Bonnie's take on Cygan's "more ordinance" issue

Note:  the last one was posted late on our account.  This one has already arrived, so we posted early.

From Bonnie:

Question:  Your opponent, Ken Cygan would like to see more ordinances in place to “Implement effective gang ordinances that give police officers the proper tools stand against organized crime and nuisances.”How do you stand on this issue? 

 Although this is not a debate session, I have vowed to answer questions.

Do I believe that Bolingbrook needs more ordinances?  The answer is “no” Bolingbrook does not need new ordinances. 

1.    Many of the ordinances are outdated and need to be re-done to reflect the times. When you put additional ordinances in place, someone has to manage them and enforce them.  This means more money is needed and taxes go up. I am against increase in taxation.

2.    The current ordinances need to be accessible to the residents, like online or at the library. 

3.    We live in a high governmental state to begin with.  We do not need big government watching more of our actions or coming up with laws that could harm the law abiding citizens. 

4.    I have spent years involved in researching, lecturing, and serving on boards concerning law and crimes.  I played a crucial part of the Taylor Business institute Criminal Justice board for many years, which is the largest school in Chicago to train and award degrees to Police Officers.  Since then, I have maintained friendships with many peers who are FBI and Homeland Security Members that sat on this board with me.  I have lectured to thousand’s of police officers, and was paid to do so by now President, Barack Obama’s offices years ago.  I do not consider myself the top expert, but I can say that I have researched enough, been involved enough, and educated enough to say that I have reviewed the local laws and ordinances, and I believe that Bolingbrook has laws and ordinances already in place to maintain a high level of security for the residents without infringing on the public’s right, liberties, and personal freedoms.

5.    When you put something out there that said you want to add a “nuisance” law, you are not making our Village or society “safer”, you are chewing away at residents rights, liberties, and personal freedoms. 

Many people wonder what a law or ordinance for “Nuisances” would look like.  It would reflect the definition of nuisance.  This is the definition according to Wikipedia.  A minor annoyance or inconvenience; a person or thing causing annoyance or inconvenience; anything harmful or offensive to the community or to a member of it. The possibility of infringing on rights is too great with a law like this and will be abused.

·         Who would determine what a nuisance is?

·         How much would a fine cost the residents? 

·         How many children or elderly would get arrested or fined for this?

·         How many law abiding citizens would get fined? 

·         Who would regulate this? 

·         What would that cost the taxpayers?

·         How much control could the government assert itself in this law? 

·         How will this law stomp on the Constitution? 

There are too many questions and too many unknowns.

6.    Bolingbrook needs more patrol officers, and more gang and drug officers to handle the issue of gangs.  These are qualified individuals that research the problem, get to know where the problem exists, and go after the problem without affecting the rights of all the residents.  They are trained to keep the streets safe without additional laws needed. These individuals risk their lives for our safety daily and don’t need to be burdened with little ol’ grandma planting flowers issues.

As a trustee, I will not vote on anything that could use governmental controls to limit your rights, liberties, or personal freedoms.  I will also be very careful about adding anything that could increase taxes, as I believe in lower taxation.  I do not agree with Mr. Cygan’s platform issue and I do not think it is in the best interest of Bolingbrook.