What Would You Improve in Bolingbrook for 2013?

sstradley January 2, 2013 at 04:14 pm

NO MORE BUILDING!!! we have SO many fricken empty strip malls and buildings here in our village already. Fill them up first!!

AKILAH WATSON January 2, 2013 at 05:01 pm

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PROGRAMS FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED ADULTS. WE USE TO HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM WHEN JOHN ZEMSKY WAS IN CHARGE. OF THE PARK DISTRICT .ONCE HE LEFT IT WENT DOWN FAST. WE HAD A GREAT BOYSSCOUT FOR THE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY DDISABLED. THAT ALSO LEFT. I KNOW WE CAN TO BETTER FOR OUR DISABLE RESIDENTS.

Steve January 2, 2013 at 07:03 pm

I have to admit that there are many good suggestions posted here, better recycling bins/containers, better enforcement of city codes, bringing in more businesses, underground parking & condos integrated into Promenade, programs for mentally challenged adults - all good things - Thanks and God bless all who have shared.
I'd like to add one rather minor thought, I was rather saddened as I drove through the Promenade this Christmas to see so many stores without any holiday decorations. The Promenade itself decorated the trees and had the big Christmas tree, but not a lot of stores. I have to say one of the nice things you see at this time of year when you go into other downtown areas (which the Promenade is supposed to mimic) is most stores are decorated for the season, making them look so much more warm and inviting to shop in. I recently was in Naperville as I had to go to the Apple Store there and had a little time to walk around their downtown. I have to say I admired how quaint and welcoming the stores looked, all dressed up for the holidays. I believe you could draw more people to our "downtown" Promenade if it resembled more of a downtown atmosphere.

Despiser of Obama January 3, 2013 at 12:13 am

Elect a new Mayor!!

Lucy January 3, 2013 at 12:38 am

You said you were a resident of Naperville so why do you care if he's mayor or not?

Bob Jonas January 3, 2013 at 01:11 am

As Lucy said earlier, why do you care DOO if you don't live here.

Despiser of Obama January 3, 2013 at 01:30 am

Because I'm a concerned U.S. citizen , I like transparency regardless of where one lives!!! Also the Promenade could never hold a candle to Downtown Naperville. As I recall that when the Promenade first opened , the Mayor said Downtown Naperville would feel the impact from the Promenade! Guess what? It didn't do anything! Nice try Mayor! Not!

Bob Jonas January 3, 2013 at 01:39 am

Doo, you've been jealous of Bolingbrook from day 1. You come and go on here under a variety of aliases. Most of the everyday bloggers on here know you who you are and you biases towards our wonderful town and the advantages we have over your little town north of us.

Despiser of Obama January 3, 2013 at 01:59 am

Bob now that's a joke! Bolingbrook's advantages over Naperville! There's none! Let's see see Bolingbrook has a plenty more section 8, big gang problems , no Downtown or night life, riverwalk and really run down neighborhoods that look like used car lots and junk yards. A little town? More like a quaint City , unlike a little Village as the Brook.

Steve January 3, 2013 at 02:18 am

Personally as a citizen of Bolingbrook who lives and works right here in the village, I'm happy with the town overall. But I always think there is room for improvement. There seem to be some good comments from some caring people who reside here and I for one am happy to here their suggestions. As Tiny Tim would say "God bless them everyone." You can Bah-Humbug me if you will but that won't change a thing, there are many nice, good, and caring people who populate Bolingbrook and all they are trying to do is make some responsilbe suggestions.

Despiser of Obama January 3, 2013 at 02:48 am

BUTCH has found a new alter ego!!

Valerie Summers January 3, 2013 at 04:19 am

Agree 100%

Valerie Summers January 3, 2013 at 04:25 am

Then why are you on this thread??If Naperville is so grand, stay over there.
Make a resolution for Naperville, not Bolingbrook. Your a Concerned citizen that doesnt use your real name!! Interesting!!!

Valerie Summers January 3, 2013 at 04:29 am

Then why are you spending your valuable time on a Bolingbrook Thread?? Your Town, has plenty to fix, go work your magic there.

Despiser of Obama January 3, 2013 at 04:35 am

Double the size of the Brook and half the problems!

Elden January 3, 2013 at 04:41 am

Steve, just ignore DoO, he's a loon! Along the lines of Christmas decorations as a customer draw, I only have one MAJOR beef with Mayor Claar!! His insistance on using clear lights and not colored lights for the village decorations! It makes Bolingbrook look more like a bland Orland Park mall than a festive holiday community! Look at downtown Naperville and other surrounding towns, even Westmont!!! It doesn't cost the village one penny more for the colored lights than it does for those accursed white ones!! If you look carefully at the displays at Village Hall you will see the color slowly being replaced by clear on the majority of them! If Roger isn't behind this, then I, and I know for a FACT others in town feel the same way, WISH he would get on whomever at Public Works is responsible and order them to KNOCK IT OFF with the clear lights already!!! It majorly diminishes that old-time Christmas magic!!!!!

Bob Jonas January 3, 2013 at 12:31 pm

Longtime Resident, I agree with you on all of the above, especially the LOON part. LOL. I too would like to see some variety, added color to all the holiday displays. I know the village is trying to recognize all faiths appropriately, but lets do it with some style.

Barbara January 3, 2013 at 01:46 pm

I'd like lower taxes: sales tax and especially the restaurant tax. 10% is too high.

Tim Adams January 3, 2013 at 02:45 pm

I would like to see dedicated bicycle lanes on our arterial streets. The existing trails are nice for short rides, but I would like to ride to the shopping areas without risking my life. The current situation requires daredevil riding on the road edge hoping drivers are paying attention. The other current option is to ride on the sidewalks, bicycles and pedestrians don't mix we'll on a narrow sidewalk. As a pedestrian, I have had many close calls from riders of all ages who silently come up behind me and fly by, surprising me.
Of course, with money tight, addressing this is unlikely. Hopefully this might come up during repaying.

Tim Adams January 3, 2013 at 02:46 pm

On a more immediate note, how about a pothole patrol on residential streets. My street has several 1x3 foot holes, 3-4 inches deep. They will worsen when the village starts snow plowing later this winter.

Rhonda Reed-Slaughter January 3, 2013 at 02:51 pm

Excellent idea. During the warmer months, I would love to take my kids on a bike ride to the library or pool. It would be nice to have dedicated bike lanes.

jaskie1505 January 3, 2013 at 04:16 pm

Love the bike path/trail idea. Will encourage people to get out and exercise and see the town as well.

sstradley January 5, 2013 at 01:42 am

Tim, any time you see potholes and call them in, they will come and fix them right away. They have always been very good at responding. Yes there are many, but they will take a callers complaint and fix it. =)

Mickey January 6, 2013 at 01:23 am

The village could also finish the trail that starts at Drafke park in Pepper tree and should have connected to the trail over Veterans. My dad waited so long for this to be complete. Unfortunately he never got to see it completed. He passed away in September.

Maureen C January 12, 2013 at 04:39 pm

Akila, I agree with you! Overall, there is a real lack of funding, interest, and commitment to provide adequate services for people with disabilities/mental challenges. With Illinois' financial mess, there are now rampant cutbacks, rather than expansion of services. I hope this state and its communities see their way clear to a better day for people who need help. (I speak as a QMHP, mental health worker, and clinical therapist for disadvantaged populations.)

Tim Adams January 12, 2013 at 05:23 pm

I was just thinking that all of our suggestions to improve our community in appearance, recreation, and public safety come with costs. Most things we are asking for would either increase operating costs, or reduce some other program. For example, my suggestion for the bike lanes on arterial streets also would probably cost more than I ever thought, and would only benefit some of us. With that in mind, and considering I don't want to pay additional taxes, (who does?) I withdraw the suggestion.

Trey D January 12, 2013 at 09:58 pm

No, Tim Adams! Dont withdraw the suggestion! How much is a life worth? Bike lanes; sets rules, and standards. That suggestion is apart of making travel more safe! Cars are expected to be on the road and everyone else is all to often deemed as an obstacle of obstruction in some sort.
Cars have roads, Pedestrians have sidewalks, and bikes should have lanes!

Ken Latham January 25, 2013 at 11:09 pm

Yes new mayor....

Judy McGhee March 13, 2013 at 12:02 am

Code enforcement! Code enforcement! Code enforcement! I've been looking out my living room & dining room windows at a decrepit, in-ground pool for about 15 years! A shredded hanging cover, cracked & broken concrete, green rainwater, mosquitoes, etc. A view that's surrounded by a falling, piecemeal-patched stockade fence! Gutters falling, rotten soffits falling apart, etc. Code enforcement's been contacted again & again over the years & nothing changes! My kitchen window view isn't much better: A house with no gutters, bare dirt yard, broken blinds hanging, 4 large dogs who, at times, have puppies, dog poop everywhere with cleanup about 3 times a year (it smells in summer). Would like to sell out, but who would buy in the middle of this mess! Even went to City Hall--they were not interested and snotty. It took much insistence to get a few sheets of Village Codes & was told I could have the whole code for a cost of $100! How are people supposed to know the rules if they aren't provided a copy? It apparently doesn't matter if no one is enforcing them.

Judy McGhee March 13, 2013 at 12:11 am

Code enforcement! Code enforcement! Code enforcement! I've been looking out my living room & dining room windows at a decrepit, in-ground pool for about 15 years! A shredded hanging cover, cracked & broken concrete, green rainwater, mosquitoes, etc. A view that's surrounded by a falling, piecemeal-patched stockade fence! Gutters falling, rotten soffits falling apart, etc. Code enforcement's been contacted again & again over the years & nothing changes! My kitchen window view isn't much better: A house with no gutters, bare dirt yard, broken blinds hanging, 4 large dogs who, at times, have puppies, dog poop everywhere with cleanup about 3 times a year (it smells in summer). Would like to sell out, but who would buy in the middle of this mess! Even went to City Hall--they were not interested and snotty. It took much insistence to get a few sheets of Village Codes & was told I could have the whole code for a cost of $100! How are people supposed to know the rules if they aren't provided a copy? It apparently doesn't matter if no one is enforcing them.