Mark Pfefferman's Blog

Glen Ellyn president starts term with changes

2009-06-03T15:36:00.011-05:00

Hello! Below is a recent Daily Herald article about some subtle changes implemented in Glen Ellyn. Thanks, Mark

By Nadia Malik, 5.29.09.

Glen Ellyn residents were treated to something a little different when new Village President Mark Pfefferman presided over a board meeting this week.

He read a description of the village board and ways residents can participate, which he said he plans to read before every meeting to give newcomers an overview of the proceedings. "It describes what our purpose is all about," he said. "My preference is always for more transparency."

Pfefferman also stayed after the meeting to allow for questions from the media and introduced the idea of inviting service organizations in town to lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance at the bi-weekly meetings and then give a three-minute description of what the group does.

Pfefferman also threw out the notion of sponsoring video broadcasts of the meetings for any interested businesses or groups.

The changes are some of the subtle differences Pfefferman has been working on since he was sworn in as president on May 11.

Since then, the village board workshop, which usually is not taped, was broadcast on television and on the Internet. It was another campaign promise Pfefferman had made to ensure the village board's actions are available to the public.

The next change he hopes to make is to install a finance committee. Pfefferman has said he'd like the committee to take a long-term look at the village's budget and suggest solutions to repeal a sales tax that was instituted this year.

The village attorney clarified the parameters of a finance committee Tuesday, saying Pfefferman also has the opportunity to have a series of advisers that don't necessarily form a village commission.

The board has discussed the proposal already but won't make any decisions on a finance committee until details are worked out.

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Speech at First Board Meeting...

2009-05-12T21:29:00.009-05:00

Here is the speech I made after being sworn in as village president at the May 11, 2009 Glen Ellyn Village Board meeting...

“Good evening.

“Glen Ellyn is 175 years young. When I look out into the audience, I see everything that is right with our village. There are people who have attended this demonstration of cooperative transition of government for many years, and those of you who are attending for the first time. We are a village steeped in tradition that is constantly changing. We realize that to honor the past we must keep moving forward.

“There is a positive energy in our village. You are a part of that. Thank you for caring enough to be here or watch from home and for making our town a priority...”

The complete speech is online as a three-page pdf file.

Welcome!

2009-05-01T18:50:00.012-05:00

Welcome to my Blog! I'll be posting my personal thoughts and ideas here, and you're invited to add your comments.

Thanks to everyone who “Checked Mark” at the April 7^THGeneral Election! Please accept my sincere appreciation. I am truly honored and grateful.

I hope to use this unofficial, non-governmental web site to keep in touch with you above and beyond village meetings, workshops. and other more formal methods of communication, Please stop back soon, I expect to be adding much more about where we might go and what we can do in the future!

In the meantime, you’ll find a great deal of information here that went online during the campaign — please feel free to peruse my platform outlining the basic positions I hold on a number of Village issues, answers to questions residents asked on the Glen Ellyn Bulletin Board, and a résumé detailing my background and experience.

Two short and informal vidoos aro still online — one from March (“What’s Next?”) and an earlier one from February (“Meet Mark!”). The more formal CBP video from last November is still available. There is also a page recapping newspaper and magazine articles from the media.

My pre-election Newsletters are here, and Contact information is at the bottom of every page.

Many with whom I have served in the past were kind enough to write “Letters to the Editors” endorsing my campaign. Here are a few — their opinions were very much appreciated.

Finally, the official municipal Glen Ellyn web site is at GlenEllyn.org.

Again, thank you for you trust and support! I pledge to give my very best in serving all residents of our wonderful village.

—Mark