Took my kid for a walk around town... trying to figure out my favorite part. Was it:

1) The dog crap whole and/or smeared all over the sidewalk in front of Chins?
2) The bums smoking in front of Starbucks as multiple police cars drive by?
3) The pure joy of sitting in Starbucks while a) One bum has all of his filthy laundry stuffed in the space between the front tables and the window or b) the bum showing his "nunchuck" skills with the stirring sticks?

or was it?

4) The older homeless guy who turned in what looks to be a slim jim to a cop waiting for the train to pass, then the younger homeless guy running to the cop car to tell his side of the "story"?
6) The mounds of cigarrettes in front of Starbucks and the Santa Fe/Shannons cooridor?
7) The copious amounts of garbage strewn around town?
8) The overturned dumpster with garbage spread everywhere on Pennsylvania next to the carpet store?

or:

9) The bums eating garbage in front of old folks home on Forest, sitting in the seniors benches so that they can't come out to enjoy the nice weather?
10) The guy with the long beard and hair who stares at every reasonably attractive woman/girl that walks buy?

Ahhhh....another day in paradise, and another enjoyable walk with my 3 yr old.

A tad frustrated? Feeling abandoned by your village government and local law enforcement? I feel your pain, especially after paying as much as I do in property tax. I must have called 911 a dozen times last year in relation to the homeless sleeping in the parks overnight. I've already spoken to village officials about enforcing ordinances in relation to this specific problem. I was told that the current ordinance on the books is unconstitutional and that they will not discourage anyone from sleeping in the parks overnight in fear of being sued. If they won't roust the bums from sleeping in the parks, there is no way they are going to enforce a no smoking ordinace against them. This is what angers me. I mean, why even put the God damn tags on the benches? If it were you or I smoking on the bench, we'd probably be fined. Wait til the weather warms up a bit, its going to be a free for all.

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:
A tad frustrated? Feeling abandoned by your village government and local law enforcement? I feel your pain, especially after paying as much as I do in property tax. I must have called 911 a dozen times last year in relation to the homeless sleeping in the parks overnight. I've already spoken to village officials about enforcing ordinances in relation to this specific problem. I was told that the current ordinance on the books is unconstitutional and that they will not discourage anyone from sleeping in the parks overnight in fear of being sued. If they won't roust the bums from sleeping in the parks, there is no way they are going to enforce a no smoking ordinace against them. This is what angers me. I mean, why even put the God damn tags on the benches? If it were you or I smoking on the bench, we'd probably be fined. Wait til the weather warms up a bit, its going to be a free for all.

I tried calling 911 a few times as well. Especially when they were hanging in front of the seniors home or on an older neighbor's lawn... but they just come back and the cops/village won't do anything about it.

Unfortunately, on Thursday evenings and Sunday evenings... the homeless and the village wins, the residents and the shopkeepers lose.

Don't blame the CBD for the bums. . . They come for the pads progams offered by Grace Luthern Church. The CBD is just a convient place to hang out between hand-outs. I wonder if TBS will address the impact of the bums relative to commerce? I for one know I keep my cash tucked away when walking down crescent!

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:
Don't blame the CBD for the bums. . . They come for the pads progams offered by Grace Luthern Church. The CBD is just a convient place to hang out between hand-outs. I wonder if TBS will address the impact of the bums relative to commerce? I for one know I keep my cash tucked away when walking down crescent!

Although I don't disagree with you on your point, but it is 1st Congregational Church on Forest that houses PADS. Don't be dissin my good Lutheran neighbors.

I recall a time as recently as a few years back when I seemed to be the only one willing to point out the Emperor's new clothes. Good to see that I have company and that I wasn't crazy.

BTW, my eldest son step in that very pile of poop yesterday around 4-4:30 PM.

Like many Glen Ellyn realtors, I am getting in the habit of diverting friends and family from the CBD. The empty storefronts are one thing. Most towns have them. Even Hinsdale. But the utter filth and amazing amount of interesting characters has me freaked out.

Kudos to Vicky Hase and Curt Barret who we know read these threads yet do nothing to get the proper people to clean the mess up. Idiots.

You folks miss the big picture. If everything were hunky dory, then how could we appreciate the tremendous improvement sure to result from the new consult?

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Herbold:

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:
Don't blame the CBD for the bums. . . They come for the pads progams offered by Grace Luthern Church. The CBD is just a convient place to hang out between hand-outs. I wonder if TBS will address the impact of the bums relative to commerce? I for one know I keep my cash tucked away when walking down crescent!

Although I don't disagree with you on your point, but it is 1st Congregational Church on Forest that houses PADS. Don't be dissin my good Lutheran neighbors.

First Con only hosts on Sunday nights. Someone else hosts on Thursdays...

Good God!! I just had a thought! I hope that poop my son stepped in really did originate from a dog.

Just tell us he wasn't wearing those flip flops.......

I am baffled as to the business owners who can't be bothered to clean the sidewalks in front of their establishment. The worst offender is that friendly neighbor, Starbucks. There is no excuse for the condition of the sidewalk (garbage, cigarette butts, leaves) in front of their store. There are fast food chains whose managers would get written up by supervisors if their sidewalks and parking lot looked like the front of Starbucks. And they pay the expense of washing and scrubbing their sidewalks in the summer.

Perhaps they should close one day for three hours, and teach the partners/associates/whatever they are called how to clean. All you Reaganites out there - that's responsibility. Forget the government.

Grace Lutheran hosts on Thursdays. Seen it with my own eyes. Plus its on PADS' calendar.

I also love how they have changed their website. They now have a section entitled "Could you spot the homeless in DuPage County? They offer 4 photos, head shots only. Simply ingenious on their part, also IMO, very misleading.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:
Good God!! I just had a thought! I hope that poop my son stepped in really did originate from a dog.

That was actually the first thing that popped into my mind when I read that post. That is pretty sad.

With the warm weather this/these problem/s will only be exacerbated.

I recall being subjected to a vagrant conducting his personal grooming on a beautiful fall day last year in the Prairie Path Park. The youngest child was with me as we saw a lot more of this guy than we wanted. The child said, "Well, you don't see that every day." Unfortunately, it is getting to the point that we do.

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
I am baffled as to the business owners who can't be bothered to clean the sidewalks in front of their establishment.

Why should businesses have to clean the sidewalks? It's not as tho they own them! Next thing you'll have them plowing the streets...

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
I am baffled as to the business owners who can't be bothered to clean the sidewalks in front of their establishment.

Why should businesses have to clean the sidewalks? It's not as tho they own them! Next thing you'll have them plowing the streets...

How about this - - - We hire the homeless to clean the sidewalks? All the village needs is to get some of those little dust pans on a stick and a few brooms and two problems taken care of!! Maybe they could have little tip jars and not even be on the official payroll. Win- win!!

I've been writing about this problem for 4+ years on this site. No one from the Village gives a ****....so I've stopped caring. The business owners don't care enough to clean the **** up in front of the stores, the Village doesn't care enough to clean the **** up off the sidewalk, the Village doesn't give a **** to enforce their panhandling and loitering ordinances, so why the hell should I give a ****?

I'll just shop in Lombard or Oak Brook or somewhere else.....really, it's no skin off my back.

Curt Barrett and others - well done. No, it's not cyclical...it's a result of ineptitude and a total and complete failure to pay attention to details.

It would be interesting to FOIA - "And and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mails, or correspondence of any kind between any individual, employed by the Village of Glen Ellyn and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mail, or correspondence of any kind between Village of Glen Ellyn trustees or boards and the any individual employed by the Village of Glen Ellyn and and and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mails, or correspondence of any kind between any individual, employed by the Village of Glen Ellyn and merchants and property owners and any and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mail, or correspondence of any kind between Village of Glen Ellyn trustees or boards and merchants and property owners concerning the maintenance, cleaning, upkeep and beautification of the public ways in and around the Central Business District."

Wouldn't it be something, and certainly not unexpected, if the response came back with "nothing."

I know I've told the story about how, at my booksigning about a year ago, held at The Bookstore, which was packed with friends, family, many out of towners, more than a few who walked from the store to what was then The Firkin for the party were panhandled by one of our resident "guests."

It was embarrassing, naturally. Not something I was proud of - especially as I went out of my way to bring some business to the CBD, because frankly, it would have been better for me professionally to hold that signing at Anderson's in Naperville, and was urged to do so by people at my publishing house, but I resisted, because I wanted to thank the Bookstore for what they've done for me.

That's what I get for being a GE Booster!

quote:

Originally posted by Dinsdale:

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:
I am baffled as to the business owners who can't be bothered to clean the sidewalks in front of their establishment.

Why should businesses have to clean the sidewalks? It's not as tho they own them! Next thing you'll have them plowing the streets...

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Posted March 13, 2008 10:20 AM RE: A Village of "No" First


Dinsdale
GlenEllynite

As I've made clear in the past, I have an extremely low opinion of anyone who fails to timely shovel their walks - especially when they live in an area with heavy pedestrian traffic near a school or commuter station.

But I think we're losing track of the spirit of the OP which was - shouldn't the attitude be to seek a solution, instead of everyone immediately trying to defend their lack of responsibility?

Also, someone is going to be pissed whatever the solution.
Here are a couple of possibilities:
-A village ordinance requiring everyone to shovel their walks.
-A village ordinance requiring that homeowners within a certain distance of schools shovel their walks.
-The village clears sidewalks for a certain distance around schools.

I could imagine being satisfied with any of these solutions - but I know SOMEONE would bitch about any of them. Do we let the fact that someone is going to complain about whatever is done prevent us from taking any action?

I also wouldn't object to a website posting pictures of homes where lazy sacks of shite who refuse to shovel, as well as names and addresses.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Dinsdale

According to you a business doesn’t have to remove objectionable things from in front of its’ store because it doesn’t own the sidewalk

but a private citizen has to remove objectionable things from in front of their house even though they don’t own the sidewalk. You speak

with forked tongue kimosabe. Which way do you want it? We all clean our government owned sidewalks or we don’t. Only one choice to a

customer. Snow/ice/gum/trash/cigarette butts, etc. is's all objectionable on any sidewalk.



I personally stopped going to the downtown Starbucks and venture out to Rossevelt Road to enjoy a cleaner venue.

quote:

the Village doesn't care enough to clean the **** up off the sidewalk, the Village doesn't give a **** to enforce their panhandling and loitering ordinances, so why the hell should I give a ****?

You are exactly right. Me, like a dumb a$$ thought that maybe, just maybe they might give a $hit. I was told that our police will NOT enforce vagrancy in relation to sleeping in the parks. Supposedly, the ordinace below is unconstitutional and they are afraid of being sued. Yeah right, blow me!

Although, last year some had "good luck" when calling 911 in relation to panhandling. But the problem here is that neither our government or police are pro-avtive. They look the other way, unless someone is complaining. This type of frustration leads to these kinds of threads. It shouldn't be this way. Got to vote em out!

6-2-2.6: VAGRANCY:

The following persons shall be deemed "vagrants":

(A) Abroad At Unusual Hours: One who wanders about the streets, alleys or other public ways or places, or who is found abroad at late or unusual hours in the night without any visible or lawful business and not giving a satisfactory account of himself; or

(B) Begging: One wandering abroad and begging, or who goes about from door to door of private homes or commercial business establishments or places himself in or upon any public way or public place to beg or receive alms for himself; or

(C) Loitering; Police Order To Disperse: It shall be unlawful for any person to loiter, loaf, wander, stand or remain idle, either alone or in consort with others, in a public place in such manner so as to:

1. Obstruct any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building by hindering or impeding or tend to hinder or impede the free and uninterrupted passage of vehicles, traffic or pedestrians.

2. Commit in or upon any public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place or building any act or thing which is an obstruction or interference to the free and uninterrupted use of property or with any business lawfully conducted by anyone in or upon or facing or fronting on any such public street, public highway, public sidewalk or any other public place of buildings all of which prevents the free and uninterrupted ingress, egress and regress therein, thereon and thereto.

When any person causes or commits any of the conditions enumerated in this subsection, a police officer or any law enforcement officer shall order that person to stop causing or committing such conditions and to move on or disperse. Any person who fails or refuses to obey such orders shall be guilty of a violation of this subsection. (Ord. 1738, 9-13-1971)

(D) Unlawful Occupancy: One wandering abroad, and occupying, lodging or sleeping in any vacant or unoccupied barn, garage, shed, shop or other building or structure, or in any automobile, truck, railroad car, or other vehicle without owning the same or without permission of the owner or person entitled to the possession of the same, or sleeping in any vacant lot during the hours of darkness and not giving a satisfactory account of himself; or

(E) Declared Vagrant: One who by law is declared a vagrant, whether embraced in any of the foregoing classifications, or not. (M.C. 1965, Sec. 12.07)

quote:

Originally posted by GE Fan:
I've been writing about this problem for 4+ years on this site. No one from the Village gives a ****....so I've stopped caring. The business owners don't care enough to clean the **** up in front of the stores, the Village doesn't care enough to clean the **** up off the sidewalk, the Village doesn't give a **** to enforce their panhandling and loitering ordinances, so why the hell should I give a ****?

I'll just shop in Lombard or Oak Brook or somewhere else.....really, it's no skin off my back.

Curt Barrett and others - well done. No, it's not cyclical...it's a result of ineptitude and a total and complete failure to pay attention to details.

It would be interesting to FOIA - "And and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mails, or correspondence of any kind between any individual, employed by the Village of Glen Ellyn and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mail, or correspondence of any kind between Village of Glen Ellyn trustees or boards and the any individual employed by the Village of Glen Ellyn and and and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mails, or correspondence of any kind between any individual, employed by the Village of Glen Ellyn and merchants and property owners and any and all notes, memorandums, letters, records, minutes, e-mail, or correspondence of any kind between Village of Glen Ellyn trustees or boards and merchants and property owners concerning the maintenance, cleaning, upkeep and beautification of the public ways in and around the Central Business District."

Wouldn't it be something, and certainly not unexpected, if the response came back with "nothing."

Posts: 4960 | Registered: June 09, 2004....I hate when you lie. You...of all people. Me? I am a natural-born fabricator. Nothing I say should be taken at face value. But when the future of our country...you and your like...start exaggerating, where are we headed?