The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
|
|
Weekly eNews - January 4, 2024 |
|
Mayor's Message
“When you do the things in the present that you can see, you are shaping the future thing you are yet to see.”
- Idowu Koyenikan
Welcome to 2024!
As we were approaching the New Year, someone asked me if I could come up with a catchy phrase that would stand as our motto for the New Year. Immediately, my mind started coming up with rhymes that we could use such as “Darien will do more in 24,” or “Darien residents will see more in 24.” When I thought about this, I laughed and immediately thought “how corny” these phrases are, and they do nothing to assist us as we plan our city’s goals for the coming year. The issues that we can identify early in 2024 as well as those that will occur over the next twelve months will pose some serious challenges to our elected officials, administration, staff and our residents, and we need to take a detailed approach as we lay out our planning for the year.
Here at the City of Darien, we are always planning for our city’s future; when we begin our budget process next month, we will construct a budget document that not only covers our revenue and expenditures over the Fiscal Year 25, it will show transfers to our Capital Projects Fund over the next three fiscal years. The Capital Project Fund includes items in our City’s Capital Improvement Plan which is a multi-year plan identifying capital projects to be funded or identified during a three-year planning period. This demonstrates that it is not so much to have a plan, as it is to be continuously planning throughout the year and into the future. We conduct an extensive planning process as we choose not to be reactionary, but rather proactive in our approach to governing your city.
As we progress through the coming year, we will do so without the catchy phrases, and take a long-term look at our city’s future. As early as late January, we will put out a RFP or Request for Proposals to companies that conduct strategic planning in municipalities such as Darien. Strategic Planning is a process followed by many municipalities, and our goal is to develop a Strategic Plan that will take us through the next four years. The strategic planning process will include data from different stakeholders and will ask staff, elected officials, key committees and organizations as well as the public for their input. While this process will provide goals for our future growth, we will be mindful of events that may impact their implementation.
We have been and always will be planning for a better future for our city, and developing a Strategic Plan is one way of ensuring that the City of Darien continues to grow and maintain its status as “a nice place to live.”
|
|
Economic Development Committee Meeting Canceled
The Economic Development Committee meeting scheduled for January 4 is canceled. Find future meetings and more on the Community Calendar!
|
|
Christmas Tree Collection
LRS collects live Christmas trees the first two weeks of January at no charge. Trees placed out after that time will require prepayment and prescheduling.
- Remove all materials from the tree prior to disposal, including ornaments, tinsel, lights etc.
- Christmas trees cannot be in plastic bags or wrapped in plastic – will not be collected
- All wreaths and roping must be included with normal trash on residents’ normal collection day
- Any trees that are over 7ft tall would need to be cut in half to have it removed
|
|
Be a Good Neighbor
Just a friendly reminder, please pick up after your dog. We are fortunate to have many sweet pups in our community; but if you don’t watch your step, you’re liable to step in a reminder of all those furry friends!
Besides being unsightly and smelly, animal waste can be hazardous to the health of our children who play in the community and to other pets. One of the most common forms of disease transmission between dogs is through fecal matter. Always take a baggie along on every walk to pick up your dog's waste immediately and dispose of it properly.
By taking a few simple steps to clean up after your pet, you can contribute not only to the beautification of our community, but also towards the elimination of one of the most irritating nuisances in our community. Please keep in mind that if you are spotted not cleaning-up after your pet, you may be fined for a violation of Darien’s public nuisance code. Thank you for your cooperation!
|
|
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 9th is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to showing our support for law enforcement officers and staff in our community and across the nation.
Thank you to all those who have served in the past and those who continue to serve our community. You make Darien a Nice Place to Live!
|
|
Du-Comm Now Accepting Applications for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators
DuPage Public Safety Communications (DU-COMM) is now accepting applications for the position of 9-1-1 Telecommunicator II. DU-COMM is among the largest consolidated 9-1-1 communications centers within the state of Illinois. DU-COMM is a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week operation serving 44 Fire/Police/EMS agencies throughout DuPage County. DU-COMM is recruiting qualified applicants to join our team.
Telecommunicator job duties include answering 9-1-1 telephones, transmitting vital information to emergency personnel via the radio, relaying information via the Computer-Aided Dispatch terminal, monitoring fire/burglar alarms, and answering administrative lines serving the police/fire personnel. More information is available at www.ducomm.org. |
|
January is Radon Action Month
According to EPA estimates, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.
If you haven't tested your home in the past two years, learn how to order and use an at home test here. Keep your loved ones safe! |
|
Be Prepared for Power Outages
Winter storms can be just as dangerous as hurricane season & may cause power outages. Stock your emergency kit with plenty of warm clothes, blankets, batteries, water & non-perishable food. Create a plan for medical devices that use electricity & meds that need refrigerated. Find resources for planning here and get prepared!
If you are in need of a warming shelter, Indian Prairie Library (401 Plainfield Road, Darien) is available during business hours. Click here for additional nearby locations. |
|
|
|
LIHEAP Utility Assistance
Call (630) 407-6500 now to schedule an appointment if you have a disconnection notice, or a household member who is 60+ years old, has a disabling condition, or is under the age of 6. Call 211 for application sites near you.
|
|
Be in the Know - Help Spread the Word
Darien’s Direct Connect E-Newsletter (DC) is the City’s primary source of information for residents and businesses. Please tell your friends and neighbors about DC, forward this email to them, and ask them to sign up. Signing up is simple and can be done here. |
|
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events! |
|
January 8, 6:30 pm: Argonne National Laboratory: Engaging the Region’s Innovation Ecosystem, St. John Lutheran Church: link
January 24, 6:00 p.m.: Darien Garden Club Sprouts Meeting: "Who's Who of Owls" (sponsored by Rotary Club of Darien): link
Register by February 10: Darien Woman’s Club 2024 Creative Youth Art Fair: link
|
|
Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
|
|
|
Darien Events and Happenings |
|
Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
|
|
Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!
|
|
|
(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
|
|
Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
