To the Voters of Worth Park District

 

Where do I start?

 

I served on the Worth Park District Board of Commissioners for over twenty three

 

years.  During those years we provided many programs and community events for the

 

people.  We along with The Worth Day Committee, provided a free Worth Day

 

Celebration. 

 

 

The new President and his Board has just started to spend money like they have an

 

endless supply.  He and his Board even hired a Director of Parks who wrote his own

 

contract.  How nuts is that?

 

 

They lost a great employee when they caused Christine Brooks to quit.  She left the

 

Park with a great Museum that is second to none in the area.  It is a great snap shot of

 

our history.  I would say that in a matter of a few short months the present Board will

 

destroy it. 

 

 

They are using your tax dollars that have been designated for certain funds to pay

 

other expenses.  Is this how the Park can pay a Park Director at $55,000 plus, a

 

Director of Recreation at $32,500 plus, and an Athletic Director at $28,100 plus?  The

 

Worth Park District is not big enough to afford these salaries.  Is this the reason why

 

the Park District has an $89,000 deficit?

 

 

Once this Board took over they cut the meetings down to one a month.  The Park used

 

to meet twice a month to keep track of things.  This Board gave the Director authority

 

to make decisions during weeks when the Board isn't meeting. Under instructions from the

 

Director, employees were told not to attend Board meetings.  They are also told not to talk to

 

the Commissioners.  Why?

 

 

The Village of Oak Lawn turned down the law firm the Worth Park District hired

 

because they could not afford their fees.  How could Worth Park District afford the

 

fees?  This was another thing that the current President was going to change and

 

did not.

 

 

Is it time for the Attorney General of the State of Illinois to be made aware of the way 

 

the Worth Park District is being run?

 

 

 

                                                                 James E. Kennelly

                                                                 Former President Worth Park District