From the pages of Herald-News.com:
The union representing firefighters in the Homer Township Fire Protection District is pushing hard to put a referendum question on the November ballot. This proposed measure would enable residents of the district to vote for their fire trustees, rather than having them appointed by the Homer Township Board of Trustees.
David Curtis, president of the Homer Township Professional Firefighters union, announced that union members had voted unanimously in support of this initiative. Curtis explained that the union aims to engage more directly with potential trustees, allowing them to endorse candidates and foster clearer communication between residents and the board. “Currently, we lack a direct line to the existing trustees,†Curtis stated. “We’re forced to relay messages through the fire chief, which limits our ability to work collaboratively.â€
Curtis elaborated on the responsibilities of the fire trustees, noting that they supervise the fire chief, hire administrative staff, ensure financial oversight, and approve equipment purchases. These trustees convene monthly and are selected by the Homer Township Board of Trustees. To qualify for placement on the November 8 ballot, supporters will need to gather approximately 1,200 signatures—equivalent to 10% of the district's registered voters.
So far, Curtis mentioned, no opposition has surfaced against the proposal. In fact, neighboring fire departments such as those in New Lenox, Lemont, and Orland already have elected fire boards, which lends credibility to the idea.
Mark Lobes, secretary of the Homer Township fire board, expressed neutrality regarding the referendum. However, he emphasized his desire for better communication with the firefighters' union. Lobes disclosed that the board first became aware of the union's initiative a few weeks ago via an update from Fire Chief Bob Tutko. Despite this, no direct dialogue has occurred between the union and the board.
“I’m hopeful we’ll hear from the union soon,†Lobes remarked. He also pointed out that voter engagement is already reflected in the current appointee system, since township trustees—who select the fire board—are themselves elected officials. According to Lobes, the fire board is designed to be inclusive, with members drawn from diverse professional backgrounds and geographic areas within the district, including Lockport, Homer Glen, and Homer Township.
Furthermore, Lobes argued that the current appointee model minimizes political bias. “The board is deliberately nonpartisan,†he stressed.
Pam Meyers, Homer Township supervisor, echoed this sentiment, saying she sees no issue with the existing arrangement. Nevertheless, she remained open to considering changes if the referendum were to pass. Should the referendum qualify for the ballot and gain voter approval, residents could start electing their own fire trustees beginning in 2017.
This story highlights ongoing discussions within Homer Township about governance structures and the potential impact of shifting to an elected fire board. Stay tuned for further updates!
3-Wheelers Electric Tricycles,Energy-Efficient 3-Wheelers Electric Tricycles,Stable And Reliable 3-Wheelers Electric Tricycles,Highly Stable 3-Wheelers Electric Tricycles
Jiangsu Hanbang Vehicle Industry Co.,Ltd , https://www.meiditricycle.com