would be great. though I would be happy with a regular dialogue (once a month) between PADS and GE residents.

For me, the angst comes from the perception that PADS will just do what they please, the locals just have to live with it.

Carl, regarding PADS, assuming the the board acknowledges the problem, and assuming a study group is identfied, what kind of facts do you expect the board will discover, or what questions do think they will answer that will improve the current situation?

quote:

Originally posted by Bastiat:
Carl, regarding PADS, assuming the the board acknowledges the problem, and assuming a study group is identfied, what kind of facts do you expect the board will discover, or what questions do think they will answer that will improve the current situation?

That is an unfair question as you are already assuming there is a solution to the problem. The whole idea of a study group would be to look at the problem from different angles and perspectives and present information that could then be addressed for action if necessary.

You are taking a hot button issue and trying to pigeonhole a candidate into a response that will elicit the most controversey.

I think he has made his position clear on his opinion of PADS as an organization and how he would address the community's issues. What more can he answer?

Rob:

I don't totally agree with that.

A study group could, and likely would, find that:
1. Glen Ellyn has/had an unbalanced burden on hosting PADS nights.
2. Glen Ellyn, due to this, had a shortage of enthusiastic volunteers.
3. Glen Ellyn, due to this, had a shortage of Community support.
4. As a result of #1, #2 & #3, the PADS guests were not provided the level of care that is ideal.
5. That, if we scale back #1 and really do it right on, let's say, one night a week, we could cure #2, #3 & #4.

Just a thought anyways....a study group could find that.

A study group could (and likely) would come to these conclusions. Why ask his assumptions of findings before they are facts?

Better to ask an assumed question such as:

Assuming these findings:
1. Glen Ellyn has/had an unbalanced burden on hosting PADS nights.
2. Glen Ellyn, due to this, had a shortage of enthusiastic volunteers.
3. Glen Ellyn, due to this, had a shortage of Community support.
4. As a result of #1, #2 & #3, the PADS guests were not provided the level of care that is ideal.
5. That, if we scale back #1 and really do it right on, let's say, one night a week, we could cure #2, #3 & #4.

Would he be a proponent of putting forth a solution to address these findings? Would this be a priority for him as a trustee?

I think he has stated he was in favor of researcing the issue, if the community wanted it. But to assume a solution before the facts are in is premature. Isn't this law 101?

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Herbold:
But to assume a solution before the facts are in is premature. Isn't this law 101?

No - Law 101 is develop a conclusion that benefits your client and then present the facts and discovery the facts in the manner best fit to persuade others to come to that same conclusion.

Rob,

Sorry you were bothered by my question to Carl. All I was really asking was: Is there a point to having a study group or are you punting on a tough question. I'm not trying to pigeon hole anybody. It's easy enough for Carl to say that there are real questions that need to be answered and they are best addressed by a study group and then list the questions and let us all decide whether his suggestion of a study group makes sense in light of the questions he identifies. I think that that is an entirely fair and appropriate question.

quote:

Originally posted by JRP:
No - Law 101 is develop a conclusion that benefits your client and then present the facts and discovery the facts in the manner best fit to persuade others to come to that same conclusion.

LOL!
Funny how many folk fail to appreciate this.

Carl,

I'm confused by your stance on PADS.

Are you a supporter of PADS in its current incarnation?

Sorry for the slow responses, I’ve been away from the board for a few days. When I originally posted my response, I was surprised that the first couple of days didn’t generate a slew of follow-up messages, as there has been so much passion demonstrated with regard to PADS on the GEBB.

One of the cornerstones of my campaign is that, should I be elected, I will seek out and thoughtfully evaluate input from the community on any/all issues that come before the Village Board. I will make decisions based on the outcome that I believe will provide the greatest benefit to the citizens. That said, I didn’t move here last week, so I come into this with partially formed opinions on many issues. But, I assure you that I won’t commit to a final position until I’ve had a chance to evaluate all the information that has been collected … from citizens, from Village Commissions and/or staff.

Here’s why I would rather not speculate on any findings or potential solutions to PADS issues. JRP’s first two speculative findings were …

1. Glen Ellyn has/had an unbalanced burden on hosting PADS nights.
2. Glen Ellyn, due to this, had a shortage of enthusiastic volunteers.

What if the study committee came back with …

1. Glen Ellyn has/had an unbalanced burden on hosting PADS nights.
2. Glen Ellyn, taking pride in doing more than it’s fair share to help people in need, has an ample supply of enthusiastic volunteers.

I’m not willing to rule out that either of these could be the findings of a reasonable group of citizens, so speculating on what actions might be appropriate would not be productive. (Please don’t jump to the conclusion that, because I provided the second example, I believe it to be the case any more or less than JRP’s.)

Also, JRP – your Law 101 definition is remarkably similar to that of Sales 101.

Mamattorney – I support what PADS does during the time that their shelters are open. But, as I also stated above, I also believe that their presence in our community creates some challenges.

Finally, as this continues to be a hot topic, I hope that you all find the means to learn where the other candidates stand.

What if anything can the village president do about PADS in the first place. Is this even an issue. You cannot outlaw it correct. Could you have a zoning ordnance in effect that would limit or eliminate it. I think in all honesty your hands are tied on this. Personally I don't understand the problem people have with PADS. I don't think I've heard of any crimes caused by PADS people etc. So I've never gotten what all the fuss is about.