This is ok, we don't have to agree. If you think the dumpster area I spoke of that sits a few feet from Pontoon Road at that daycare is acceptable with the way it looks, we really don't have much to talk about here.

You can appreciate the park you mentioned where the PATB is held, but at the same time, there is much more to the village than that park and the PATB and other concerts.

I'm not saying I don't have any faith in the mayor and trustees, but I am saying this is not a new administration. How long has it been since the Denham years, at least 12 years ago, so I would hope you would see some improvements in 12 years.

As far as me being ashamed of living in the area, with the way it is being allowed to look, I am. Even if that strikes a nerve with you. Hopefully it will strike enough nerves to make cleaning the area up a priority.

I have never witnessed such Edwardsville envy as I've read on this board over the years. What makes you think I envy Edwardsville or want the village to look like it? I Just want clean, weed free streets. Dumpsters that are allowed to sit on the main street of the village to have to be maintained and in decent shape, and for our police force to possibly patrol Pontoon Road and some neighborhoods more often to get these people lurking in the shadows during the night, moving along.

I think it's a little unrealistic to expect residents to grab a broom and attempt to clean off Pontoon Road, as you say you do your own street, but whatever. I also have no problem with the area around the warehouses, if the entire village looked that clean and updated, we wouldn't be having this conversation. The restaurant you mention that is going in near the Amazon warehouse was announced well over a year ago and there it still sits not even half way built, although I read somewhere that some zoning/legal, mapping issues did crop up that delayed the project.

Hopefully everyone who may see the problems that I do and wants better for the village takes a pass on your advice to just move away. I would rather see the problems taken care of than have to sell my home. Although I am looking at retirement and doing just that is not completely off the table.