Craig Bobowiec
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Comments
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On the article 13 Hope to Fill St. Charles 3rd Ward Vacancy
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On the article Review the March 14's Live-Blog Coverage of the St. Charles Aldermanic Forum
Craig Bobowiec
6:35 am on Friday, March 15, 2013
ReplyIt really was a great discussion of sincere caring residents who all would make good Alderman. I almost wish we could simply appointment them all and loose a few of the current. These folks got along and discussed issues with vision, honesty and thoughtful ideas. The 3 who couldn't make missed a great opportunity. I am also very proud of how this campaign two resident groups stepped up and put together two well needed forums for both Mayoral and Aldermanic candidates and made it all for the residents without having to provide questions ahead of time to candidates as was the other evening. It made for true honest answers instead of planned written statements. Good work 2R2R & CCSS be proud of your efforts.
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On the article Enter Patch’s Cutest Couple Contest!
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On the Blog Post Communication, Controversy, and City Planning
Craig Bobowiec
2:07 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
ReplyBrian,
i respect your explanation here and where you state plainly your comments do not represent the Plan Commission that is right for you to do. I just think in the future on any of your blogs, articles, speeches you need to continue to clear that issue up at the very beginning, so everyone reading or listening can do so with the full understanding of where these comments come from. I guess you are correct in your describing your role as an appointment, personally I look at it as I am volunteering my time and giving back to my City. Appointment for me sounds too "formal" as I do give the Historic Commission my best but it's not that serious to me, more it's fun, and rewarding contributing to my City and to those that we educate and help with their projects.
I just ask again, that if you choose to use my personal efforts in these other issues, do so as resident Craig Bobowiec. When I speak out trying to protect the better good of my neighborhood or City I am in no way doing so as a Historic Commissiom member. I am not nor are you or David in a "paid or elected" position with the City so I do disagree that we are not allowed to step out of our Commission hats when issues impact our personal lives. I guess we can agree to disagree on this. But when I walk out of my meetings, I become Craig Bobowiec human being and resident of St. Charles, although I do so with the respect that at times I do represent the City and conduct myself accordingly. -
On the Blog Post Communication, Controversy, and City Planning
Craig Bobowiec
2:23 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
ReplyTed, Brian may have meant no harm, but when he has to always attach his "Planning Commission Member" Title to his speeches, letters, blogs or articles, it can and does confuse people as to is what he saying coming from the Planning Commission or not? Why then the need to attach that title on everything? I realize (and I am not belittling or implying anything here towards Brian or David" some people need to for lack of better terms "Enhance their ego" by constantly having to use these meaningless titles on everything they write as if they feel important or gain more integrity to their views and comments. Each of us wears these hats twice per month on average, it is a very small part of our lives.
Even though I have over 13 years on the Commission, have attended serval seminars on preservation, helped write the Commission's "Design Guidelines" and for over 30 years owned and restored several very old properties, two of which are St. Charles Landmarks, I do not feel I am any expert or that my views or opinions are somehow stronger because of the Commission Title. For me, I think it wrong to use theseTitles publically unless you are authorized by your commission to do so and are speaking on behalf of them. I speak as a"concerned citizen" and "tax payer". He is free to handle it however he chooses. I simply didn't want to be compared in that fashion because that is not how I operate nor do I agree with it. Simple as that Ted. -
On the Blog Post Communication, Controversy, and City Planning
Craig Bobowiec
1:06 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
ReplyIf you have been authorized by the Planning Commission to indeed speak on their behalf and these opinions your have are exactly what all other members do feel, then say that clearly and upfront in your articles and blogs. I personally would never think to use my Preservation Title when speaking my personal views on these personal issues. First of all I have not been authorized to do so, I wouldn't want in anyway to embarrass, offend or imply to any degree my views are those of my fellow Commission members unless they asked to speak on their behalf. Brian I wear many varied hats, one of which is Commission Member, but also I am a father, a resident, property owner and business owner. Please never again assume or imply that when I come before you at Planning or the Council that I am ever speaking as a Historic Commission Member or on behalf of them. If I ever am, I will clearly make that known at that point. So going back to bringing my name into this as reason it makes what you may do OK, it is not the same, in any way shape or form. I do not and have not spoken or lobbyed as you say as a St. Charles Preservation Commission Memeber and I would ask that you please refrain from implying that I have or am doing so. Thanks Brian.
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On the Blog Post Communication, Controversy, and City Planning
Craig Bobowiec
12:57 pm on Monday, January 28, 2013
ReplyBrian, I see that you have raised my name and affiliation as a "Historic Preservation Commission" member in one of your blogs : "Craig Bobowiec (member, Historic Preservation Commission) lobbying City Council as they see fit.to" to try I guess, explain why you were going to speak before City Council. First of all Brian, my being a commission member has nothing to do with any of my appearances before the City Council, Planning and Development, Planning Commission or Comp Plan Committee. I have NEVER EVER used that "title" or "affiliation" once when speaking about issues in any public meeting at City Hall or ever in any public comments in newpaper articles or blogs as you constantly have done and continue to do. When I speak before any committee or council, I speak as Craig Bobowiec, citizen and resident of St. Charles....PERIOD! My views and opinions are mine as a private citizen not those of a Historic Preservation Memeber or on behalf of the Historic Commission. Let's get that absolutely clear here! I have never as you, imply or possibly lead people to believe (by constantly attaching that "Title" after your name here in the Patch and in other places) that your views may be those of the Planning Commission, or are somehow more credible because you sit on the commission. or that you might be speaking on behalf of the Commission.
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On the article St. Charles Mayoral Contenders Mixed on Rogina Notice Plan
Craig Bobowiec
2:06 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
ReplyTo add to Mr. Rogina's idea, I would suggest that if a plan such as this has sat unheard, even it had been passed in a prior forum like the Lexington PUD had been in the P&D Committee, it had never been formally discussed at Council level and it should have had at a minimum 1 public discussion. To add to this then as with this plan having sat unheard or discussed in detail for over 7 months, it should be mandatory that any project which has sat unheard for more then 45 days have at a minimum, a offer be raised before any vote to allow a discussion by Council members, developer or public. I live by the motto "If you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing" so if we want the most open and fair Goverment procedures, why would anyone be against simply making it that way. Taking one more meeting to allow this would not have impacted Lexington Homes at all. To my last comment about broadcasting meetings, it would also allow Council members who may miss a meeting to then completely be up to speed by watching what they missed and doesn't simply allow City staff to transcribe their taped minutes as they see fit. It holds everyone to their actual statements. All good things for the residents who after all own this City.
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On the article St. Charles Mayoral Contenders Mixed on Rogina Notice Plan
Craig Bobowiec
2:06 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2013
ReplyTed what I believe Charles meant was DeWitte's offer of public comment came "after" the votes were done which was meaningless. He offered the Lexington Rep to stand and speak but not the public prior to votes being taken.
I support what Rogina, Stein and Wyatt all have to say here and I think the City should take Council meetings a step further for the better good of St. Charles residents and cover them on a Public Access channel as other Cities already do. This allows those who can't make a meeting due to any reasons such as prior committments, illness, or as for seniors the ability to get to City Hall, to watch or to record it to view later, it also makes excellent public record of ALL statements by everyone archived for reference later if needed. It would also be a great learning tool for schools to be use in their classes that teach about politics and government. Boy would you see a change in behavior as well if all the Officials new they were being taped and archived! We could then eventually do it for all other meetings like Plan Commission, Housing, Commission and P&D. Why shouldn't the residents have this access and convience with today's technology?
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On the Blog Post Thank You For Your Support
Craig Bobowiec
5:32 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
ReplyThank you David for thinking and writing this. I too wish to personally thank those Alderman for their concerns, efforts and obvious intellegence to see that the plan that was passed could have and should have been better for the City of St. Charles and the residents who now will have to live with years of construction, and them a lifetime of neighborhood congestion and traffic on streets never designed to accomodate it. Thank you Ms. Lewis, Ms. Kreiger, Mr. Stellato, Mr. Turner and Mr. Rogina. I personally appreciate your efforts as do the others in our area.
Craig Bobowiec
6:35 am on Wednesday, May 22, 2013
That's a great point about candidates tied to construction. Let's keep conflicts out of our politics for once. It's also funny how when the seat is overed with no work or campaigning involved how many suddenly want the job. Vanderhayden should be chosen hands down for being the only person having made the effort and showing he truly was interested in the job by running for Council this spring. Picking anyone else would seem very questionable. Every other person on the list could have also shown their desires and didn't. Hands down Vanderhayden deserves the seat. In two years all these others can then show their true desire and committment and actually run for the seat.