UPDATE: Trustees React to Renaming 'Plaza Formerly Known As Blase'

Update: Trustee Jim Hynes, who was out of town, has returned and submitted his comments.

After Mayor Callero named an ad hoc committee to rename the plaza outside formerly designated for ex-Mayor Nicholas Blase, Patch asked Niles trustees for their thoughts on the matter.

Here's what they said (in alphabetical order):

Chris Hanusiak: "I am still going to push the idea that it should be a Niles Heroes Plaza and include the names of any village employees who haved died on duty while serving the village, plus any village of Niles veterans who died while serving."

Jim Hynes: "At this time I think we should leave the plaza as is and not be concerned with renaming it. Let's just get on with the more important items we have to deal with and put the naming of the plaza off until next year after all of the budgeting is completed."

Joe LoVerde: "I am not in favor of a committee to rename the plaza. Last year's survey results clearly indicated 905 citizens gave their input, which constituted the majority on the specific question we asked them. Tuesday I read in a local paper that the, "committee will make recommendations after seeking public input." I believe we did exactly what the committee now wants to do; 1,579 responses were submitted by the public. The question is what will the committee recommend if they receive public input to name it the Blase Plaza? Will citizens be told up front that the Committee will not even consider that public input?"

Rosemary Palicki: "I am happy to be chairing this committee.  I feel it is important that we take our time and consider all possibilities for names. 
Mayor Callero established this committee and saw that the membership is representative of different viewpoints. 

"I hope that the community will give serious consideration as to what name they would like to see for the Plaza. This is an opportunity for Niles to recognize its legacy and awards through the years.  It also presents an opportunity to review the landscaping of the Plaza. Ideas for sustainable and native landscaping could be considered.

"I personally do not have any proposal for a name at this time.  The committee will be reviewing all suggestions and making a recommendation to the Board of Trustees sometime after the first of the year.

"This is an opportunity for growth.  I am confident that, with the citizens' help, we will make a recommendation that honors our history and offers hope for the future."

Louella Preston: "I haven't  received any  other information regarding the creation of the Ad Hoc Committee other than the news release I received November 4, 2011.  I will have no public comment until after I have spoken with other Board members."

Andrew Przybylo: "I do not understand why a plaza has to be named for anyone or group. It first existed for many years without a name.   I think this controversey should go away for a while and I am disappointed that we should take the time away from many other important issues."

Trustee Jim Hynes has not yet responded, but Patch will update if he does.

Earlier:

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