What's the word on the new Director?? Heard its getting close??

The vote and introduction of the director is scheduled for tonight's meeting.

As much as I know, if it is Dave Harris of Glen Ellyn, he is a down to earth guy. Friends in the Butterfield area think very highly of him. Works hard, customer service oriented and gets the job done.

With due respect, did you go to the meeting to ask questions? I believe in building people, programs and community. Do you? Do you even know Dave Harris and why don't you call him to address your concerns and questions? By the way, the press release states that he is a 19 year resident with a wife and children in our schools and community. Dave Harris should be given the opportunity to work with us and talk to us about our goals and hopes for Glen Ellyn. He should be given the same opportunity to serve and succeed.

Mr. Ackerman,
While every person has the right to their own opinion, as I have stated before, we are in a community that should be working together. Acrimony and finger pointing about someone or something we know nothing about is unethical and wrong. Many assumptions are made in your statements. We should be talking, working together, fixing and moving forward. Glen Ellyn should not be about bitterness and nastiness, but about working together. This constant tearing people down and apart does absolutely nothing for our village, our residents and their families. What are we teaching and modeling for our children? We put our faith and support into our votes and, at some point, you have to trust the process. We also have to trust people who work hard and care about the community.

Clamato,
Thank you for your thoughtful response noted above. It takes courage to move forward in a productive and positive manner and I believe/hope our Village has that.

A letter also sent this AM to the Board President, Melissa Creech--

Dear Ms. Creech -

Congratulations on an excellent choice for our new executive director! I look forward to Mr. Harris working with our community and improving our park district. I have researched Mr. Harris on-line and within the community and have found his community involvement, experience and foresight in his former and current positions to be exemplary and just what Glen Ellyn needs. My children have been fortunate enough to have Mr. Harris as a coach within the Glen Ellyn Park District. He taught them not only skills, but sportsmanship, with encouragement. All of his teams played with joy because of his leadership and involvement. These skills do not disappear when directing a staff and I look forward to this improvement as well. I beg to differ with “ackerman”, I believe integrity is all we will get with Mr. Harris. We do, as a community, need to demand the best from our community leaders and officials. We need to monitor their promises, help guide goals and expect the best. I believe we will benefit from Mr. Harris’ experience.

Thank you for thinking of Glen Ellyn and making this choice!

Did anyone talk to employees ( not Admin ) of Highland Park PD, Just Sayin....

Ontario,
What are you saying exactly? I am hoping against hope that it is positive, as I only found positives with a little research. Someone, and it escapes me who, posted a page with Dave Harris' public business profile on linkedin. It is now gone out of good judgement. But, if you look at his job history on his public profile on linkedin.com, there are (at least) five references from former coworkers/employees. If it helps you, look at the job history for where they attached the references. Additionally, I would believe that Ackerman is right and the Board asked for more than 1 or 2 references. In this day and age, I would ask for bunches (including character references-i.e. did business with, great guy, ethics etc.). Given the Board and the head hunting firm hopefully did due diligence, perhaps you (personally) should converse with them OR Dave Harris himself with your questions. Also, from my many years in management, you do have difficult situations that may or may not work out exactly as everyone would hope. Making difficult decisions is a part of being an effective manager and, unfortunately, can make for bad apples or sour grapes whatever the phrase is. So, if you are implying anything but the positive-what is your motive? What is your agenda? If it is slander and defamation, please know that in this day and age, everyone can find out who is who on blogs, postings etc. That is including finding out who I am or anyone else. Defaming a person or slandering or implying either of those is a character trait that no one should have or be proud to have. If slander was meant in your innuendo, how are your statements helping anyone in this community move forward? How does it help a person who is effective in what they do to get the job done-which is providing, strengthening the services offered by the PD for it's citizens. As I said, I hope that you are asking the question as a positive.

Call me Ms. Apathetic on this issue, but as has been said many times in many situations on this board, "You have to learn from the past to move forward, otherwise, you are doomed to repeat the failure"

Questioning the decision of the current "fiscally responsible" Board on their choice of Director is not slander. Personally, any whiff of inpropriety, would have automatically taken a candidate out of my shortlist of potential hires. Considering the vitriol that was hung on the previous Board members for expenditure issues, I was surprised this candidate was even considered; and at double his current salary.

Lola,
By posting on a blog, that alone would indicate you are not apathetic. That would indicate a vested interest of some sort. People that don't care or are apathetic do not respond to vehicles like the GEBB, articles etc. That aside, we chose to live in Glen Ellyn because we thought the citizens were caring, mid-western sorts. Down to earth etc. I believe the innuendos tied to character etc. towards any one is terrible and completely not what I would expect from our community. As a concerned citizen, I have been reading articles, postings etc. Nothing indicates he is making double his last salary (which the Tribune had noted incorrectly). Additionally, based upon what I have been made aware of with other's research or simple reading of articles (look at Glen Ellyn Patch, Maria's posting), you are comparing a starting salary at last place of employment versus what the person most likely is making now. The "double his current salary" is a completely false statement that you probably could verify. As a person who has been a manager and worked with a huge spectrum of employees (CEO to entry level), I would never make assumptions about anyone without verifying information, checking the facts etc. From what I know, Dave Harris was not politically connected to any one. He was hired based on ability (looking at credentials) and passion for his industry and community.He is a human being with a family who should, again, be given the opportunity to prove himself to us, his constituents.

CC of GE Seems your undies are in a bundie. I have no agenda. Just sayin... you can get all the good references you want from higher ups. That may be because you are great and do a great job, or you are less than great and they want to get rid of you. If you talk to the employees that work under someone, you may hear things that don't surface in references. Watch Undercover Boss and see what Executives learn by talking to the workers. I'm just stimulating conversation. By your posts I'd question your agenda as the "defender of all". The comment of finding out who I am.... Childish!

Ontario,
Unfortunately, my family is addicted to TV, hulu, dvr, so I am well aware of Undercover Boss. You are right that bosses and employees/coworkers will give you insight. Thankfully we have the ability to find, if we look, references etc. on convenience driven technology like linkedin. Also, any person hiring has the ability to obtain, research etc. references provided. Regardless of all of that, I have been shocked by how aggressive people are in our community over the last few years in trying to tear people down versus build up. I have worked in corporate and worked in academia and have never seen people get so negative and willing to tearing each other up and down. I have volunteered for our community over the course of many years and, again, not seen such manipulation. My agenda is this 1) Our community needs to move on, away from the issues of the past and forward to a future that is a better place for all of us, especially our kids. 2) That we put politics aside and work with those who we voted in, support, discuss, have discourse with them about our ideas, their thought processes etc. 3) That we all act like adults in the endeavors noted in 1 and 2. 4) Based upon the facts of what Dave Harris has achieved and friends I have in Butterfield, we know what he has achieved and what he is capable of. We believe that he was a great choice for this position and will do a great job. What I was saying wasn't childish, it is a fact.Whatever we post anywhere, at any time is traceable. The convenience of technology is also the curse.

Ackerman,
Unfortunately, I don't have time to respond! I am running out the door. In the shortest answer possible with the time I have available, community is how each individual defines it, bigger picture (state) or to the smallest degree by neighborhood. To be perfectly honest, I've been rather selfishly insulated within the context of our village and, more specifically, anything that touches my children. Family and a sense of community have been my lifeline. When moves have been discussed within our family for career purposes etc., we have struggled with the idea of leaving Glen Ellyn. There are so many positives to build on for our future is what fuels my passion.

Ackerman,
I agree with you about discourse! The few people I know in politics and positions of authority in governmental agencies/school districts have been willing to listen/talk. I don't always get the changes that I hope for, but there is discourse and conversation. A mutual respect develops and, hopefully, creates an environment of moving forward. I respect anyone who goes to meetings, respectfully and nonjugementally puts forth their thoughts with factual support etc.. Especially in this day and age of running around with no time to get involved. What I believe we all struggle with is when there is no listening on the other party's part, assumptive arrogance, misguided activism and complacency. I also believe that individuals need to learn to work as a team, moving forward the public agenda responsibly.I believe we have to allow our new PD Board to work towards that. The past few years were difficult for everyone on that Board, I imagine. We need to give people the opportunity to prove themselves. You, obviously have alot to say about many different subjects. I am not saying that what you believe or feel is unfounded (on many of these topics I don't know enough) and believe that talking to the individuals involved is critical to being constructive and understanding/communicating your concerns. If you are doing that, it is more than what many people do.

quote:

DWC-Dupage Water Commision-still looking for that $40 MILLION.

Make that $69 million, Admiral.

My family and I know the Harris family. I am confident Mr. Harris will do a fine job. If you have questions or concerns, you should just ask him and not fling mud! Can't we all just get along?

I disagree.

I disagree, too! I thought the donkey was cute and creative!