Forest Preserve District of Cook County
2007 Budget Hearing Testimony
November 1, 2006
Pat Hayes
Volunteer Steward, Orland Grassland
Member, President’s Community Advisory Council, 17th District
Born in South Chicago, I am a lifelong resident of Cook County with family still on the East Side, Hegewish, Dolton, Lynwood, Tinley Park, Lemont, West Loop and the northern tip of Lincoln Park.
Likewise, Orland Grassland volunteers and friends come from a broader community than Orland Park or the 17th District: Midlothian, Alsip, Oak Forest, Tinley Park, Orland Hills, Lemont, Oak Lawn, Brookfield, Chicago, Will County, and other surrounding communities.
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A young group, we have been working for just four years and continue to grow.o
Volunteered hours just through September 2006 of 2,328 exceeded the total hours for all of last year by 500 hours.o
Printed newsletters increased this year to over 1,500.o
250 individuals have requested to be on our e-news listing for monthly news and reminders.On behalf of all of my family and friends who frequently tell me how very proud they are of the work I do and lead, and on behalf of all of the Volunteers and Friends of Orland Grassland who donate so much of their time, and support our efforts:
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Congratulations to President Steele for her decisive and unwavering resolution to assure sound restoration and conservation land management principles are applied to all public lands throughout the District.o
Thank you, thank you to the President, Commissioners and General Superintendent Bylina for recognizing the value and importance of volunteer accomplishments by supplying tools, resources, interns and much needed equipment, and for encouraging good working relationships between staff and volunteers.o
Supporting your words and intentions is a proposed budget for 2007 that supports continued proactive restoration initiatives through additional staff and resources, and funds dedicated to much needed education and awareness efforts. Thank you.o
Finally, kudos to President Steele for the spirit of her message in releasing the proposed budget for 2007. Her successors, in the short term, and for generations to come, will hopefully stay this course, ensuring vibrant and healthy eco-systems for all of the District’s public lands, and for all of Cook County residents to enjoy.Respectfully submitted,
Pat Hayes
Orland Park, IL 60467