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CITY NEWS
The 2013 Town Hall Meeting
The 2013 Darien Town Hall Meeting  -  Keynote Speaker:  Mayor Kathleen Weaver

 

Co-Sponsored by the Darien Committee For Intergovernmental Coordination Committee and Carriage Greens Country Club.

 

The Town Hall Meeting will be held on September 26, 2013 from 7pm to 9pm at Carriage Greens Country Club located at 8700 Carriage Green Drive in Darien. This event is FREE and open to the general public.  Residents will have the opportunity to Meet and Greet the following local Taxing Bodies: Cass School District 63, Center Cass District 66, Darien Chamber of Commerce, Darien Park District, Darien Public Schools District 61, Darien Woodridge Fire District, Hinsdale South High School District 86, Indian Prairie Library and Tri-State Fire District.

 

Mayor Kathleen Weaver is inviting residents to register online and submit questions prior to the event.  To register online click here.

  

The deadline to register and submit questions is September 19.  For more information contact Lynn at 630-353-8101 or ldubman@darienil.gov

 

Annual Crack Sealing Program Under Way

The City is currently completing the annual crack seal program on various city streets. Crack filling is an important road maintenance practice that extends the life of our roads. Filling or sealing pavement cracks to prevent water from entering the base and sub base will extend the pavement life by three to five years. The materials we use are intended to fill the crack and keep most of the water out of the pavement. Water is the most destructive element to our pavements. When water is kept out, pavement deterioration is slowed.  Should you have any questions regarding this program please contact the Municipal Services Department at 630-353-8105.

50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program
The City of Darien is now taking orders for the 2013 Parkway Tree Planting Program. The program is a 50/50 cost share program between the City and the resident. The cost includes the purchase, planting, mulching and one (1) year guarantee of the trees. The planting is tentatively scheduled to begin October 7.
 

Please contact the Municipal Services Department for the 50/50 Parkway Tree Planting Program at 630-353-8105 or e-mail aprueter@darienil.gov for additional information or to place your order. The deadline to order trees is September 27.

Please note, 4-inch caliper trees may be purchased at an additional cost, please call for details.

.

The following trees are available for the Parkways:

 

 

DIAMETER

SPECIES

PLANTED PRICE PER TREE

CITY COST

RESIDENT COST

2.5"

American Linden

$225.00

$112.50

$112.50

2.5"

Norway Maple

$225.00

$112.50

$112.50

2.5"

Honeylocust Skyline

$175.00

$87.50

$87.50

2.5"

Red Maple

$185.00

$92.50

$92.50

2.5"

Chanticleer Pear

$235.00

$117.50

$117.50

2.5"

Freeman Maple

$245.00

$122.50

$122.50

2.5"

Sugar Maple

$225.00

$112.50

$112.50

City Administrator
(630) 353-8114
(630) 852-5000
(630) 971-3999
(630) 852-5000
Mayor
Kathy Weaver
City Clerk
JoAnne Ragona
Treasurer
Michael J. Coren
Ward 1
Ted Schauer
Ward 2
Tina Beilke
Ward 3
Joseph A Kenny
Ward 4
Joerg Seifert
Ward 5
Joseph A. Marchese
Ward 6
Sylvia McIvor
Ward 7
Thomas J. Belczak
City Council Meetings
  
  Monday , September 16 
7:30 p.m.
  
Monday, October 7
7:30 p.m.
Agendas for City and Committee Meetings

The following links will direct you to the City Meeting and Committee agendas and packet information on our website.  Stay informed on City issues and upcoming projects! 
 

All Agendas

City Council Meeting Agenda
View Darien Meetings on YouTube!

You may now view city meetings on YouTube by clickng here.

 

Our user name is DarienCableChannel.  You may still access meetings from the links on our website.

Resident Satisfaction Survey

Can you take a few moments to take our Resident Survey?  Your feedback is important in helping us to continue to make Darien a "Nice Place to Live".  Just click on this link

 

View Darien Police Department Weekly Press Release

You may view the Darien Police Department weekly press release by clicking here

View Chief Brown's Monthly Press Release

You may view the Police Chief's monthly press release by clicking here

Submit an article for Direct Connect

You may submit an article for inclusion in Direct Connect by emailing mwintermute@darienil.gov

 

Private Property Tree Planting Program
The City of Darien is offering residents to take advantage of pricing for planting trees on their private property. The City has selected the The Fields on Caton Farm, Inc. to be the vendor for the 2013 Tree Planting Program and has included contract pricing of various private property tress. The cost includes the purchase, planting, mulching and one (1) year guarantee of the trees. The planting is tentatively scheduled to begin October 7.

 

Please contact Brian or Jason at The Fields on Caton Farm, Inc. for private property tree planting at 815-744-7841 or e-mail bneumann@fieldsnursery.com for additional information or to place your order. Private Property Tree participants will be required to pay the vendor directly.

 

The deadline to order private property trees is September 27.

 

The Following Trees are available for private property planting:

  
  

DIAMETER

SPECIES

RESIDENT COST-PLANTED PRICE

2.5"

American Linden

$225.00

2.5"

Norway Maple

$215.00

2.5"

Honeylocust Skyline

$190.00

2.5"

Red Maple

$225.00

2.5"

Chanticleer Pear

$245.00

2.5"

Aristocrat  Pear

$245.00

2.5"

Swamp White Oak

$225.00

2.5"

Freeman Maple

$225.00

2.5"

Sugar Maple

$225.00

2.5"

Purple Maple

$250.00

2.5"

Northern Red Oak

$290.00

2.5"

Little Leaf Linden

$175.00

Video Gaming Machines Feedback

The State of Illinois passed a law that allows certain businesses that serve alcohol to have video gaming machines, such as video poker.  The businesses must be licensed by the State and comply with a variety of requirements to make sure minors are not able to use them. 

 

The City of Darien has the ability to prohibit these machines, but has allowed businesses to apply for the licenses and has been reviewing the impact on communities that currently have the machines.  A survey of other municipalities conducted by the police department has shown that to date the machines have not resulted in an increase in crime or calls to the police. 

 

The City of Darien is looking for any feedback from residents on whether video gaming should be allowed in Darien.  If you would like to share your thoughts and opinions, please contact Scott Coren, Assistant City Administrator, at (630) 353-8104 or your alderman, a list of which is in the right column of this e-mail.

Coyotes in DuPage County

Coyotes are a permanent fixture in DuPage County's rural, suburban and urban areas. Seeing a coyote cross a field, backyard, road or golf course does not necessarily constitute a problem or dangerous situation, either for humans or domestic animals. Coyotes will be more active and more visible in late-winter/early spring during their breeding seasons. Most coyotes are harmless; their goal is to eat more natural foods such as mice and rabbits. However, coyotes are opportunistic. If coyotes see easy food - such as open garbage- and aren't afraid, they may take advantage. That puts them in direct line for a confrontation with pets. Coyotes are not interested in eating pets, these are territorial disputes. Last summer the Darien Police Department  received 3 reports of small family dogs that were killed by coyotes. Studies have shown that attempts at eliminating all coyotes are not practical, economical or workable. When coyotes are removed others quickly move in.

 

For more information on Coyotes you can visit the DuPage County Forest Preserve District at www.dupageforest.com or the City of Darien at www.Darien.il.us.

 

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS
Downers Grove Recycling Extravaganza
The Village of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Park District will host a Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, September 28, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Village of Downers Grove Public Works Facility, 5101 Walnut Avenue. This event is open to residents of DuPage County and does not include businesses or not-for-profit organizations.

 

Vehicles must enter the Recycling Extravaganza site from Curtiss Street, via northbound Walnut Avenue or Belmont Road. Access from eastbound Curtiss Street and southbound Walnut Avenue will be restricted. Volunteers will direct traffic in the lot and assist customers dropping off their donations.

 

NOTE:  Vehicles must be in line by 1:00 p.m to be served. Vehicles arriving after 1:00 p.m. will be turned away. 

 

For more information please click here.

Darien Park District Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Darien Park District will be holding its next regular meeting on Monday, September 9, 2013.  The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.  

High School District 86 Board Meetings

Policy Committee Meeting:  Thursday, September 5 at 7:00p.m., in the Administrative Conference Room

 

Committee of the Whole Meeting of the Board:  Monday, September 9, 7:00pm, at Hinsdale South

 

To view High School District 86 Board Meetings please click here.

  
Mortgage Relief Project

The Mortgage Relief Project, which is a part of the Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network established by Governor Pat Quinn, can you lower your mortgage, avoid foreclosure and keep your home. 

FREE housing counseling is available at this event.  You will also learn how to recognize the signs of mortgage fraud. 

This is a FREE event.  This event is on Saturday, September 14th from 9am to 1pm at Fenton High School Field House (door #22), 1000 W Green in Bensenville. To register call toll free at 1-800-532-8785, or visit www.idfpr.com

The event is sponsored by Governor Pat Quinn's Office; Illinois Housing Development Authority; Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR); Illinois Department of Employment Security; and Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office and hosted by State Senator Don Harmon and State Representative Kathleen Willis.

COMMUNITY EVENTS
DarienFest 2013 - This Weekend!

DarienFest 2013 is this weekend - September 6, 7 & 8 at Community Park!  For more information and a schedule of entertainment, visit http://www.darienchamber.com/

 

Local High School Student Could Win a $30,000 Scholarship & a Trip to Washington DC

Commander Matt Goodwin of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2838 in Darien announced the kick-off of this year's Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition. The contest is open to all high school students in grades 9 through 12 including home schooled students.

 

Students participate by writing and then recording a three to five minute audio essay expressing their views on this year's topic, "Why I am Optimistic About our Nation's Future." Students' recordings (CDs or cassette tapes) are first judged at the post level with winning recordings advanced for judging at district, state, and national levels.  Monetary awards are given at each level.  The top winner in each state earns a free trip to Washington DC and the first place winner in the national competition receives a $30,000 scholarship plus the awards issued at the post, district, and state levels. 

 

Student entries including the recording, typed copy of the essay, and a completed application form are due to our post by November 1. For complete information regarding this exciting competition, please contact our post Voice of Democracy chairman Earl McMahon at 630-963-3858 or check our web site at http://www.vfw.org/Community/Voice-of-Democracy/

 

This competition is sponsored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliary throughout the country and has attracted over 7 million participants in its 65 year history. The members of Darien Memorial Post 2838 are pleased to offer this opportunity to the students in our community.  An award presentation ceremony will be scheduled later this year to honor the top winners in our post competition.

 

Darien Chamber "Shop Local Shop Darien"

The Darien Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce their Shop Local Shop Darien Campaign. We encourage residents to support Darien Chamber businesses that display the Shop Local Shop Darien decal posted in their window. Shop Darien Shop Local Preferred Cards are now on sale for $5 at the Darien Chamber of Commerce office in City Hall or at local Darien Chamber member businesses.  Click here for all the Shop Local Shop Darien Preferred Offers!

Indian Boundary YMCA Breast Cancer Awareness 5K walk/run FREE Community Event

Join the Indian Boundary YMCA for our 4th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness 5K walk/run. This event is free and will honor those who have had breast cancer. This free 5k walk/run is very informal but fun. Wear your pink and celebrate with us. Location is the Indian Boundary YMCA, 711 59th St., Downers Grove (on 59th St between Fairview and Main St.) The Date and Time are Saturday, October 12th, 8-9 am.   We will join together to walk/run the neighborhoods surrounding the Indian Boundary YMCA. Meet at the Personal Training Studio. Donations will be accepted for the American Cancer Society and the Indian Boundary YMCA Annual campaign. Please sign up in the Fitness Center or by calling 630-929-2419.

 

5K Walk Benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

The Darien-Woodridge Firefighters Local 3437 Presents a 5K Walk Benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.  This event will take place at Oldfield Oaks Forest Preserve (Oldfield Rd. East of Lemont Rd.).  Check-in/Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Meyer Woods Park.  Food, activities and fun for all ages! 

 

Information/Registration at:  WWW.StJudeEvents.org/3437

or contact Shawn Lamb at ShawnL9@comcast.net

Follow on Facebook: DWFD WALK for St. Jude

Darien Lions Club "Candy Day"

The Darien Lions Club will be fundraising on "Candy Day", Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12, 2013. The Darien Lions Club remains committed to serving our community through such programs as:

 

Darien Lions July 4th Parade, Darien Lions Halloween Party, Darien Lions Food Basket Program, Darien Lions Special Needs Program, Support of the Hearing Impaired Program at Hinsdale South High School, Diabetes Awareness Programs in the Darien Community, Mobile Hearing Exams Screenings, Free Eye Exams for Local Darien Residents and Many other State and Local Programs

 

On October 11th and 12th they ask for your monetary support in their efforts to continue their service in Darien.  If you would like to volunteer, call Lion Art Kardatzke at 312-287-9534


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