Many candidates for public office make statements or commitments that are

 

reasonable and attainable, but most of them fall by the wayside after the election.

 

A good example can be found in the 2007 campaign literature of Worth Park

 

District President, Steve Werner, who in my opinion did not strive to achieve the following:

 

 

     "Be fiscally responsible"

 

     "Do not spend or extract unreasonable amounts of money from the Historical

      Museum"

 

     "Promote harmony and good relations between management and employees"

 

     "Preserve and promote the Historical Museum"

 

 

Instead he and his fellow Commissioners relinquished the responsibility and

 

authority vested in them by the voters and taxpayers of Worth by hiring an

 

Executive Director who has dictatorial powers, including hiring, firing, policy and

 

expenditure of funds, apparently without oversight or approval of the Park Board.

 

In the past two years the Historical Museum had approximately 300 Visitors, 68

 

of which were non-residents and 6 from out of State,  plus many other adults and

 

children who enjoyed the Museum's Tours and Programs.

 

The success of the Museum can be attributed to its dedicated volunteers and

 

especially to their former Curator of 10 years, Christine Brooks, who  

 

resigned because of, in her words, a "toxic environment and the oppressive

 

attitude” of the Worth Park District Executive Director.

 

Perhaps it's time for our Park Board to rethink its impeccable strategy!

 

                                                          Dan Kumingo

                                                         former Mayor of Worth and

                                                         Museum Volunteer since 1995