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April 29, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For
more information, contact Ibis Antongiorgi, Press Secretary to Cook
County Board President Todd H. Stroger, at 312-603-0396 or by email at
iantongiorgi@cookcountygov.com.
Cook County Board President Todd Stroger Disappointed in Actions of Palatine Village Officials
President to Schedule Community Meetings throughout Northwest Cook County
Chicago,
IL – Today Palatine Village officials were notified that Cook
County Board President Todd H. Stroger will not attend a special
committee meeting of the village board scheduled for Wednesday, April
30 at Harper College.
“I planned to attend a community meeting in Palatine to inform
local residents of the extent and description of Cook County services
that are provided to them as residents of the County,” President
Stroger said. “However, as a direct result of the actions of the
Village in changing the forum from a Community Meeting to a Special
Village Board Meeting, and then to a Special Village Board Committee
Meeting, it became apparent the format was manipulated such that the
forum would no longer be community based. This change in format
diminishes the ability of the community to voice their concerns and
instead allows for political grand-standing by village council
members.”
“I remain committed to addressing the concerns raised by County
residents. To that end, I will be attending community meetings
throughout northwest Cook County in the coming weeks.”
Last month, President Stroger met with Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins to
discuss residents’ concerns regarding County services provided to
Palatine residents. During the meeting, the President accepted
the Mayor’s invitation to attend a Community Meeting in Palatine.
But Palatine Village Officials had a different agenda. In addition to
changing the forum from a Community Meeting to a Village Board
Committee meeting, Palatine officials wanted to create a “buffer
zone” of elected officials and business leaders to further
separate community residents from President Stroger. That was
unacceptable to President Stroger who looked forward to fielding
questions from community residents.
“I want to speak to the residents of Cook County
face-to-face. That is the very reason why I planned to travel to
Palatine, however; I will not debate local Palatine elected officials
who expect to exploit this opportunity to further their own political
agendas. Other meetings are designed for that purpose, this one was
NOT,” Stroger said.
“My attendance at upcoming local community meetings will allow
residents the opportunity to be made aware of all services that Cook
County has to offer to them,” Stroger added.
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