Last summer, we offered Times' readers the opportunity to sound off directly to elected leaders in our community.
As we stated last year, one of the benefits of our online society is the increasing ease by which we are able to communicate with our elected leaders.
So for the second consecutive year, we want to allow our readers the chance to communicate with local officials serving on the Dorchester Village Board.
Our "Suggestion Box" series provides an open forum for readers to offer suggestions, complaints and compliments for local leaders. It also allows readers to pose questions -- and we hope that Village Board members or city staff will take time to reply.
We have well-placed informants who tell us that Board members read the Times on a regular basis. So we ask readers to keep their comments civil and thoughtful -- just as if you were attending a public meeting or speaking to your board members in person.
And keep in mind that board members, like other local leaders, are volunteers. They deserve your respect.
I have a question, but it's not for the Village Board, it's for the young people who use the park. You have been given a nice place to hang out, play basketball & play on playground equipment but you leave a trail of trash behind. My heart aches every morning I see Mr. Filipi picking up the trash left behind by healthy children & young adults.
ReplyDeletewhen do we get a suggestion box directed towards the elected leaders of our Dorchester School Board?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of quality education are we getting for our tax dollars?
This is a unit which emlpoyes more people and has a larger budget than the village.
Put up a suggestion box, I am sure there will be some suggestions, complaints and compliments
If a certain city employee wields as much influence and resistance to improvement as I hear he does, an early retirement needs to be forced by board members. I heard from one respected Dorchester resident that this employee actually discouraged her from building in town. What in the world?
ReplyDeleteHere is an idea, although I don't know if it's best suited for the village board. How about we start offering incentives for people to build in Dorchester? Perhaps start a collection so we can buy a lot to anyone who agrees to build a new home or refurbish an existing home in town.
ReplyDeleteUntil we have some new home development in Dorchester, we will continue to see a struggling downtown and those same old unkept yards.
I agree with Fulton St. Gal. That's an idea worth persuing. How about it Village Board?
ReplyDeleteI want to thank the village board members for running. Most of them have served at a time when no one else would step to the plate.
ReplyDeleteI hope things are changing and people of this town realize that they need to be part of the solution and not just full time whiners.
My suggestion would be for the Village to adopt some form of a property maintenance code. Once adopted it would give the Village the authority to govern the maintenance of existing buildings.
ReplyDeleteNot only would this help in the short term goal of improving the overall aesthetic look of the town, but in the long term it would help improve the housing stock available for future residents.
Also, Fulton St Gal, if a property owner abandons or refuses to properly maintain their property , this code would give the Village the ability to take possession of the property and in turn, offer it as an incentive to a potential resident.
I know that these are not popular things to talk about, but it goes with the territory. Many other communities have these regulations and do struggle with the enforcement, however, without the enforcement it is a disservice to the property owners that do properly maintain their properties.
I don't understand why Dorchester doesn't already have such a code. I agree with Mike!
ReplyDeleteThere probably is such a code or law already, but unless someone enforces it, it doesn't matter. Did you know there is a law that grass can't be over 12". That's what I've been told by a lady that has to mow the empty lot behind her, so the neighbors can shoot off their fireworks (And they complain until she does).
ReplyDeleteI would like to encourage the residents of Dorchester to not just "sound off" here, but to begin going to village meetings. If board members see people are interested in what they are doing, they might become more accountable to you their constituents. 'Country Cousin'
If there is one disappointment I have with the Dorchester Times (no disrespect intended) is that it hasn't translated into more citizen action. Lots of complaints and discussion which is good for a first step, but where's the action. Maybe we'll see it soon.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone would like to discuss any community and economic development ideas further, feel free to find me on Friday.
ReplyDeleteMike Feeken
The frequent complaint people seem to be having is with the streets. You need to ask yourselves - you want the streets improved - are you willing to pay for the cost?
ReplyDeletePaved streets would be great - the city board knows that, but as residents of the town, the bulk of the cost will fall on you. I would be willing to pay my share, how about those that complain all the time. It won't be free.
This time around make sure the company knows what they are doing as far as drainage.