W-W Home Up Warrenville Mayor Financial Responsibility W-W VP Letter to FP FP Bears Watching Insufficient Homework FP in Peril Values & Economy Entirely Unsuitable FP to Discuss Truck Stop O'Hare Wetlands? Residents Decry Garage Stop Paving the FP DuPage Wildlife Found Blackwell Plan? Concerns Summary Wasteful Practices No Public Notice Due Diligence? Wildlife in Danger 1700 Petitions Rec'vd

Insufficient examination of this project to justify a $7.5 million expenditure

To: DuPage County Forest Preserve District Commissioners

I write in opposition to the Fleet Maintenance Facility that is proposed for the Blackwell Forest Preserve. I have spoken on two occasions at the Tuesday morning public sessions of the Board of Commissioners meetings.  I have made the point that there has been insufficient examination of this project to justify a $7.5 million expenditure. I attach my notes of those comments for your consideration.

I have been advised that the Forest Preserve District expects this project to enable it to save in the order of $250,000 per year. While I recognize that the Forest Preserve District is not a business, it is instructive to analyze any capital project as if it were. This project has a rate of return of 3.3%. Without discounting for inflation, the investment will take 30 years to pay for itself. This is not an investment that anyone in his or her own business would make. The taxpayers of DuPage County expect greater attention to how their funds are spent.

I understand there is a sense of urgency to proceed in order that advantage can be taken of what is perceived as an advantageous time to let a contract. I do not accept this urgency. Any project of this magnitude should proceed only after appropriate investigation and the Board determines it is the best project in the circumstances. There is no public confidence that this is the best project. Indeed, this is the only project that has been considered.

I urge the Board to put off any decision to proceed until a thorough examination of the multitude of issues that this project raises has been completed and the public has been consulted on the alternatives.

Respectfully,

Terry McBride
Bender Lane

W-W Home Up Warrenville Mayor Financial Responsibility W-W VP Letter to FP FP Bears Watching Insufficient Homework FP in Peril Values & Economy Entirely Unsuitable FP to Discuss Truck Stop O'Hare Wetlands? Residents Decry Garage Stop Paving the FP DuPage Wildlife Found Blackwell Plan? Concerns Summary Wasteful Practices No Public Notice Due Diligence? Wildlife in Danger 1700 Petitions Rec'vd

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