The following email provides timely information on news and services
from the City of Darien.
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Weekly eNews - September 21, 2023 |
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Mayor's Message
“We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love," - Martin Luther King Jr.
Several weeks ago, I wrote my Mayor’s Message about how Cathy and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We celebrated this occasion by renewing our vows in church, and then taking our family out to dinner. While we didn’t take any trips or host a banquet with friends and family, the simplicity of our celebration was our way of saying that we appreciate the fact that we were fortunate to celebrate our love for one another for the last 50 years.
This past Sunday, we had an opportunity to attend a “Jubilarian’s Mass” at Holy Name Cathedral in downtown Chicago. While this was not on our “celebration” list of activities, my cousin Rich, (who is also celebrating 50 years with his wife Maureen), invited us to join them at Holy Name for this beautiful event. When we arrived at Holy Name, we were participants with about 400 – 600 other couples. We managed to find excellent seats about 10 rows from the front of the church, which gave us a beautiful view of the proceedings.
While I found all of this quite beautiful to witness, I was most impressed by the Cardinal’s homily where he discussed not only the gift of a 50-year relationship, he presented what he believed was a gift that we all received that has assisted us throughout our 50 years of marriage; that gift is the gift of forgiveness. He stated that each of us throughout our marriages have experienced the “ups and downs” that life puts in our way, and in many cases, being able to forgive your partner for any of their failings, large or small, is a sign of our love for one another and contributed to our marriages thriving over 50 years.
The Cardinal’s homily regarding forgiveness gave me pause to think about not only my relationship with my wife, but my relationships with my children, my friends and those who I have come in contact with throughout my life. While I have always considered myself a compassionate man, I really need to go back and examine how well I practice the art of forgiveness. In the future, I will be more cognizant of how I respond to those who might offend me or one of my family members, and I will hopefully remember the Cardinal’s homily and Reverend King’s suggestion that “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love.”
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Fraud and Financial Exploitation of Senior Citizens
Mayor Joe Marchese and Police Chief Greg Thomas want to share important information regarding potential fraud with the seniors in our community. Fraud is big business in America, taking in about $100 billion a year according to the U.S. Office of Consumer Affairs and seniors are among the most commonly targeted. The following are four reasons that seniors are at greater risk of fraud:
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More Leisure Time - Longer life spans and earlier retirements sometimes translate into empty hours. Some seniors fill them with reading the mail and taking phone calls and visits from strangers offering “money-saving deals,” “can’t miss” investment opportunities and “big cash prizes.”
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Isolation - Alone and sometimes in failing health, seniors may respond warmly to crooks who may be the only people to call or visit them.
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Anxiety - Many seniors worry about running out of money or not having any cash to leave to their children.
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More Discretionary Income - While seniors may not be at the top of the list in terms of yearly income, they may have a greater percentage of their income not automatically taken up by the expenses of a growing family, college tuition, and so forth.
The following are some of the most common types of consumer scams aimed at senior citizens. To learn more about how to protect yourself or your loved ones, click on the links below:
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Reach Out - You Are Not Alone
It can be frightening and overwhelming, but it is okay to talk about suicide. Reaching out or checking in with friends can prevent a devastating outcome. Learn more.
Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or text "NAMI" to 741741 to be connected to help.
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Rail Safety Week - September 18 - 24
More than 2,100 people are injured or killed annually in rail crossing and trespassing incidents in North America. Be sure to share the following rail safety tips with your friends and family and remember to always be aware when near tracks!
- Make safe choices around railroad tracks and trains by obeying warning signs and always expecting a train.
- Stay off the tracks including when taking photographs or filming videos and will never walk on or too close to railroad tracks (it’s dangerous and illegal).
- Only walk, ride or drive across railroad tracks at designated crossings.
Learn more and take the pledge to be safe here. |
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September is National Preparedness Month
Once you assess your unique needs, as we did last week, you can tailor your emergency plans to make sure your needs are met. This can include building a kit that includes extra medication, having a way to store medications in an emergency and planning for your pets or service animals. Be sure to include the following items in your emergency kit:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least a several-day supply of non-perishable food)
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle (to signal for help)
- Find more suggestions here
If you’re an older adult or work with and support older adult communities visit here for resources. |
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West Nile Virus in DuPage County
The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) has confirmed the first two human deaths due to West Nile virus (WNV) in 2023. An Addison resident in their 70s and a West Chicago resident in their 60s who both became ill in late August have died. There have been 6 human cases reported in DuPage County in 2023. Read the remainder of this press release here.
Remember, the best way to prevent WNV is to avoid mosquito bites and follow the four Ds of defense:
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Drain: Drain those items that collect standing water around your home, yard, or business. Scrub and refill pet water dishes and bird baths regularly.
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Defend: Use an insect repellant containing DEET when outdoors and reapply according to directions.
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Dress: Wear long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes when outside to cover the skin.
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Dusk to dawn: Wear repellant outdoors during these prime times for mosquito activity.
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Electronic Waste Collection Event - October 16
The City of Darien will be providing Darien residents a home collection for E-Waste items. This service provides a more convenient and simple way to responsibly manage electronics that are banned from the landfill. There is no
charge for this service, though there is a limit of seven items including only two total TVs or monitors (or one of each).
Registration will be required and opens online approximately 3 weeks before the event. Late registrations will not be included in the collection and will require a special pickup fee paid in advance. The 2023 curbside e-waste event is the week of October 16. Registration is required by October 11 at 6 p.m. POSTCARDS WILL BE MAILED TO RESIDENTS MID TO LATE SEPTEMBER.
- Seven item limit including only two total TVs or Monitors or one of each
- Tube TV’s may not exceed 40” (inches) or 100 pounds
- Flat Screen TV’s may not exceed 48”(inches) or 100 pounds LRS may provide an estimate for a special handling fee of E-Waste exceeding limitations. If you would like to inquire about an estimate, please e-mail Service@LRSrecycles.com or call 844-NEED-LRS.
- Learn more here.
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Darien Resident Survey
As the City gears up for its annual goal-setting session, we would like to include your input! Mayor Marchese and the city council are interested in hearing what you, our residents, have to say about Darien! Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. The survey results are anonymous unless you leave your email requesting a response!
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Coffee with a Cop - October 4
Join your neighbors and police officers for a hot cup of coffee and great conversation on National Coffee with a Cop Day on October 4th! We will gather at the McDonalds at 809 Plainfield Rd in Darien from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Check out the full flyer here. |
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Planning and Zoning Commission Public Hearing - October 4
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Darien will hold a public hearing on October 4, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1702 Plainfield Road.
The hearing involves a petition from the City of Darien to amend the Zoning Ordinance
creating a section regulating Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. Read the full notice here. |
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
Click on the links below for more information on these upcoming community events! |
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September 23 - Oktoberfest: link
September 23 - Cornhole Tournament: link
September 25 - October 1 - Darien Woman's Club Fundraiser: link
September 27 - DGC Sprouts - Apple Tasting & Seed Saving: link
September 28 - The Crash of TWA Flight 529: link
October 6, 7, 13 & 14 - Darien Lions Club Candy Day: link
October 7 - Faith and Blue Weekend - OLP Fall Festival: link
October 12 - Annual Oktoberfest Fundraiser for Seniors: link
October 14 & 15 - Angela's Crafts & Pumpkin Patch!: link
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Darien Police Weekly Press Release
The Darien Police Department issues a press release each week.
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Darien Events and Happenings |
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Check out the City Calendar for information on upcoming meetings and events
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Check out the Community Calendar for the news on events from Darien community organizations!
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(630) 353-8114
City Hall (630) 852-5000
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Visit the City of Darien's website for information on City services.
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