Darien Direct Connect E-Newsletter: February 29, 2024

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from the City of Darien.

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Weekly eNews - February 29, 2024

Mayor's Message

“I learned that things don’t always turn out the way you planned, or the way you think they should. And I’ve learned that there are things that go wrong that don’t always get fixed or get put back together the way they were before. I’ve learned that some things stay broken, and I’ve learned that you can get through bad times and keep looking for better ones as long as you have people who love you." - Jennifer Weiner

I had an opportunity this week to briefly reminisce with an individual who was raised in the same community where we both attended the same Catholic elementary and high school. While we had these common elements in our lives, we really did not know each other in our growing up years except for a few people we each knew in elementary school, and our experiences regarding teachers that we had at the high school level. As we discussed our growing up experiences, the topic turned to our families, and the expectations that our parents held for our future success. Each of us grew up in an Italian household where we were expected to achieve high academic standards, take on tasks around the house and assume part time and full time employment in order to pay for our high school and college tuition. We each worked factory jobs at various times in order, per our fathers, to learn the value of hard work. Each of us attained leadership positions in our work careers, and each of us attained the position of mayor in our communities.

There is a saying that “Disappointment is a temporary detour on the road to success,” and while I can look back on my upbringing and my career, there were instances when life threw me a few curveballs, and decisions had to be made as to future choices for my family and my career. I truly believe that we are all the composite of our life experiences, and good or bad, our life experiences mold us into the people we are today. Those life experiences have truly impacted who I am today, and while my mother and father have been gone almost twenty years, I would like to believe that they would be happy by what I have achieved in my life.

As I reflect back on the past seventy-four years of my life, I have adopted a philosophy that “There comes a time in your life when you have to choose to turn the page, write another book or simply close it.” I have been realistic in understanding that there would be pitfalls in my life that I knew I could never fix, and simply had to accept the fact that life provided me with certain losses that I needed to understand and grow from in the future. Despite the downturns in my life there has always been one constant that has pulled me through difficult times, and that is the love of my family and friends. We all live with certain expectations placed on us by our parents, employers, ourselves or by others, and when we miss the mark, hopefully, we find the right path, and because we are not immune from setting expectations for others, we need to remember as Donald Miller states, “when you stop expecting people to be perfect, you can see them for who they are.”

Scam Alert: Be careful if offered a “free roof inspection”

Roofing scams tend to pop up after big storms. The BBB often receives reports of shady “free” roof inspections. Homeowners should know how to recognize these cons and always hire businesses they can trust. More information.

There are currently no active Solicitor’s Licenses in Darien, so no one should be out soliciting. The City has had several roofing companies apply for a Solicitor License today, but the process takes up to ten days. Please call 911 if you are approached so that an officer can respond to the area.

Congratulations Hinsdale South

Girls Basketball Lady Hornets

The Hinsdale South Girls Basketball team are the SUPER SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS and the Lady Hornets are headed to Illinois State University for the FINAL FOUR! The game is Friday, March 1 at 9:30 a.m. Good luck, ladies!

Food Pantry Collection

In celebration of our 2024 Citizen of the Year, Valerie Kazich, items will be collected for a food drive at the Citizen of the Year event (see below). Items collected will be donated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel food pantry in Darien. If you are unable to attend the dinner, donations can be dropped off at Darien City Hall. Find out what items the pantry is collecting here.

Get Emergency Alerts from the

Darien Police Department

In our continuing effort to keep Darien residents informed, the Darien Police Department is introducing Emergency Notifications via text. Please visit our Direct Connect Signup page and provide your cell phone number to receive text notifications in case of an emergency. These texts will be sent at any time (day and night) when an incident within the City may impact the community (e.g. police activity, accidents where there are road closures, etc.). There is no cost to sign up for this service. The Police Department will continue to use X/Twitter for non-urgent notifications.

Severe Weather Week - March 4 - 8

March 4 -8 is Severe Weather Week. Severe weather can strike any time of the year. Are you prepared? Follow these ready.gov tips and be ready for any weather that comes our way this spring:

Talk with your kids about severe weather and know the facts.
Make a plan to connect during severe weather by text, e-mail, social media & cell.
Only travel if necessary, keep phones charged, check on neighbors, & bring pets indoors.
Pack an emergency kit for each person and pet traveling in your car in case evacuations are ordered.
Drills aren’t just for your toolbox. Practice emergency drills with your family regularly.
Make sure your business has a plan for severe weather.

Election Signs

As a reminder, election and other temporary signs are not permitted on City property. The City does remove and dispose of signs on a daily basis. Many of these signs are placed on roadways and the road rights-of-way and violate city code section 4-3-8-S: EXEMPT SIGNS. Election signs on county roads, such as 75th Street, Plainfield Road, Cass Avenue and Lemont Road are regulated by DuPage County and not the City.

Vehicle Stickers Now Available

Rotary Club of Darien 2024 vehicle stickers are available at both City Hall and the Police Department for a $3 donation. Vehicle stickers are not required by the City, they are offered each year by community service organizations as a fundraiser for the organization.

Safe from Scams: Protecting Seniors

and their Assets

DuPage County Board recently hosted a seminar, "Safe from Scams: Protecting Seniors and their Assets." It's full of useful information for seniors, caregivers and family members from the county's Recorder, Treasurer, State's Attorney, Sheriff, and Information Technology departments, and it gives information on how to avoid scams and fraud aimed at senior citizens and the elderly. The seminar teaches people how to spot common scams including phone, internet, dating and social media schemes. They provide tips on keeping your money secure and learn how to report financial fraud if they suspect you are a victim. Watch the seminar here.

City Council Meeting - March 4

Municipal Services will meet on Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall at 1702 Plainfield Road.

The agenda will be posted here.

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting Cancelled

The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 6 has been cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for March 20. Check out the Community Calendar for all future meetings and events.

Economic Development Committee Meeting - Rescheduled

The Economic Development Committee meeting scheduled for March 7 has been rescheduled for March 14. Check the community calendar for future meeting information.

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