Thank You for signing up to receive the Direct Connect. You are receiving valuable and timely city news and events. If you know of anyone who would benefit from receiving this email, please have them sign up at darien.il.us, or call Mary at 630-353-8115 to have their email address added to our list.

"Like" us for city contact information and current city news on the City of Darien Official Facebook Page

CITY NEWS

NO Refuse & Recycling Delay

Refuse and recycling pickup will not be delayed the week of October 13th. Columbus Day is not considered a refuse holiday.

Local City of Darien Election Packets

Individuals seeking to run for the office of Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, Alderman Ward 2, Alderman Ward 4, or Alderman Ward 6 can pick up a packet at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road. The packet contains documents necessary for individuals to be placed on the ballot for the April 7, 2015 Consolidated General Election. Candidates are encouraged to seek the advice of legal counsel before filing nomination papers, which must be in apparent conformity. The first day to file is December 15th at 8:30 A.M.; the last day to file is December 22nd at 5:00 P.M. Regular business hours at City Hall are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

City of Darien Job Opening - Staff Accountant

The City of Darien (population 23,860) is seeking a Staff Accountant to report to the Assistant City Administrator.

General Responsibilities:

The individual in this position will be responsible for preparation of journal entries, account analysis, bank reconciliations, payroll and preparation of financial statements including monthly Board reports and assisting the auditors in completing our Annual Financial Report (AFR). The position will also be responsible for payroll tax deposits and payroll tax returns including W-2's and 1099's.

Position Requirements: The successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in accounting with two to four years' experience in governmental accounting preferred. The successful candidate should be able to use Microsoft Excel and Word and familiarity with accounting software. Experience with Sage Software, which is utilized by the City for its accounting, payroll and Human Resources systems is helpful. The candidate should be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally across all levels of employees from Administrative to Directors and Elected Officials.

Starting Salary: The salary range for this position is $50,725 - $68,479 with starting salary DOQ. The City provides an excellent benefits package, including participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF).

Application period: Open until filled

Employment applications available on our website.

City of Darien Job Opening - Administrative Secretary ll - Police Dept.

The City of Darien is accepting applications for the position of Administrative Secretary II for the Police Department.

The successful candidate will be proficient in all Microsoft Office applications and possess excellent writing skills. Strong communication skills, a dynamic personality, and innovative thinking are needed to interact with the public and provide quality customer service to our residents. Duties include but are not limited to; scheduling shifts, organizing departmental activities, providing support to the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police, writing and assembling community newsletters, writing departmental memorandums, coordinating and assembling meeting materials and providing executive communications to department employees.

The salary range for this position is $41,442-55,947 with an excellent benefits package. Applications will be accepted at Darien City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road, until the position is filled. The City of Darien is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Employment applications available on our website.

Bryon Vana, City Administrator	(630) 353-8114
City Hall	(630) 852-5000
Police Department	(630) 971-3999
Public Works	(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, October 20

7:30 p.m.

Monday November 3
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.

Meet & Greet Mayor Weaver!

The third Monday of every month at Darien City Hall from 6 - 7pm

Find out the latest city updates - Share your thoughts and suggestions - Get involved - Meet other residents!

View Darien Police Department Weekly Press Release

You may view the Darien Police Department weekly 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

Nixle Text Alert Program

The Nixle text alert system provides for the City to send out urgent and emergency alerts via text messages. This a FREE service. To sign up for Nixle, visit our website and click on the nixle icon or visit the nixle website here.

City of Darien Tweets!

The City of Darien is now on Twitter. Please follow us at Cityofdarien.

FREE Fall Leaf Pickup

The City of Darien will again be providing fall leaf pick-up FREE OF CHARGE to residents. The program will run from Oct. 6- Nov. 29 of this year, and will take place weekly on your normal garbage day.. Leaves should be placed in brown kraft yard waste bags or in plastic garbage cans. If garbage cans are used they must have a permanent "YARD WASTE ONLY" label attached to the front of the can so the driver can identify it as leaf pickup. These labels are available free of charge at city hall.

Residents are not permitted to rake leaves into the street. Raking leaves into the street can cause serious local flooding for you and your neighbors. For more information please call 630-852-5000.

City of Darien 2014/2015 Parkway Tree Trimming Program

The City of Darien will be conducting their annual Parkway Tree Trimming Program beginning in December, 2014 in the following areas:

● The Woodlands of Darien	● Farmingdale Heights
● Clarefield	● Marion Hills North
● Marion Hills South	● Brookdale
● Farmingdale Terrace	● High Point Circle
● Farmingdale Terrace West	● Farmingdale Terrace South
● Portsmouth	● Brookhaven #1
● Violet's Farm	● Reflections of Hidden Lakes

This year's program also includes contract pricing for the Private Property Tree Trimming Program to all residents. The price for the private property program is $70.00 per tree in the front yard, and $135.00 per tree in the back yard. Trimming is for standard maintenance only. There will be no shaping, topping or other detrimental trimming. The contract also includes unit pricing for private property tree removal and stump grinding. The price for tree removal is $27.50 per diameter inch for the front yard, and $37.50 per diameter inch for the back yard. Stump grinding is $50.00 for the front yard and $75.00 for the rear yard. Residents may contact Ryan P. Countryman, Homer Tree Care Inc. for private property work at 815-838-0320 or via email at RyanCountryman@homertree.com. Residents that would like to participate in the private property program will need to contact Homer Tree Care by March 25, 2015.

For additional information regarding the Tree Trimming Program please contact us at 630-353-8105.

New Phone Scam!

A resident in the 6900 block of Clarendon Hills Road reported on 9/23/14 at 7:20p.m., he received a call from 815-462-0553. The male identified himself as a ComEd employee and asked the resident to turn off power to home as well as other probing questions about what might need to be powered off inside the residence. The resident did not act on the request. The resident called the number which referred a secondary number to call. Com Ed was not aware of any service work being done in the area. A search on the Internet lists this phone number as a possible scam.

The Darien Police remind residents to not act on any unsolicited phone calls received by individuals claiming to be from the IRS, a Federal police agent, a person claiming to be a relative under arrest out-of-state, or a Microsoft employee asking to remote access your computer. These calls are scams intended to steal identity or obtain money under false pretenses or threats of arrest. Hang up on the caller and report incident to your local police.

Alert - Do Not Allow Entry to Your Home!

On August 29, 2014 at approximately 3:00pm, a resident in the 300 block of Janet reported a male subject knocking on her back door. The male stated he was from a water company and needed entry to residence to check the clarity of water for contamination. The male was told to wait outside while the resident obtained a glass of water. The male entered the residence but remained at the doorway after being observed by another resident. The male told the resident the water looked fine and left.

The male was described as Hispanic, age 50, 5'08 in height, black hair and moustache. The male was wearing a yellow shirt with no company logo.

Please be aware that city workers will never ask for entry to your residence without an appointment. City workers will be wearing shirts with the city logo on them, have City of Darien identifications cards, and will be in vehicles marked with the City of Darien on the side.

The Darien Police strongly recommend that residents keep their storm or screen door locked at all times. This will provide a secured barrier. Do not allow anyone entry to your residence that you have not personally contacted and arranged an appointment.

Call the Darien Police at 9-1-1 with anything suspicious. The police officer will come out to your residence and verify a work order or identity. Remain vigilant to your neighbors as well.

OTHER GOVERNMENT NEWS AND EVENTS

Argonne "OutLoud" Lecture

Argonne National Laboratory is pleased to present the latest edition of Argonne OutLoud, the lab's free public lecture series:

"Computation, Big Data, and the Future of Cities"

Featuring Charlie Catlett, Senior Computer Scientist at Argonne National Laboratory and Director of the Urban Center for Computation and Data (UrbanCCD) at the Computation Institute of the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014

6:30 - 7 p.m.: Reception and Scientific Poster/Display Session
7 p.m. - 8 p.m.: Presentation and Q&A

Charlie will talk about how he and his colleagues are using high-performance computing, data analytics, and embedded systems to better understand and design cities.

The event will take place at the Advanced Photon Source Auditorium on the Argonne campus and will include light refreshments.

The event is free, but advance registration is required. For more information and to register please visit www.anl.gov/community/outloud or call 630-252-5573.

Darien Public Schools, District #61

Board of Education, Committee of the Whole Mtg.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

7:00 PM at Lace School

Topic: Facilities Assessment Report

Electronic Recycling Information

The State of Illinois has banned computers, monitors, printers, televisions, and other electronics from landfills. If any of these items are left curbside, they will not be picked up. There are many options to responsibly recycle your electronics throughout DuPage County. Residents are encouraged to visit the DuPage County website or SCARCE for information on how to recycle electronics.

COMMUNITY NEWS AND EVENTS

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. Visit the Chamber at www.darienchamber.com for all the Shop Local Shop Darien Preferred Offers and Discounts!

Darien Chamber of Commerce "Paint the Town Pink"

Darien Chamber of Commerce Women in Business will be hosting "Paint the Town Pink" during the month of October in the City of Darien. We are encouraging all businesses and residents to decorate their home or business in pink for the entire month of October to support Breast Cancer! A Silent Auction was held at DarienFest for 9 beautiful Adirondack Chairs designed by local artist. 100% of the proceeds will provide meals for Women in Darien going through Breast Cancer Treatment. If you are currently going through breast cancer treatment or aware of anyone, please call the Chamber office at 630-968-0004 by September 30th.

Darien Youth Club Fall Registration Now Open!

Darien Youth Club Fall Registration Now Open!

Boys Basketball Grades 3-12

Girls Basketball Grades 3-4

Co-Ed Volleyball Grades 4-8

Registration will close Friday, October 17 or when registration is maxed out.

Season will start mid to late October (except for boys basketball for grades 9-12, which will start mid November) NO TRYOUTS!!!! All kids participate. All programs are coached by parents and volunteers. All children are welcome & eligible to participate in DYC programs, regardless of residence.

Visit DarienYouthClub.org for more information or to register.

Darien Woman's Club Fall Children's Clothing Resale

The Darien Woman's Club Fall Children's Clothing Resale will be held on Saturday, October 11, from 9am to 2pm at Prairieview School, 799 Plainfield Road, Downers Grove.

Purchase fall/winter boys & girls clothes, infant-size 16; uniforms, costumes, outerwear, maternity, baby/child equipment, shoes, skates, and boots.

At the sale, credit card or cash accepted. Some items half-price after 12PM. NO CHILDREN ALLOWED ON SELLING FLOOR BEFORE 12PM. Shoppers may not have strollers/backpacks on selling floor.

For more information please call Val (630-852-4097), Ann (708-691-4170), or Deb (630-215-4942), or visit www.darienwomansclub.org.

Learn how to "Green Your Home" at the Indian Prairie Public Library

Learn how to save energy - and save money - in your home at the Indian Prairie Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. School and Community Assistance for Recycling and Composting Education (SCARCE) will provide hands-on demonstrations and show you how to make simple changes to "green your home." The program is free and will take place at the library. Participants can register online at www.calendar.ippl.info, by phone at (630) 887-8760 x239, or in-person at the library's Ask Us Desk.

Genealogy Programs at the Indian Prairie Public Library

October is Family History Month and the Indian Prairie Public Library is hosting two Genealogy programs. Beginner's Genealogy on the Web will help novice researchers find the best websites to begin their exploration online. The hands-on program will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. The library will also host a Genealogy Research After-Hours on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Participants will be able to use the library after hours for uninterrupted research time, as well as get help from genealogy group volunteers and librarians. Participants should bring names, dates, and places to research. Participants can register online at www.calendar.ippl.info, by phone at (630) 887-8760 x239, or in-person at the library's Ask Us Desk.

Hinsdale South Presents: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

On October 16, 17, and 18 at 7:00 p.m., Hinsdale South High Schools Fine Arts Department will present"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart. The musical's original 1962 Broadway run won several Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Book. Successful revivals of the musical were done in 1972 and in 1996 both winning additional Tony Awards.

This rollicking, witty and laugh-out-loud musical features zany characters and infectious music that promises "something for everyone - a comedy tonight!"

Tickets are $8.00 at the door or can be purchased at the school between 2:45pm - 4:00pm on October 13th - 17th. For further information call: (630) 468-4000.

Hinsdale South Athletic Club Golf Outing

The Hinsdale South Athletic Club Golf Outing will be on Saturday, October 18 at the Village Greens of Woodridge. The schedule is:

11:00 - Registration/Lunch/Draft Beer

12:00 - Shotgun Start

5:30-7:00 - Draft Beer & Wine

7:00 - Dinner

8:30 - Live Auction/Raffle Drawing/Prizes

Prices are:

Lunch/Golf/Dinner/Draft Beer & Wine - $125

Lunch/Golf Only - $100 (Students between 14-20 - Each minor must be accompanied by an adult)

Dinner/Draft Beer & Wine only - $50

Cool Compositions Contest for teens at Indian Prairie Public Library

Teen writers can submit their poems, short stories, and/or graphic novels for the Indian Prairie Public Library's Cool Compositions Contest. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners in each category. Entry forms are available at the library's Kids & Teens Ask Us Desk and at www.ipplteens.info. The entry deadline is Oct. 29. Winners will be announced Nov. 12.

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

Commander Matt Goodwin of Veterans of Foreign Wars Darien Memorial Post 2838 has 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 theme: "Why Veterans are Important to our Nation's History and 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. Complete information regarding this exciting opportunity and application forms are available at your local high school or by contacting Voice of Democracy Chairman, Nick Darien at 630-910-8552, email ndarien@comcast.net. Entries can be mailed to VFW Darien Memorial Post 2838, Voice of Democracy, PO Box 955, Westmont, IL 60559.

This competition is sponsored by the VFW and its Ladies Auxiliaries 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 high school students in our community. An award presentation ceremony will be scheduled later this year to honor the top winners in our post competition.

VFW - 1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Raffle!

You can win a 1958 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight! Proceeds benefit the Darien VFW Post 2838. 1st Prize is the car or cash equivalent, 2nd Prize is $3000.00, 3rd Prize is $1500.00, and 4th Prize is a Wine Basket. Ticket cost $100.00 each, Maximum of 500 tickets will be sold. For more information please call John at 630-910-3177, or Bill at 630-826-4761.

Join the Darien Seniors Club!

Doing - Sharing - Caring! The Darien Seniors Club was founded in 1975, to serve Darien and surrounding communities Senior Citizens. If you are age 55 or older please join! Darien residency is not required. The club meets ay noon on the second Tuesday of each month at the Darien Sportsplex, 451 Plainfield Road. For more information please call 630-852-6482