The Village Board Meeting update
We’ve reached 623 signatures on this petition—thank you so much for your support!
I know everyone has been wondering about updates. Honestly, I don’t have much information yet. This bench project has consumed so much of my time over the past three months that I decided to take the last few days just to step back and enjoy my gardens.
Here is what I do have:
The Village Board Meeting
On Monday night, I attended the village board meeting for Public Comment. When I had emailed earlier in the week to ask if I needed to be put on the official agenda to fully discuss the bench, I was told that Public Comment was the proper way to bring it up.
Because the village only allows 2 minutes per speaker—which is not nearly enough time—I brought my husband and daughter with me. I asked to speak on behalf of all three of us combined, but mayor Barrett F. Pedersen stated we each only had 2 minutes. While speaking, I got a bit excited and speed-read my notes, causing my voice volume to rise, for which I was interrupted.
According to my husband and another community member, my actual speaking time was approximately 3 to 3.5 minutes. Just as I reached my final paragraph, I was interrupted again and informed that my time had expired. Because I had already skipped a significant portion of my notes, I went ahead and finished my last few sentences.
Eight fellow community members attended to support me, yet village officials couldn't spare a total of 6 minutes for us to fully talk. The entire meeting only lasted about 30 minutes total.
Off-the-Record & Trustee Feedback
Only one trustee, Gil Hagerstrom, approached me afterward just to tell me I did a good job. The mayor left promptly after the meeting, though a few of my community supporters did speak with other trustees.
Trustee Karen Special stated that I didn't provide any data regarding the number of signatures I collected. However, they were already given a 28-page printout of the signatures that I submitted to the village clerk before the meeting, along with all the comments left on my petition and community page posts.
She also questioned whether all of my signatures were strictly from Franklin Park residents—as if a public bench is only ever seen or used strictly by our residents.
Furthermore, the printed list doesn't accurately list everyone’s town. For example, my own signature registered under Elmwood Park, which is likely a glitch tied to where my phone number is registered.
I also know that they recently approved a memorial bench in our neighborhood for an incident that occurred last year. If signatures were required for that request, I am confident they did not all come exclusively from Franklin Park residents. I have filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to verify how that application was handled.
Lisa Manzo from the Zoning and Building office informed me that they will not be issuing a ticket at this time.
She noted that I need to determine my own next steps because the board failed to provide any formal feedback or direction.
When I asked how I should proceed, she suggested reaching out to the Village Attorney to get definitive answers.
Please keep sharing and spreading the word.