CITIZENS COUNCIL SEEKS MEMBERS

When Katie Justak took over the helm of the Citizens Council of La Grange earlier this year, it was at a time when the group best known for recommending qualified candidates for election every two years was at a crossroads of sorts.

In the months leading up to candidate vetting, interviews and selection last winter, the Council's most active members representing 11 different zones in La Grange questioned and vociferously debated the organization's role, makeup, effectiveness and its adherence to internal bylaws.

At the same time, its former chairman, Orlando Coryell, was involved in litigation with the Park District, challenging the sale of public land to a developer, a case which still is continuing.

In addition, just like this past April, the Council's choices for village, park and library seats is often challenged, but some feel those instances usurp or weaken the Council's role in vetting the best man -- or woman -- from the job.

In April, a non-recommended Park Board candidate ran anyway and beat the Council's chosen challenger. Two years earlier, Liz Asperger challenged Council-recommended Ted Hadley for village president and won.

Still, one of the biggest challenges seems to be recruitment, and then, involvement in the group during, after and in between the biennial elections. A maximum of 88 members is allowed for under Council bylaws, but the organization rarely gets half that to do its work. At election time and now, when the next election is 20 months away, those numbers dwindle even further.

Justak, who has expressed hopes of morphing the Council into a more active civic group dabbling in governmental issues and concepts such as those topics explored by the League of Women Voters, is inviting anyone and everyone to the Council's next meeting. Residents from all parts of town are welcome to attend and/or join.

Held in the second-floor meeting room of Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road, the meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9.