Politics & Government

Plainfield Township Votes No Confidence on Park District Board

More criticism for the park board amid recent controversies.

Citing concerns over Plainfield Township's senior programming partnership with the Plainfield Park District, the township board unanimously passed a vote of "no confidence" in the current park district board.

The vote came after months of controversy at the park district, from the hiring — and subsequent resignation — of Village of Plainfield Trustee Garrett Peck as executive director to several staffing shakeups to accusations of kickbacks and nepotism against board majority members.

Township trustees approved the resolution on Wednesday, making it clear their beef if with the board, not with the staff. The park district and township share a senior coordinator, Kathy Whalen, and partner to offer programs for senior citizens.

"As a board, we have all been individually approached by some of our constituents and residents with concerns about the Plainfield Park District Board," township Supervisor Tony Fremarek said, noting that Whalen "does a phenomenal job, and I know that our seniors feel the same way.

"... It is my opinion that we have some concerns about the direction [of the Plainfield Park District board] and we want to make sure that partnership continues in a healthy manner," Fremarek said.

Trustee Ernie Knight also expressed concern over associating the township with a board that "clearly is hostile to our out customers, our own constituents," he said, citing what he called "the lack of communication, the real hostility toward any kind of feedback from residents."

Trustee Matthew Starr, who spoke up at a Feb. 4 Plainfield Park District meeting to criticize commissioner Janet Silosky in particular, also stressed that the vote was not a slam against park district staff.

"This resolution is in no way a reflection on you, Kathy," he told the senior coordinator.

Residents in attendance at the meeting applauded following the 5-0 vote.

Prior to the vote, park district Director of Recreation Cheryl Crisman spoke up on behalf of her staff.

"Our senior programs continue to be extremely popular," she said, adding she hopes to see the park district-township partnership continue.

Click for video of Wednesday's Plainfield Township board meeting.


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