It was very troubling to watch the Niles Trustees’ meeting last week [June 13, 2017] at which the Board voted for the placement of “advisory questions” on the ballots for the next two elections. The six items concerned actions that the Board could take up at any point in time as part of their specific responsibilities as elected officials. For all of their comments over the last four years, it is indeed bizarre that on issues which may cost the tax payers millions of dollars, they refuse to give any specifics. The “questions” contain no plan of action, no budgetary implications or locations which would effect Niles residents…only vague platitudes about how wonderful life can be under their “leadership.”
Most surprising was the admission by Andrew Przybylo that his business was failing because of the economic malaise of 2008, etc. Yet it is this same Andrew who now proposes an “advisory question” for the village’s economic destiny which purports to save current Niles businesses! Physician heal thyself!
People with a political sense of things will clearly realize that putting three advisories on each ballot BLOCKS the ability of residents from submitting their own referendum options. Many realize that this is orchestrated specifically against Citizen Warrior Joe Makula who has been fighting for political equity and openness in government for many years. Many believe that this is yet another attempt to minimize the effectiveness of Joe Makula and to suppress the expression of public sentiment about political trickery. Are we the 51st Ward?
Andrew may go around whistling and skipping along the streets of Niles spreading pixie dust in the hopes that our sleepy hamlet will be transformed into an economic dynamo which will cause thousands to stampede to Niles for homes and business opportunities. He hired a highly paid “economic development coordinator” who apparently cannot operate without some vague “advisory.” The highly paid village attorney told one public commenter that night “Call me” for an explanation. What would be said over the phone in private that can’t be said in public?