Community: August 2009 Archives

Several public safety surveillance cameras are scheduled to be installed at various locations in Naperville's downtown, with the goal of having them operational by the end of October.

The city plans to install five fixed cameras at the Central Parking Facility, 75 E. Chicago Ave; and four movable cameras at four intersections: Washington Street and Jefferson Avenue, Main Street and Jackson Avenue, Main and Jefferson and Main and Chicago Avenue.

In addition, a public safety camera pod will be placed at the intersection of Washington and Chicago. The camera pod consists of five fixed cameras and one movable camera. While the fixed cameras continuously point in one direction, the movable camera provides the ability to focus on a particular location and record video should an incident take place. The camera pod will be placed at Washington Street and Chicago Avenue.

The city already has cameras at the Municipal Center, the Van Buren parking deck, downtown Metra station (Route 59 has cameras, which are under the jurisdiction of Aurora) and the city's auto test track.

The city says these cameras are needed to prevent crimes and to identify suspects when crimes are committed. What do you think of more government observation of public activities?

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1734740,Naperville-more-downtown-cameras_na082609.article

On Tuesday the City Council was set to consider pursuing a new ordinance that could lead to evicting Scott Huber from his home on the sidewalk in front of the Central Parking Facility on Chicago Avenue.

Huber has been living in that spot for the past eight years, and insists he is not in fact homeless but is living there as a form of protest against actions he feels deprived him of his home and employment.

Though he is not known for bothering passersby, some residents have complained of his presence to the city.

Do you think Huber should be forced to move?

This is an open forum for whatever you'd like to discuss, but please discuss something different than what's on the last open topic.

As part of the capital bill approved recently by the state, video poker machines were legalized and can now be added to locations such as bars and fraternal organizations. Read the original Naperville Sun story here: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1697207,Naperville-video-poker_NA080309.article

However, many municipalities disapprove of the notion of legalized gambling in their communities and are considering a ban. Rosemont banned the machines, and DuPage County is considering a ban in unincorporated areas. The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce will be discussing whether to support a ban in Naperville at its Aug. 10 meeting.

Do you think the machines should be banned in Naperville? Are they harmful or innocent fun?

For the most part, local parents, church leaders and officials say the 14-year-old parental notification law, which became effective today, is good for teens and their parents. While some teens say they'd feel uncomfortable telling their parents about their decision to get an abortion, the law mandates that they do. There are a few exceptions in the case of incest or abuse.

Others are concerned that the law is too lax, that young girls will just forge signatures. Doctors also have been granted a 90-day reprieve from the Illinois State Medical Disciplinary board. That means the board will not take any action against doctors for performing abortions without parental consent. Planned Parenthood says they don't need the grace period. They're ready to fulfill the law.

What do you think? Should parents have a say in whether their children get abortions? Is parental notification just a Band-Aid for the real issue - parents' inability to talk to their kids about sex? or that abortion is legal at all? Is the legislation too soft? Tell us what you think.

After the alleged antics of one 67-year-old in Naperville last week, riding a bicycle downtown sounds like a life-threatening proposition. Naperville bicyclists say this incidient might be extreme but riding on congested streets has been risky for as long at they can remember. But some say the real problem is that bicyclists don't act like cars. They don't take the right-of-way and sometimes, they don't obey the rules of the road. One even said a driver said he should get his "toy" off the road, according to a story Sunday in The Sun.

What do you think? Bicyclists, what are your biggest fears riding a bicycle? Tell us your sad stories. Drivers, what aggravates you the most about those on two wheels? Anyone wish they'd paid more attention and hit a cyclist?

With the economy in a tail-spin, gas prices never guaranteed, and a changing world that just might make bicycling the cheaper and fitter way to go, could bicycle ever really replace cars as the rulers of the road. Tell us what you think.