Excerpts from the Daily Herald:
Residents of Warrenville may soon have a say in how their fire protection district is governed. A ballot question, set for April 7, will ask voters whether the three trustees on the Warrenville Fire Protection District board should be elected or appointed. Currently, these positions are filled by appointment from the DuPage County Board Chairman.
William Mennell, a local resident and president of the fire protection district board, has been one of the leading voices behind the initiative. He collected over 1,600 signatures to bring the issue to the ballot. “As citizens, we don’t have much say in who represents us,†Mennell said. “The people should have the right to choose who spends their tax dollars.†Despite his position on the board, Mennell emphasized that the push for this change comes from residents, not from the board itself.
The idea of consolidating fire services across DuPage County has been discussed for years. In 2012, a consulting firm recommended that the county work with local fire districts to explore consolidation options. Warrenville was among those examined. However, the firm found the district to be financially stable and capable of maintaining its current level of service. Mennell argues that consolidation isn’t necessary here. “In some cases, it might help,†he said. “But our belief is that bigger isn’t always better.â€
However, DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin has a different perspective. He praised the efforts of those pushing for the ballot question but warned voters to consider the motivations behind it. “County officials have been working to bring more transparency and accountability to the fire protection district,†Cronin said. “Unfortunately, they’ve resisted these efforts.â€
Cronin pointed out that the district adopted the county’s ethics policy but refused to sign an intergovernmental agreement that would make it enforceable. Additionally, the county has repeatedly encouraged Warrenville to join the West Suburban Fire/Rescue Alliance, which aims to improve response times and share resources. So far, the district has shown no interest, according to Cronin. “They just want to run things their way,†he said. “Whether the trustees are elected or appointed doesn’t matter to me—what matters is that the district is efficient and safe.â€
Mennell, however, says the district already collaborates with other departments to share equipment and services. Kate Perkins, a former trustee supporting the ballot measure, added that having elected representatives is crucial if the district ever faces a consolidation proposal. “If we keep appointed trustees, we won’t have a voice,†she said. “They’ll answer to Dan Cronin, because he’s the one who appoints them.â€
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