'Disappointed': Darien Environmental Panel Axed After 39 Years

DARIEN, IL – The Darien City Council on Monday unanimously voted to eliminate the nearly four-decade-old Environmental Committee.

Over the weekend, a committee member denounced the proposal to do away with the panel.

But no one showed up at the council meeting to try to persuade aldermen otherwise.

Alderman Eric Gustafson, who served as the committee's chairman for nine years until he was elected to the council, said he was willing to give his time to save the group.

He attended a few of the last meetings, where he said he found there was no lack of topics. He said he wished the committee had fought for itself.

"I'm really just very disappointed," Gustafson said.

More than a year ago, the council considered doing away with the committee, but aldermen decided to give the members a chance to prove themselves.

Formed in 1987, the committee in its first years focused on solid waste issues, litter, inoperable cars and the selection of a city flower, according to a city memo.

The city argues that the issues are more complex today and require professional input. Some topics are now handled by other volunteer organizations such as the garden club and Arbor Day group, according to the memo.

At the meeting, Alderwoman Mary Sullivan pointed to a message from a committee member, Heather Conroy, that was sent to city officials and posted on social media Sunday.

She referred to Conroy as disgruntled, saying her message spread misinformation and inaccuracies.

In the statement, Conroy announced she was resigning from the committee. She told Patch that she now lives in Michigan.

"The committee is made up of dedicated residents who have continued to work hard, develop goals, and try to fulfill the responsibilities given to us," Conroy said. "Unfortunately, despite our efforts and our willingness to meet the City's expectations, we have REPEATEDLY been prevented from moving forward, presenting our ideas, and carrying out the work we were appointed to do by the mayor and all city council members."

At the same time, she praised Gustafson's involvement with the committee.

"Eric Gustafson is the only council member to step up, join the committee meetings, and actively engage," Conroy said.

At the meeting, Sullivan said the committee had not made progress over the last year. The city said the committee has often lacked a quorum and submitted material for meeting agendas late.

The committee, officials said, featured an outstanding membership, with Citizens of the Year among them.