or lack thereof. The allustrious Planning and Zoning Commission, that's right, the same folks who brought you the FAILED WalMart SuperCenter proposal, have all but approved the 2007 Comprehensive Plan.
They claim they have done "all they can" to encourage resident participation in this vital process. Did you get your two sentence notice on your water bill earlier this year? Oh, you saw that but didn't know what it was about? You may safely assume that the response from Mr. Hagerty, Chairman of P&Z is "so what." That's about all he had to say about the numerous deficincies in the proposed plan at the hearing December 4th. Impressive.
We will be presenting issues regarding this proposal in the near future. In the meantime, according to the company preparing the plan, there are six copies available at the Village for residents to view. Now, of course the Village hasn't informed you of this, but don't forget they're doing all they can to keep you informed.
If going in to the Village Hall to view the proposed plan is inconvenient, please ask Will Shashack to make the proposal available online. His Village phone is 288-2613, email wshashack@glen-carbon.il.us. This request has been made repeatedly by members of our organization and completely ignored.
If you don't like what you hear and see, you must speak up. The commission plans to approve this plan at their next meeting. Tuesday December 18, 7:00 pm at the Village Hall. Please contact Will Shashack with any issues you wish to see addressed.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Lawsuit Filed
August 28, 2007
Current Action: Sue the Village of Glen Carbon
It is official; the GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth have filed suit against the Village of Glen Carbon on behalf of five named plaintiffs. The Village Board of Glen Carbon broke their own laws when they approved the variance request made by THF Realty on behalf of WalMart’s interests. Our plaintiffs are seeking a judicial review of this decision, which will be found to be in conflict with the Ordinances and procedures dictated by the Village of Glen Carbon.
Throughout this process, our Village Trustees almost unanimously indicated their fear of a lawsuit from THF Realty if the variance was not granted. However, they are now going to be answering to OUR attorney. They have failed in their fulfilling their responsibilities to the citizens of this Village and its visitors.
Had the Village Trustees, Mayor and Village Attorney done their jobs and followed the laws of our Village, this lawsuit would not be necessary.
Current Action: Sue the Village of Glen Carbon
It is official; the GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth have filed suit against the Village of Glen Carbon on behalf of five named plaintiffs. The Village Board of Glen Carbon broke their own laws when they approved the variance request made by THF Realty on behalf of WalMart’s interests. Our plaintiffs are seeking a judicial review of this decision, which will be found to be in conflict with the Ordinances and procedures dictated by the Village of Glen Carbon.
Throughout this process, our Village Trustees almost unanimously indicated their fear of a lawsuit from THF Realty if the variance was not granted. However, they are now going to be answering to OUR attorney. They have failed in their fulfilling their responsibilities to the citizens of this Village and its visitors.
Had the Village Trustees, Mayor and Village Attorney done their jobs and followed the laws of our Village, this lawsuit would not be necessary.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Lawsuit filed, press conference tonight.
We urge all our supporters to please join the GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth at the Glen Carbon Village Hall this evening, Tuesday August 28th. We will be holding a press conference at 6:30 pm regarding the lawsuit filed today against the Village Trustees and Mayor.
The following is a copy of the press release issued this morning:
Glen Carbon, IL -- Today in the Circuit Court of Madison County, several citizens of Glen Carbon filed suit to stop the proposed expansion of Wal-Mart in Glen Carbon. The lawsuit asks the court to nullify the controversial vote to approve several variances related to the potential Wal-Mart expansion at the Cottonwood Mall on Route 159 in Glen Carbon.
In June, over the objection of more than one hundred residents that packed the Village Board meeting chambers as well as the nearly one thousand residents that signed petitions against the expansion, the Village Board illegally voted to approve the site plan and its attached variance requests. Today, that action has been challenged.
“Residents of Glen Carbon are not going to sit idly by while the laws that govern our community are tossed aside because our elected officials place a higher priority on tax revenue and corporate interests than the well-being of their constituents,” said Karen Bracki O’Koniewski, Spokeswoman for the GlenEd Citizens For Fair Growth, the community group leading the charge against the expansion. “Elected officials in Glen Carbon should first consider the best interests of our residents and balance that against the corporation’s request. The THF/WalMart request was invalid at best and the fact it was granted is illegal, irresponsible and unethical.”
The lawsuit states that the variances granted to THF Realty on behalf of Wal-Mart were done so illegally, as THF failed to state a hardship as to why they should be exempt from following existing requirements. In order to have a variance granted, an applicant must file a variance request that states what hardship it will suffer if the variance is not granted. The claimed hardship must meet six requirements in order for a variance to considered, let alone approved. In addition, hardship cannot be of the applicant’s own making.
Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world today, would certainly have a hard time convincing anyone that it suffers any hardship. Perhaps that is the reason that THF Realty left this section of the application blank. As such, there is no hardship facing THF/WalMart. Furthermore, there can be absolutely no subsequent finding by Glen Carbon officials that such hardship has been established. Thus a variance can NOT be granted legally by the Village of Glen Carbon.
“I spoke at the Village Board meeting where this application was improperly considered and illegally granted, and I told them then and there that they could not legally grant it based on several omissions in the application,” said Penni Livingston, attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed today. “I enlarged the application to a poster-board sized exhibit, showing the Board and the rest of the Village that THF/Wal-Mart failed to state a hardship,” related Livingston. “They should have played by the rules during this process. Instead they decided that catering to Wal-Mart was more important than honoring the commitment they made to the citizens of Glen Carbon who trusted them to fairly exercise their public duties.”
Glen Carbon citizens cleaned house in the 2005 election because of just such decisions. Many residents are disappointed in the recent actions of their elected officials. Members of the GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth see this lawsuit as a necessary message to send to the current administration. “Putting the desires of Corporate America above the safety and well-being of the Village of Glen Carbon is unacceptable.”states O’Koniewski
Karen Bracki O’Koniewki, Attorney Penni Livingston, and other concerned citizens will make statements regarding this lawsuit outside of the Glen Carbon Village Hall tonight at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following , all will attend the Glen Carbon Village Board meeting and formally present the Mayor and Trustees with the lawsuit. The press are invited to attend, at which time copies of the lawsuit will be distributed.
The following is a copy of the press release issued this morning:
Glen Carbon, IL -- Today in the Circuit Court of Madison County, several citizens of Glen Carbon filed suit to stop the proposed expansion of Wal-Mart in Glen Carbon. The lawsuit asks the court to nullify the controversial vote to approve several variances related to the potential Wal-Mart expansion at the Cottonwood Mall on Route 159 in Glen Carbon.
In June, over the objection of more than one hundred residents that packed the Village Board meeting chambers as well as the nearly one thousand residents that signed petitions against the expansion, the Village Board illegally voted to approve the site plan and its attached variance requests. Today, that action has been challenged.
“Residents of Glen Carbon are not going to sit idly by while the laws that govern our community are tossed aside because our elected officials place a higher priority on tax revenue and corporate interests than the well-being of their constituents,” said Karen Bracki O’Koniewski, Spokeswoman for the GlenEd Citizens For Fair Growth, the community group leading the charge against the expansion. “Elected officials in Glen Carbon should first consider the best interests of our residents and balance that against the corporation’s request. The THF/WalMart request was invalid at best and the fact it was granted is illegal, irresponsible and unethical.”
The lawsuit states that the variances granted to THF Realty on behalf of Wal-Mart were done so illegally, as THF failed to state a hardship as to why they should be exempt from following existing requirements. In order to have a variance granted, an applicant must file a variance request that states what hardship it will suffer if the variance is not granted. The claimed hardship must meet six requirements in order for a variance to considered, let alone approved. In addition, hardship cannot be of the applicant’s own making.
Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world today, would certainly have a hard time convincing anyone that it suffers any hardship. Perhaps that is the reason that THF Realty left this section of the application blank. As such, there is no hardship facing THF/WalMart. Furthermore, there can be absolutely no subsequent finding by Glen Carbon officials that such hardship has been established. Thus a variance can NOT be granted legally by the Village of Glen Carbon.
“I spoke at the Village Board meeting where this application was improperly considered and illegally granted, and I told them then and there that they could not legally grant it based on several omissions in the application,” said Penni Livingston, attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed today. “I enlarged the application to a poster-board sized exhibit, showing the Board and the rest of the Village that THF/Wal-Mart failed to state a hardship,” related Livingston. “They should have played by the rules during this process. Instead they decided that catering to Wal-Mart was more important than honoring the commitment they made to the citizens of Glen Carbon who trusted them to fairly exercise their public duties.”
Glen Carbon citizens cleaned house in the 2005 election because of just such decisions. Many residents are disappointed in the recent actions of their elected officials. Members of the GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth see this lawsuit as a necessary message to send to the current administration. “Putting the desires of Corporate America above the safety and well-being of the Village of Glen Carbon is unacceptable.”states O’Koniewski
Karen Bracki O’Koniewki, Attorney Penni Livingston, and other concerned citizens will make statements regarding this lawsuit outside of the Glen Carbon Village Hall tonight at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following , all will attend the Glen Carbon Village Board meeting and formally present the Mayor and Trustees with the lawsuit. The press are invited to attend, at which time copies of the lawsuit will be distributed.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
June 6, 2007
Update from GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth.
You may have noticed it has been quite a while since we've updated everyone on the process. The reason for this delay is simple: WalMart and THF Realty have repeatedly REMOVED their petition from the Village Board Meeting agenda. Why? Perhaps they realize how weak their position has become. Perhaps they realize the fact that they don't have an actual hardship to claim (required for a variance in Glen Carbon) might actually keep them from taking advantage of our village.
Apparently WalMart and THF feel ready to take on our Village Board and the citizens of this town. We say, it's about time. The Village Attorney has assured us that on TUESDAY JUNE 12 AT 7:00 pm, this issue WILL be addressed. We need you to come as well and make your voice heard. The more citizens who show their strong concern for this issue, the more our Board will listen!
You may have noticed it has been quite a while since we've updated everyone on the process. The reason for this delay is simple: WalMart and THF Realty have repeatedly REMOVED their petition from the Village Board Meeting agenda. Why? Perhaps they realize how weak their position has become. Perhaps they realize the fact that they don't have an actual hardship to claim (required for a variance in Glen Carbon) might actually keep them from taking advantage of our village.
Apparently WalMart and THF feel ready to take on our Village Board and the citizens of this town. We say, it's about time. The Village Attorney has assured us that on TUESDAY JUNE 12 AT 7:00 pm, this issue WILL be addressed. We need you to come as well and make your voice heard. The more citizens who show their strong concern for this issue, the more our Board will listen!
Rally before the Village Board Meeting!
On Tuesday June 12 at 5:00 pm we will be hosting a Lookout For Glen Carbon, Cookout for Glen Carbon.
Please join us at Miner Park in Glen Carbon (behind the library on Main Street) in Pavillion 1. We will have free hot dogs, chips and soft drinks for everyone; plus buttons and t-shirts.
We will still be collecting signatures from anyone who hasn't had a chance to join the list yet. We will then head over to the Village Board meeting en masse and show THF and WalMart who has the power in this town, the people!
Please join us at Miner Park in Glen Carbon (behind the library on Main Street) in Pavillion 1. We will have free hot dogs, chips and soft drinks for everyone; plus buttons and t-shirts.
We will still be collecting signatures from anyone who hasn't had a chance to join the list yet. We will then head over to the Village Board meeting en masse and show THF and WalMart who has the power in this town, the people!
Response to Flyer Distribution
The recent flyer distributed in Glen Carbon was not officially sponsored by the GlenEd Citizens for Fair Growth. Please note the flyer indicates "For more information, visit GlenEdCitizens.blogspot.com"
We appreciate the flyer's message and encourage everyone to attend the Village Board meeting on Tuesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm. We also encourage anyone who would like more information on the issue to browse the topics on our website.
If you feel this expansion is not appropriate for our community, sign your name to our petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthesupercenter/
We appreciate the flyer's message and encourage everyone to attend the Village Board meeting on Tuesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm. We also encourage anyone who would like more information on the issue to browse the topics on our website.
If you feel this expansion is not appropriate for our community, sign your name to our petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthesupercenter/
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Update April 4, 2007
We must be getting to them! The Village has decided to commission a third and independent analysis of the parking and traffic issues at Cottonwood Mall. This is not the FULL IMPACT TRAFFIC STUDY we would like to see, but it's a step in the right direction.
The Wal-Mart expansion proposal has been taken off the agenda for the April 10th Village Board meeting. This is a good sign and indicates that the Trustees and Mayor are taking the concerns of their residents very seriously. Each Trustee has been asked to review a large packet of information and submit questions to the Mayor.
Give them the questions to ask. Contact your Village Officials and tell them your concerns. Make sure they address each one of them.
We will notify every resident when the proposal is back on the agenda and the meeting date and time so we can show the Board how we feel in person.
THIS is the power of people; use it and make it strong. We can say no to Wal-Mart, we will show them that the Village of Glen Carbon has more power than a giant corporation with no concern for our community.
The Wal-Mart expansion proposal has been taken off the agenda for the April 10th Village Board meeting. This is a good sign and indicates that the Trustees and Mayor are taking the concerns of their residents very seriously. Each Trustee has been asked to review a large packet of information and submit questions to the Mayor.
Give them the questions to ask. Contact your Village Officials and tell them your concerns. Make sure they address each one of them.
We will notify every resident when the proposal is back on the agenda and the meeting date and time so we can show the Board how we feel in person.
THIS is the power of people; use it and make it strong. We can say no to Wal-Mart, we will show them that the Village of Glen Carbon has more power than a giant corporation with no concern for our community.
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