Cuba Road east of Rte. 14 is plowed by Cuba Township
Cuba Road west of Rte. 14 in our village is currently plowed by Mac’s
For nearly fifteen years, our Village benefitted from the snow plowing services provided by the Cuba Township Road District. Inexplicably, in September of last year, Trustees Ekstrom, Croll, Riff and Strauss awarded our snow plowing services contract to Mac’s Property Management Services of Wauconda. The results have been abysmal.
The images above best illustrate the new service experienced by our residents this Winter. After a recent snow event, Cuba Township plowed Cuba Road east of Route 14 Lake Barrington, and the photo at top shows the results of their work. A photo was then taken of Cuba Road in our Village within minutes of the first photo capture, and it was plowed by Mac’s. The difference is significant and concerning.
At best, Mac’s snow plowing services have been consistently shoddy, with slow (or sometimes no) service being the experience of many residents. Lack of deicing is an oft heard complaint, and as recent as Friday’s afternoon snowfall, many witnessed their own driveways being plowed before Mac’s employees bothered to show up.
We cannot allow substandard service on our Village roads. The modest decrease in expense does not justify the liability our Board of Trustees has exposed our residents to.
Our Village does have an “out” clause with Mac’s, but Roads & Bridges Chair, Laura Ekstrom, couldn’t recall if it was 30 or 60 days. The point is moot, however, since by the time our Village Attorney sorts it out, Mac’s will be mowing lawns.
The decision to discontinue Cuba Township’s services has been a huge error in judgement, and we’re being generous in that assessment. We’re just fortunate we don’t have to call it a tragic one (yet).
The service, if you can call it that, from Mack’s has been PA-THETIC! They signed a 3-year contract with options, and they need to cancel it ASAP! For god’s sake I’ve spoken with our police and fire personnel and they’re not pleased at all.
Someone should be fired for this except the BOT is volunteer. The Village Administrator and Engineer are a different story though.
As a resident, I am concerned. This winter has been relatively mild, could you imagine if we actually had an active winter season? Mac’s ineptitude would really show then. Brian and Laura, admit you made a mistake and get Cuba Township back before someone gets seriously hurt and sues the village.
Observer, help us put this issue in perspective….Does anyone know what the specific complaints were and what % areas in the Village have been impacted by Mac’s less than subpar performance as being claimed?
Can anyone confirm if it has or hasn’t been cost effective for the Village thus far?
Also, as stated above, the Village does have an “out” clause with Mac. I’m willingly to give the BOTs the benefit of the doubt if services persist as such that our BOTs will take appropriate, necessary actions to ratify this issue.
Lastly, interesting reference to “Bilandic” – Is that a hint of “deja vu”?
Even though we’ve experienced a mild winter so far, it is clear that Macs are not up to the job. We were optimistic when the current board was elected ,assuming that they would extend the efficiency and management in place by the previous board. It became necessary for the Village President Cecola to correct personnel matters, which shouldn’t have arisen in the fist place. The Board needs to step up, before we digress to the pre–McLaughlin board.
Thank you for clarifying “legal xpenses”, incurred several years ago as Observer explained. As Tonto lamented, “White man, (and woman), speak with forked tongue.”
The real question is, will the board have enough dignity to admit their mistake and get Cuba Township back for next season? Will Cuba township even be given an opportunity to bid or will Brian and Laura just push to renew a contract with macs? (Even given their poor performance?)