Member-only story
Cyclogues (Rosh Hashana, 5782)
Once upon a time, I served on my town’s Environmental Concerns Commission. The ECC was an advisory panel to our Village Board of Trustees regarding the environmental benefits and impacts of its public policies.
It was a rewarding experience overall with a solid team that helped formulate village ordinances on tree preservation, active transportation and recycling efforts and promoting the general ecological welfare. For example, one particular accomplishment of note during my time as a commissioner, was to recommend to the Board, with the support of the Public Works Department, to allocate funds for a drinking fountain at the intersection of three mixed-use trailheads on our regional trail system within our incorporated Village borders.
I was nominated by a Trustee to serve with the ECC on the strength of my experience in volunteer ecosystem restoration efforts with the county’s Forest Preserve District, knocking back invasive species with herbicides and the collection and distribution of native plant seeds.
As with any community of individuals, especially public policy nerds, there will be disagreement and conflict. As long as there is good faith behind the points and counterpoints, the odds that sound public policy may carry the day are mostly favorable. Our village shares borders with no fewer than three separate Forest Preserves. One…