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" Not sure that there is a solution to 'those in office that don't belong.' As you infer...many are thankless which means many don't want the bother. Public servants, who actually serve the public without ego, are few and far between. Not saying they don't exist...just not many. I'm afraid I can't answer the issues involving Chatsworth....I can only speak to those that I know. Our local water supply could only support about 30-40 more residences based on what our water company tells us. That, limits our ability for development. We don't have sanitary sewer which most large industries need, and it is not an overnight process. As far as taxation, taxing bodies don't set your/our EAVs, and really our only saviour for higher taxes is hoping that taxing bodies stay within their 105% of their previous levy. Doesn't mean they can't take more without a public hearing, but really, how effective are those public hearings when they are conducted?? "

" So, how do the water supply problems you mentioned relate to, for example, the planned subdivision 2 and a half miles from Chatsworth. Two miles, actually, but the village is going half a mile to 3/4 a mile farther east than necessary to provide services to two or three property owners along the road to Germanville to "motivate" them to sign annexation papers. What kind of strain will the planned 800 or so residences bring? Meantime, what happens to property taxes for everyone else? Already there's a 12 per cent higher assessment, which, if the assessment is based on 1/3 of the "market" value of the property, means the hike is more like 33 per cent. HOw much higher can we expect "elected" boards to request in cases like this? Of course, prices are going up on everything and the longer the Oliver's Crossing subdivision is delayed, the more it's going to cost to lay the water and sewer lines 2 and a half miles. How much extra does a half mile of trenching and piping cost? "

" I wrote: "and especially the individual voters and even non voters shouldn't be in on the decision, planning and influence" I meant that they SHOULD be. There are too many uncontested in elections officials in office. It's really not their fault. There are apparently not enough people interested in what looks like a complicated and thankless job and if it wouldn't be for the "power to rule" there's not much more incentive to try to hold office. It's more complex than that, of course, but I'd appreciate some "blogging" or "input" or comments and maybe a solution or two to the problem of getting stuck with people on boards who don't belong there. "

" I would like to respectfully disagree with the point made about sanitary sewer and water issues being easily resolved. Establishing a sanitary sewer It is a long drawn out process that can take years to get accomplished. Just ask Cornell Mayor Ron Helander about EPA issues!! Small towns would limited based on volume. Also...small communities are limited in regards of water, not by their ability to get it, but by the amount they are able to get! Dwight couldn't provide enough water on their own for an ethanol plant. Some of these towns are limited by their water source and sometimes that water source can only supply just enough for the hookups that are existing. Mother nature is the one that puts limitations on smaller communities that rely on underground sources. "

" I do appreciate all the concern about our efforts. Our Mayors group wouldn't put its stamp on it if we didn't feel that it couldn't work. This proposal would have an overall Board of Directors made up of the 43. From that, it is our intent to establish an Executive Board of 11, that would include the elected officers of the board, and 7 other Board members. This Executive Committee would be charged with overseeing day-to-day operations of the Association. The proposed by-laws are just that at this point...proposed. Our intent is to work a proposed by-laws into an approved document. There is no doubt that egos will need to be put into check, and we're not naive enough to think that there won't be those types of issues....but in that same thought, our elected leaders have made the commitment to do so, knowing that potential of the end result will have a positive impact for our county. We're looking past local 'borders' to the big picture and it is our hope that everyone else will come along for the ride. Is it a shallow hope....possibly, but a hope nonetheless. "

" Appoint the same number of people from each village, town or city on the "committee" of 43, development board or whatever you call it. That way each town has an equal "power", vote, influence or whatever you want to call that. It's not like you're creating an all powerful board that makes all the decisions and the rest of the already in place "authorities"(planning commission, county and other boards,appointed and ad hoc committees involved) and especially the individual voters and even non voters shouldn't be in on the decision, planning and influence. We're still seeking a democracy in this county and too many of too few have too much power over too many of us. "

" I appreciate your erudite answer and am not arguing with it. It's a new ballgame and a lot of continued reinventing the wheel will be necessary. This isn't exactly the first time leaders have gotten together. This is not to minimize efforts, sincerity, hard work. hindsight and foresight of the Livingston County Mayor's Association. The process of forming associations, organizations and their committees opens doors to abuse by exclusivity. Now, let's hope they don't restrict it to the"ol' boy" network and do let a few newcomers and even "controversial" people contribute their ideas or think being questioned is "combative." I think this mayor's association is going to help the area a lot and they'd be wise to listen to newcomers as well as the"established" power brokers before the enthusiasm of the newcomers dwindles. I suspect most people don't realize how much power heads of boards and "trustees" have. Another hope is those in power learn how to use it for the benefit of all and not just a chosen few. "

" Check the history of the county and you'll see smaller communities being passed by consistently as Pontiac, mostly, got most of the development. Sewer and water and other needs can easily be met in the smaller communities. Many are being by-passed although they have much to offer. I'm glad the mayors are finally working together as they were asked to do many times, including years ago by the Hiway 24 Association(2000?) and requested by a lot of other people long before that and since. Many of the successful actions on ideas from the people in that association have been put into practice across the state and especially in Pontiac and Fairbury. Forrest's Wabash Days and restoration of that hotel donated to them a few years ago and the turntable area are highly laudable and apparently being done without help from the County. Chatsworth and other villages aren't exactly standing still as wind energy, bio fuel and other industry and subdivision developers look at what they have to offer. Some of that growth will happen with or without the Mayor's association. "

" How will 43 members come to consensus on an issue before the organization, when 24 LC Board Members could not reach agreement on OPERATING Livingston Manor Nursing Home? They finally agreed on the latest proposal to "sell" to a private organization and "get out of the Nursing Home Business". They admitted to a lack of expertise in operating a county-run Nursing Home and some members displayed a lack of will to support the deficits by their votes. Sorry to bring this to the Front again, but what does this say about our county and how they feel about all of its citizens? Doesn't this carry weight in the decision-making of industry to locate in an area? "

" To correct your assumption..every community will have one Municipal representative on the Board of Directors. The 'inequality' you assume is from the 19 At-Large positions that will be made up of Private Sector appointees. Pontiac, Fairbury & Dwight have a much larger pool to choose from in this regard than all the remaining areas. This isn't 'Us vs. Them', at least in the eyes of your elected officials. The Mayors Association President is from one of the smallest communities in the county and not from the 'Big 3.' What's good for one, is good for the other. The larger communities are the ones that have the resources to make major economic development activities happen. Some smaller communities don't have adequate water supplies or sanitary sewer, etc. If Pontiac, Fairbury or Dwight, sites a new industry in the next 3 years....great...I don't care which one would get it, I just know that members of my community could benefit. How are the others not being treated fairly, and how are they not getting their fair share when it comes to the topic??? "

" Yeah, I know how to spell coordinate. My key board doesn't! "

" when they say, "power of the press?" "Your comment has been submitted and will be viewable once it is approved. " "

" It's great these people are finally coming together to cooridnate growth. They should have done this years ago, but we should be grateful, I guess they are doing something now. Once again, some towns will be more equal than others...specially Pontiac, Dwight and Fairbury, which is not much change in the power structure. Each of those towns will have 2 or 3 representatives(that is, votes) on the "authority." This, while the smaller towns only have one representative. We can accurately guess that the smaller towns will be like that proverbial runt trying to get milk from the mamma dawg. I say give the smaller towns the same number of representatives on this "authority." That way all towns will be treated equally or can, in times one group is trying to take all, unite and outvote them. It's time the smaller towns in Livingston County got their fair share. "