The following is a letter mailed to the Chairman of the County Board, several residents affected by their "intrusions," and the Daily Herald.

July 25, 2006

Dear Chairman Schillerstrom,

This letter concerns the "intrusions" onto the right-of-way of the Illinois Prairie Path, the Great Western Path, and other paths. Based on the information available, it appears that the County's actions relative to these "intrusions" range from outright removal to negotiated permission to remain.

I suggest the time is right to establish a procedure that would allow for public review, balanced outcome, and County Board determination. This procedure would be followed for each intrusion.

I recommend that the following procedure be adopted by the County Board. It would provide the opportunity for public review of intrusions on an individual basis. A priority ranking could be established with intrusions that have the greatest safety hazard, the greatest flooding problem, the most complaints, or other reasons. The intrusions with the highest ranking could be reviewed first. A public hearing would be conducted to hear a Staff review of the pros and cons related to the intrusion, the owner's written/verbal information, and citizen's comments. The materials and minutes from the public hearing would be forwarded to a County Board Committee. That committee's recommendation would be forwarded to the County Board. The County Board would then make the final determination.

This procedure would provide several benefits:

• Owners would be given an opportunity to be heard and to present information.
• The owner's investment and the public benefit would be considered.
• Citizens would have the opportunity to be present and to be informed of the input, process and decisions.
• The County Board, as the representatives of the public, would make the final decision.
• The major intrusions would be addressed.
• An open process would be established.
• A history and record of the review and decisions would be available for future consideration and review.

I hope you will consider these changes.
Sincerely,

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Richard L. Dunn
470 Fawell Boulevard #112 · Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
630-605-1019 · www.RLDunn.com · Richard@RLDunn.com